Grand Forks, ND Summary

Grand Forks is located in eastern North Dakota. It has a population of 52,500 and is the oldest and second-largest community (after Fargo) in North Dakota. The heart of Grand Forks County, the city is at the junction of the Red Lake River and the Red River and was named by the French fur trappers.

Grand Forks is the processing and shipping center of an accomplished agricultural region, which produces potatoes, sugar, beets, wheat, and livestock. The area was first settled in 1869 when settlers began arriving and the area grew as a river port for the shipbuilding industry. Today, Grand Forks is rated as one of the “Top 10 Most Livable Places” in the United States.

Even after the devastating floods of 1997, the community quickly and energetically rebuilt itself as the cultural capital of the region.

Miraculously, the North Dakota Museum of Art survived the flood undamaged. It is home to dance and theatrical performances. It also holds the state’s only contemporary art collection and is open daily.

Along the massive railroad yards north of De Mers Avenue is the 11,000-student University of North Dakota. Student activities from theater to festivals keep the community lively and youthful. A local newspaper, the Grand Forks Herald, is a leading newspaper in North Dakota. The Chester Fritz Auditorium is the place to catch the bigname acts as well as a local venue for concerts and various stage performances. The auditorium is renowned for its great acoustics — even Tony Bennett was impressed when he performed here. Grand Forks sponsors its own community symphony orchestra.

Also close to the campus is the Center for Aerospace Studies, which is open for tours. There are many eateries in town. For information on lodging and activities, contact the Grand Forks visitor center.

Grand Forks International Airport services the area.