Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Fargo, North Dakota
State North Dakota
City Fargo*
County1 Cass
City Population (2005)2 88,809 14.6% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) (Not Available)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 66 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Very Small
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Bismark
State Population (2005)2 609,645
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Dennis Walaker
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.ci.fargo.nd.us/Commission/MayorFurness.htm
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 701-241-1310
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Non-Partisan
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, June 8, 2010
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  Yes
State Governor Name John Hoeven
State/Governor Website http://www.nd.gov/
State/Governor Contact Information 701-328-2200
State/Governor Party Affiliation Republican
State Governor Current Term Ends December 14, 2008
«Back to Map     Top↑
Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.11    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 10.6%    
     Disability Status 15.1% 37  
     Emphysema 1.09% 17  
     Cardiovascular Disease 23.17% 24  
     Diabetes 4.80% 19  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.09% 3  
     Adult Asthma 8.17% 35  
     Adult Obesity 19.9%   21
     People Without Health Insurance 11.4%   11
     Age: Children under 5 years 6.4% 9  
     Age: 65 years and over 10.1% 25  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 9.0% 1  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 9.0% 69  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 11.9% 68  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 4.5% 2  
     Individuals Below Poverty 11.8% 12  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 10.8% 7  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 17.7% 2  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 6.3% 8  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 3.7    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 4.9 (of 51) 2  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 839,041 pounds   3
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 2,227,623 pounds 4
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 501,196 pounds 7
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 27,920,133 pounds 6
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 26,504,673 pounds 5
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 7.7 grams 8
Number of Superfund Sites in County 0 sites 1  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 0.628 tons per person 3
Recycling Rate (1997) 21.0% 34
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 684,351 tons 3
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.1 tons/person 12
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 123,480 tons 43
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 18.0% 32
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 0.0% 36
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 75.2% 43
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -14.3% 27
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    1.6***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 140,500 tons   29
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 75,900 tons   23
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 36,937,500 tons   21
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 2,210.0 pounds   34
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 0.0 days 1  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 0.3 PM2.5 8  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 7.9 PM2.5 7  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 0.0 days 1  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 0.0 PM2.5 1  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 7.6 PM2.5 6  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.006 ppm 4  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 20 ug/m3 6  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.001 ppm 2  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    1.7***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Upper Red ---  
# of Units in Watershed 8 units 58  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 5 units 57  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 5 units 12  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 100.0% 56  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 37.5% 49  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 19.45 inches 53  
Water Area Total, square miles 1,710 square miles 33  
Water Area Inland, square miles 1,710 square miles 26  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Bismarck ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 59 years 11  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 96 days 45  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Bismarck ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 59 years 16  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 44.1 inches 13  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 1,120,000,000 gallons/day 66  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 1,750,000,000 gallons/day 16  
Ground water, gallons/day 122,000,000 gallons/day 66  
Surface water, gallons/day 1,000,000,000 gallons/day 63  
Irrigation, gallons/day 117,000,000 gallons/day 49  
Public Supply, gallons/day 85,000,000 gallons/day 70  
Industrial, gallons/day 17,000,000 gallons/day 67  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 819,000,000 gallons/day 50  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 181,000,000 gallons/day 62  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier City of Fargo ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 90,599 people 68  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 15 contaminants 29  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 15  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 2 contaminants 14  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 3 contaminants 21  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 4 contaminants 10  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 9 contaminants 49  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 3 contaminants 29  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 5 contaminants 18  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 15 contaminants 29  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 15  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 54 contaminants 58  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 53 contaminants 55  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 1 contaminant 60  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 0 violations 1  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score)    2.5***    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 2,388.2 people per square mile 51  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 1,086.0 housing units per square mile 48  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 14.7 minutes 2  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 14.7 minutes 2  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 7.7% 72  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 0.5% 70  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 5.0% 21  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 2.9% 28  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 95.7 10  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 113.8 MV registrations   49
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 10.7%   4
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 56.8 MV registrations   47
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.51 MV registrations   49
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 86,782 miles   29
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.286%   18
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 2.1%   51
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.19 miles   51
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 125.05 miles   51
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $379,000,000   5
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $4,367 per mile   1
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 40.4%   11
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $35,510 51  
Median Household Income (2000) $35,510 48  
Per capita income (2004) $21,101 44  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $21,101 33  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 6.6% 6  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 11.8% 16  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 11.8% 12  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 2.5% 8  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 10.8% 7  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 2,541 people 2  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 3.5% 6  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 4.5% 2  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 3.2% 13  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 4.3% 8  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 8.2% 19  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 4.4% 20  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Same as Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.15 per hour 28  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 13,373 kids (2.2% of total pop.) 68  
Largest School District Enrollment 11,443 kids (1.9% of total pop.) 68  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 17.7% 2  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 88.1% 2  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 91.0% 4  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 34.4% 20  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 9% 1  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Middle of the Road   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade C   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Poor   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Poor   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 39,268 units 66  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 52.9% 20  
Cost of Living: Housing 69.2 25  
Cost of Living: Utilities 93.7 22  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 99.8 39  
Cost of Living: Overall 87.7 23  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 65.23%   16
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 56.50%   3
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 71.00%   4
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 35.9%   12
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 2,338.3 incidents per 100,000 people 1  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 49.1 incidents per 100,000 people 1  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 2,289.2 incidents per 100,000 people 2  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 2,611.7 incidents per 100,000 people 2  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score)    3.0***    
Average # of Parks, per square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Parkland as % of City Area (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Total City Tree Canopy % 1.1% 57  
Total City Urbanized Area % 53.8% 26  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users (Not Available) ---  
Disability Advisory Committees (Not Available) ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks (Not Available) ---  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.09% 3
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.17% 35
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.15% 47
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.09% 17
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 23.17% 24
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.80% 19  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 19.9% 21
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 7.0% 9
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 10.0% 16
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 6.3% 17
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 175.3 7
Cost of Living: Health 97.3 17  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 10.7% 9
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 11.4% 11
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 6.5% 43
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 0.7% 43
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 6 farms 46
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 3 markets 55
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 0 restaurants 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 0 grocery stores 54
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 0 other sources 57
Cost of Living: Food 100.0 27
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 66.0% 27
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 33.5% 11
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score)    3.6***    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 1 program   13
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by only one or more Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 100 kW   6
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 100 kW   9
Completed Climate Action Plans No State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries No   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds None   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 0%   20
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards (Not Available)   (Not Available)
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol Exercises Tax credit/exemption and/or grant supporting ethanol use   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes without ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1998 ASHRAE or Earlier (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) No ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 5.7%   25
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 56 years 12
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 55% 37
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 10.2 mph 20
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 10 mph 24
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 9.2 mph 14
Heating Degree Days 8,968 days 60
Cooling Degree Days 488 days 11
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 39 years 15
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 81% 33
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 58% 31
Elevation, feet 906 feet 54
 
«Back to Map     Top↑

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 88,809 66 (of 72 in EDN study) 14.6% of state population
City Population (2000) 90,599 66 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 609,645 48 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region Midwest ---  
EPA Region 8 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 38.0 square miles 61 0.1% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 68,994 square miles 17  
Watershed Name Upper Red ---  
Elevation, feet 906 ft. (275.6 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 6.8°F (-14.0°C) 72
Average Daily Temperature - July 70.6°F (21.4°C) 11  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 30.1 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 78.9% 10  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 10.1% 48  
Under 5 years of age 5,763 kids (6.4% of total pop.) 67  
One Race-White % (2005) 94.1% 2  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 5.9% 71  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 1.7% 68  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 6.3% 65  
Largest School District Name Fargo 1 ---  
 
«Back to Map     Top↑
 
1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
«Back to Map 
© 2006 Earth Day Network