Moorhead, Minnesota


Moorhead is a city in and the county seat of Clay County, Minnesota, United States, on the banks of the Red River of the North. Located in the Red River Valley, an extremely fertile and active agricultural region, Moorhead is home to several corporations and manufacturing industries. Across the river from Fargo, North Dakota and next to Dilworth, Minnesota, Moorhead forms part of the core of the Fargo–Moorhead ND-MN Metropolitan Area. The population was 44,505 at the 2020 census. Moorhead is a hub of higher education in Minnesota, home to Minnesota State University Moorhead, Concordia College, and a campus of Minnesota State Community and Technical College.
Platted in 1871, the city was named for William Galloway Moorhead, an official of the Northern Pacific Railway.

History

The city was platted in 1871 and named for William Galloway Moorhead, a Northern Pacific Railway official and brother-in-law of financier Jay Cooke.
The former Moorhead Armory on 5th Street South was the site of the intended concert destination for musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper before their fatal plane crash a few miles north of Clear Lake, Iowa, around 1 a.m. on February 3, 1959. The building was demolished in 1990 and is now the site of Ecumen Evergreens, a senior living property.
Moorhead is home to the first Dairy Queen to sell Dilly Bars. The Moorhead Dairy Queen is also one of only a few Dairy Queens operating on a contract, signed in 1949, that allows it to feature products not approved by corporate headquarters. One example is the chipper sandwich, vanilla ice cream sandwiched between chocolate chip cookies and dipped in chocolate.

Geography

Moorhead is adjacent to the Red River in the Red River Valley. The land around the Fargo–Moorhead area is some of the world's flattest and richest for agricultural uses. This is because it lies on the bed of glacial Lake Agassiz, which drained between 9,900 and 11,000 years ago.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of, of which is land and is water.

Climate

Partly due to its location in the Great Plains, Moorhead has a warm-summer humid continental climate, with warm, humid summers and cold winters averaging around 53 inches of snow.

Demographics

2020 census

According to the 2018–2022 American Community Survey, the racial composition was as follows:
  • White: 85.1%
  • Black or African American: 6.1%
  • American Indian: 1.4%
  • Asian: 1.8%
  • Pacific Islander: 0.2%
  • Some other race: 1.6%
  • Two or more races: 5.0%
  • Hispanic or Latino : 5.1%
As of the 2020 census, there were 44,505 people, 17,063 households, and 10,064 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 18,348 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 81.6% White, 6.7% African American, 2.1% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.6% from some other races and 6.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.3% of the population. 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18, 6.8% were under 5 years of age, and 12.4% were 65 and older. The most reported ancestries in 2020 were:
The Moorhead also area has a Kurdish community of about 3,500.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 38,065 people, 14,304 households, and 8,372 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 15,274 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 90.7% White, 2.0% African American, 1.5% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.1% of the population.
There were 14,304 households, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.5% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.97.
The median age in the city was 28.3 years. 20.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 23.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 to 44; 20.5% were from 45 to 64; and 11.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census

According to the 2006–2008 American Community Survey, the top ten European ancestries were the following:
  • Norwegian: 36.1%
  • German: 36.0%
  • Swedish: 7.6%
  • Irish: 7.2%
  • English: 4.7%
  • French: 3.7%
  • Polish: 3.6%
  • American: 2.3%
  • Italian: 1.5%
  • Dutch: 1.4%
As of the 2000 census, there were 32,177 people, 11,660 households, and 7,030 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 12,180 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 92.08% White, 0.77% African American, 1.94% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.10% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.47% of the population.
There were 11,660 households, out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 23.1% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 17.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,781, and the median income for a family was $49,118. Males had a median income of $33,137 versus $23,717 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,150. About 8.2% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

YearRepublicanDemocraticThird parties
202441.8% 8,87555.7% 11,8102.4% 520
202040.6% 8,45956.7% 11,8092.7% 555
201641.0% 7,89348.7% 9,39010.3% 1,983
201241.3% 7,60955.8% 10,2782.9% 530
200839.3% 7,24958.8% 10,8401.9% 359
200450.0% 8,51548.5% 8,2541.5% 247
200048.8% 6,93044.7% 6,3576.5% 929
199642.9% 5,42450.0% 6,3347.1% 903
199242.2% 6,25742.7% 6,32115.1% 2,238
198849.0% 6,54151.0% 6,8000.0% 0
198453.3% 7,06046.7% 6,1740.0% 0
198046.3% 5,49637.2% 4,40616.5% 1,956
197651.5% 6,71146.7% 6,0791.8% 235
197256.4% 7,10042.5% 5,3491.1% 134
196853.9% 5,16843.0% 4,1243.1% 301
196443.5% 4,00556.1% 5,1590.4% 33
196062.0% 5,15437.8% 3,1460.2% 15

Transportation

Moorhead has multiple transportation options, with intercity buses, trains, and air travel available in Fargo. Locally, the city is served by MATBUS. Interstate 94 and U.S. Highways 10, 52, and 75 are four of the city's main roadways. Other routes in the Fargo–Moorhead area include Interstate 29 and Minnesota State Highway 336.

Economy

Agriculture is prominent in the area, and Moorhead hosts corporate, manufacturing, and distribution industries, including American Crystal Sugar, Busch Agricultural Resources, and Pactiv. The unemployment rate is consistently below the national average and property values are stable.

Top employers

According to the City's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are:
#Employer# of EmployeesPercentage
1Moorhead Area Public Schools ISD #1529002.39%
2Concordia College7842.09%
3Minnesota State University Moorhead7501.99%
4American Crystal Sugar Company6481.72%
5Creative Care for Reaching Independence 4751.26%
6Eventide Lutheran Home4001.06%
7Cash Wise Foods2990.80%
8City of Moorhead2840.72%
9Minnesota State Community and Technical College1370.36%
10Access of Red River Valley1200.32%
—Total employers4,79712.71%