Income and Poverty in Fargo, ND-MN

As the median household income witnessed a decline during the period of 2000 to 2005 in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area, the Race/Ethnicity category that saw the sharpest decline in median income was the Hispanic Race/Ethnicity category. This category went through a decline of 4.6 percent since 2000. The Hispanic population group was least impacted by the household income decline in Fargo, undergoing a 4.6 percent decline in household income level, since the year 2005.

Contrasted against to other Metropolitan Areas throughout the US, the Fargo metro area may be understood as having a medium-low rate of poverty among its population, accounting a rate of 11.0 percent of the population with family incomes below the 1999 poverty level. The Black or African American race/ethnicity demographic group, represents the largest rate of poverty with 38.1 percent of the population in 2000 living in poverty. Individuals aged Under 5 years are witness to the most percent living in poverty in Fargo, accounting 14.5 percent of this age group in the area living in poverty.

Compared to other MSAs throughout the nation, the Fargo metro area was reported to have a medium-low household income of $44,541 (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars). This is 9.1 percent higher than the median income in State of North Dakota of $40,487 and this is 10.3 percent lower than the median household income level in the US of $49,133.

The median household income has declined a small amount from the 2000 values (inflation adjusted). The median income has decreased to $44,108, posting a 1 percent decline. The Fargo, ND-MN MSA, when comparing total percent of decline, ranks 10 of 10 metro area in percent of decline for the household income level in the State of North Dakota. Fargo ranks 228 of 233 metro area when comparing total percent of decline in median income in the US.

The poverty rate in the Fargo, ND-MN Metro has increased by 1.1 percent from the levels reported in the Decennial Census of 2000, moving from 11 percent to 12.1 percent.

It was reported in 2000 that the Asian headed households had median household incomes of $27,025. This median is 39.3 percent less than the all households reported median in the area. Hispanic households in Fargo, ND-MN reported a median household income of $30,956, which is 30.5 percent less than the median reported for all households in the area. The American Indian and Alaska Native households in Fargo had a median household income level of $24,445, this was 45.1 percent less than the median for all households. In Fargo, ND-MN White headed households reported a median household income (2005 Dollars) of $45,320 according to the 2000 Dencennial Census, which was 1.7 percent greater than the median household income in 2000. Black or African American headed households had a median household income that was 4.6 percent less than the all population median published in the 2000 Census, with a median of $42,513.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.

Demographic Profile for Fargo, ND-MN

Estimated since the year 2000, a high amount of people migrated into the Fargo metro area, with 2,128 people migrating in from outside the country. The immigration into Fargo makes up 57.7 percent of all immigration into North Dakota. This percent of international migration is high when compared to international migration per 2005 population.

The Census Bureau estimates in 2005 the median age in the Fargo metro area to be 33.0 years old. The median in Fargo is less than the median age in North Dakota of 39.1. Since 2000, the area has experienced an increase in the median age, when it was 31.5 years old. With a total of 11 percent of the 2005 population being made up of children and youth younger than 18, Fargo can be understood as having a medium-low proportion of youths. The working age population group (18-64) has a relatively high representation within the population, making up 67 percent of the population falling in this age category. The retirement (65 and over) group makes up 12 percent of the total population in the area. Compared to other metro areas in the US, this represents a medium-low proportion of the population.

The Fargo metropolitan statistical area (MSA) has a population that is made of 93.4 percent White, 1.1 percent African American, 1.1 percent Asian, and 2 percent Hispanic. The area population base can be described as having a very modest amount of racial and ethnic diversity, with 4.2 percent of minorities in the 2005 population base. This is greater than the State of North Dakota percent of 3. Since 2000, Fargo has increased in diversity when 3.8 percent of the population was made up of minorities.

The Fargo metro area had an estimated population of 184,857 in 2005. The estimated population has increased sharply, since its 2000 population of 174,679. This growth signifies an increase of 5.8 percent. Fargo ranks 1 of 3 MSAs when analyzing total population change in North Dakota and the metro area ranks 175 of 361 metro areas by growth in MSA population in the United States.

In terms of total land area, the Fargo metro area covers a total land area of 2810 square miles. This area has a medium-low density of 66 persons per square mile. Other metro areas with similar densities in the US include: -- more densely populated -- Madera (67 per sq. mile ), Laredo (67 per sq. mile ), Sioux City (69 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Mount Vernon-Anacortes (65 per sq. mile ), Amarillo (65 per sq. mile ), Jefferson City (64 per sq. mile ).

Datasource: Population Estimates Program, U.S. Bureau of the Census.