The Fargo–Moorhead metro is a growing, two-state commercial market. Its three core cities held about 224,000 residents in 2025, the wider metro about 269,500, and Cass and Clay counties together counted roughly 7,300 employer establishments and 130,000 employees in 2023. Healthcare, logistics and construction occupations are more concentrated locally than nationally, and Fargo issued 61 new commercial building permits worth about $196 million in the January–September 2025 comparison period. This page explains what the figures mean for facility planning and how to compare the sources without confusing city populations, county workplaces and construction activity.
Population
| Area | 2025 estimate | Change from 2020 base |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND | 136,275 | +8.2% |
| West Fargo, ND | 41,175 | +6.6% |
| Moorhead, MN | 46,533 | +4.6% |
| Three core cities combined | ≈ 223,983 | — |
| Fargo ND–MN metropolitan area (Cass and Clay counties) | ≈ 269,528 | — |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates and QuickFacts.
The metropolitan total here combines the 2025 estimates for Cass County, North Dakota, and Clay County, Minnesota. It includes communities beyond the three core cities, so it is larger than their combined population. Compare estimates from the same Census release and geography: revised estimates from different releases should not be treated as one consistent growth series. Population describes the area; it does not directly measure commercial floor space or demand for cleaning.
Business establishments and employment
| County | Employer establishments (2023) | Employees (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Cass County, ND (Fargo, West Fargo) | 5,988 | ≈ 113,306 |
| Clay County, MN (Moorhead) | 1,306 | ≈ 16,761 |
| Combined | ≈ 7,294 | ≈ 130,067 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Cass County and Clay County, reporting 2023 employer establishments and employment. Establishments are locations, not unique companies or a count of potential clients.
These are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees. The totals cover many kinds of workplaces, including sites that may share a building or manage cleaning internally. They should not be treated as the number of buildings Northmark serves or the number of available contracts.
Industry concentration
Bureau of Labor Statistics data for the Fargo ND–MN metro (May 2025) show several occupation groups more concentrated than nationally:
| Occupation group | Share of Fargo-area employment | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare practitioners and technical | 8.5% | 6.3% |
| Transportation and material moving | 9.4% | 8.8% |
| Construction and extraction | 5.8% | 4.1% |
| Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance | 3.1% | 2.9% |
Source: BLS Fargo occupational employment and wages, May 2025. These are occupation groups, not industry employment shares.
Census data also show about $4.16 billion in 2022 health care and social assistance revenue in Cass County and about $429 million in Clay County. Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development lists manufacturing, distribution and logistics, healthcare, AgTech, bioscience, autonomous systems and technology among the region's key industries.
Cleaning labor
BLS reported a mean wage of $20.11 an hour for building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations in the Fargo metro in May 2025, compared with a national mean of $19.66. Labor is the largest cost in janitorial service, so local wage levels directly affect pricing. See our commercial cleaning cost guide.
Construction activity
The City of Fargo comparative permit table showed 61 new commercial building permits valued at about $196 million for January–September 2025. These are permits issued, not completed buildings or occupied floor area. Permit valuation is estimated construction value, not cleaning demand. The source compares the same year-to-date period in 2025 and 2026; it does not report a full-year 2025 total.
What the data mean for facility buyers
- Healthcare demand is high. The concentration of clinics and practices means strong competition for reliable healthcare-capable janitorial service. See healthcare facilities.
- Logistics buildings are common. Warehouses and distribution centers need janitorial programs built around shifts. See warehouses and distribution.
- New construction is steady. New owners have an opportunity to set clear standards from day one.
- Labor is not cheap. Bids far below the market usually underestimate hours.
- The metro spans two states. Minnesota and North Dakota rules differ on employment and sales tax for cleaning services, which matters for Moorhead facilities. See Moorhead.
Using and citing this page
You may quote and cite these figures. Please cite the original government sources listed below, and link to this page if it helped. We review this page when new Census and BLS data are released. For our service area and city-level detail, see locations, Fargo and West Fargo. For the company behind this page, see about Northmark. For building-type detail, see industries.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Fargo–Moorhead metro?
About 269,500 in 2025, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, with about 224,000 in Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead combined.
How many businesses are in Fargo–Moorhead?
Cass and Clay counties had about 7,300 employer establishments in 2023, according to County Business Patterns.
What do cleaners earn in Fargo?
BLS reported a mean wage of $20.11 an hour for building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations in the Fargo metro in May 2025.
Which industries are strongest in Fargo–Moorhead?
Healthcare, distribution and logistics, manufacturing, construction, AgTech and technology are all significant.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Fargo city, ND
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: West Fargo city, ND
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Moorhead city, MN
- U.S. Census Bureau: Population estimates program
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Cass County, ND
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Clay County, MN
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Fargo ND-MN occupational employment and wages, May 2025
- City of Fargo: Inspections and permits
- Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation
Published · Updated · Northmark Facility Services.