Even in temperatures that drop well below zero the friendly residents of Fargo, ND, exude a warmth that is both welcoming and sincere. Perhaps this congenial spirit is rooted in the region’s Norwegian culture – prominently on display at the Hjemkomst Center in nearby Moorhead. The center houses a museum and a handcrafted replica Viking ship built by the late Robert Asp, a local junior high school guidance counselor.Or it could stem from a belief that a town that plays together stays together. That’s certainly true of these twin towns. Fargo’s park district sponsors several family-friendly events during winter including Winterfest, a weekend full of indoor sports tournaments, and a range of other activities, from a cross-country ski race and celebrity hockey game to a day of free skiing, sledding and Clydesdale horse-drawn sleigh rides.
Job seekers take note, North Dakota holds the nation's lowest unemployment rate. Fargo's population grew by nearly 15,000 residents between 2000 and 2010. Much of the area's growth stems from gains in emerging technology sectors, which include health care, energy savings and recycling. Residents here enjoy a cost of living that is below the national average.
Population: 100,557
Average January low: -2 degrees
Average annual snowfall: 40.8 inches
Median home price: $143,003
Unemployment rate: 3.3 percent