Community > Quality of Life

The Fargo Moorhead community is ranked among the best places in the country to live, work, attend school and conduct business. To download the Quality of Life document, click here.

• Fargo Moorhead ranked ninth in the nation for dental health and oral hygiene, according to the April issue of Men's Health magazine. The study used statistics from the Centers for Disease Control for dental visits, teeth pulled and fluoridation of water. Flossing statistics came from Mediamark Research, a marketing research firm. (April 2008)
• Fargo was number 24 in Fortune Small Business magazine's top 100 Best Places to Live and Launch a Business in 2008. The magazine "scoured the country for towns that combine a great business environment with alluring leisure opportunities." Editors took into account economic conditions, natural beauty, affordable housing and easy access to diversions such as museums and fishing. The list appeared in their April 2008 issue. (April 2008)
• In 2008 rankings released by CQ Press, Minnesota took the top spot as the number one "Healthiest State" in the nation, with North Dakota securing the number nine spot on the list. Both states made the top ten in the "Most Livable State" category, with Minnesota at number four and North Dakota at number 10. North Dakota was named the third "Safest State" in the nation. (March 2008)
• Expansion Management Magazine ranked Fargo in their top 10 Business Opportunity Metros. The fifth annual Mayor’s Challenge is the magazine’s “Best of the Best” ranking of metro areas that have achieved solid ratings in the magazine’s numerous studies throughout the past year. These ratings are used to evaluate the potential of each of the metro areas in the U.S. according to several major categories. Fargo ranked in the 99th percentile for quality of life. With 99 being the highest possible score, Fargo was one of three metros nationwide to receive high Quality of Life marks. (August 2007)
• Minnesota was ranked number one and North Dakota number eight in the nation for child well-being. The 18th annual study is part of the 2007 National KIDS COUNT Data Book, released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The publication provides policy makers and citizens with factual data for making decisions that affect the futures of all children. (August 2007)
• On August 9, North Dakota was featured on The Today Show’s “America the Beautiful” series. “Amber Waves of Grain: Discover America’s Farms” highlighted the state’s wheat fields. Ninety percent of the states’ land area is farms and ranches and North Dakota ranks No. 1 in the production of durum and spring wheat. (August 2007)
• North Dakota took the top spot for the second consecutive year in the Reason Foundation’s report on the overall performance of state road systems. The Reason Foundation’s study measures the performance of state-owned roads and highways from 1984 to 2005 in 12 different categories, including traffic fatalities, congestion, pavement condition, bridge condition, highway maintenance and administrative costs. North Dakota tied with South Carolina for the top spot. (June 2007)
• North Dakota was among eight states profiled for their significant efforts to attract jobs, money and a talented work force in a publication released by the National Governors Associations entitled “Investing in Innovation.” The article states: North Dakota funds public-private centers of excellence that focus on state strengths such as surface protection, leveraging at least a 2:1 match from the private sector. The R&D experience of North Dakota is proof positive that finding a niche – in this instance surface protection – and succeeding flows from strategic thinking and a solid R&D foundation. (July 2007)
• Cosmopolitan magazine placed Fargo Moorhead in their 100 Hot-City Guide, citing the trendy Hotel Donaldson as the “Girls Night Out” locale. In a February 2007 article about Valentine’s Day destinations, USA Today stated, “Forget the Coen Brothers’ black comedy. Far from being a frozen wasteland, Fargo [Moorhead] has the makings for a dreamy weekend – starting with the sophisticated, contemporary Hotel Donaldson.” (July 2007)
• According to AAA’s annual vacation cost survey, North Dakota leads the nation as the least expensive place for a family of four to vacation. ND had an average daily cost of $187 for food and lodging, almost $100 lower than the national average. (July 2007)
• Forbes Magazine ranked North Dakota ninth and Minnesota tenth on the second annual list of the Best States for Business. States were rated on best growth prospects, best labor pools, best regulatory environments, quality of life and low business costs. Minnesota topped the list in terms of best quality of life, while North Dakota was in the top five for low business costs. (July 2007)
• Fargo Moorhead ranked in the top 100 metropolitan areas in POLICOM Corporation’s 2007 Economic Strength Rankings. POLICOM rates 363 metropolitan areas on their long-term ability to consistently grow in size and quality. (July 2007)
• According to the American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2007 report card, Fargo Moorhead is one on the cleanest cities in the nation. The study graded cities and counties according to ozone pollution, 24-hour particle pollution and annual particle pollution. Fargo Moorhead was one of only three cities in the country to top all three lists. North Dakota also received straight A’s for its air quality in the eight counties monitored. (June 2007)
• Forbes Magazine ranked Fargo Moorhead fourth on a list of the Best Small Metro Areas for Business and Careers, marking the fifth consecutive year Fargo Moorhead has made the top five in the category. One hundred seventy-nine cities with populations less than 235,000 were ranked. Factors considered included cost of doing business, cost of living, job and income growth, migration trends, educational attainment and quality of life issues such as crime rates and cultural opportunities. (April 2007)
• Downtown Fargo was featured in a list of ten “Downtown Turnarounds” in the April 2007 issue of Urban Land magazine. Since the inception of the renaissance zone in 1999, millions of dollars have been invested in downtown Fargo, rehabilitating storefronts, converting vacant buildings for commercial and residential use, and sprucing up streets, bringing residents, offices and even nightlife for downtown. (April 2007)
• In 2007 rankings release by Morgan Quitno Press, Minnesota was named the second “Most Livable State” (matching the 2006 ranking) and the second “Healthiest State” in the nation (up from number three in 2006). North Dakota continues its reign as the “Safest State,” a title it has held ten times in the 14 years Morgan Quitno Press has issues its awards. (March 2007)
• Fargo ranked as one of the 10 best affordable places to live and work, according to an online story posted March 21, 2007, on MSN Real Estate. Based on data provided by Sperling’s Best Places, the story notes that Fargo Moorhead unemployment is the lowest in the country at 2.6 percent, and its central location is turning the city into a leading air-cargo hub. The article states: “Downtown is classic mid-America with a mix of modern buildings and many well-preserved brick structures. Well-kept parks line the waterfront. Fargo is best known as a friendly area with a strong Scandinavian influence and a strong, varied economy including farm-equipment manufacturers and food processors.” (March 2007)
• Fargo Moorhead topped the list of U.S. cities ranked on 200 environmental, health and quality of life indicators compiled in the 2007 Urban Environment report released by the Earth Day Network. The report found that Fargo has the lowest percentage of population at risk from environmental hazards. The nation’s 50 largest cities and the largest city in each state were scrutinized in seven categories: toxins and waste; air quality; drinking and surface water; quality of life; parks and recreation opportunities; public health; and global warming and climate change. (February 2007)
• Fargo Moorhead topped a list of “15 Great Cities for Job Seekers,” posted on MSN.com on January 16, 2007. The article listed Fargo Moorhead’s unemployment rate at 1.5 percent (obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Sept. 2006), and the mean annual wage at $32,580. Predominant occupations include management, professional and related occupation and the largest percentage of the work force (22.8 percent) is related to education, health and social services. (January 2007)
• Self magazine named Fargo Moorhead the Happiest City in America for women in its Best Places for Women 2006 list. According to Self, reasons for our happy women include low violent crime rates, low unemployment, short commutes and the fewest number of days of depression experience by residents. Small population was also a factor, lending to close relationships among families and neighbors. (December 2006)