Moorhead, Minnesota

Welcome to Moorhead, a vibrant city located in Clay County, Minnesota, United States. Situated on the banks of the Red River of the North, Moorhead is a part of the Fargo–Moorhead ND-MN Metropolitan Area and is known for its fertile agricultural land and thriving manufacturing industries. With a population of 44,505 according to the 2020 census, Moorhead is a bustling city that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Join us as we explore the many attractions and experiences that make Moorhead a must-visit destination.

History:
Moorhead was platted in 1871 and named after William Galloway Moorhead, an official of the Northern Pacific Railway. The city has a rich history, and one of its notable landmarks is the former Moorhead Armory, which was the intended concert destination for musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper before their fatal plane crash in 1959. Today, the site is home to Ecumen Evergreens, a senior living property.

Geography:
Moorhead is located in the Red River Valley, an area known for its fertile land and agricultural productivity. The city is adjacent to the Red River and lies on the lake bed of glacial Lake Agassiz, which drained between 9,900 and 11,000 years ago. The city has a total area of 19.80 square miles (51.28 km2), all land.

Demographics:
According to the 2010–2012 American Community Survey, the racial composition of Moorhead was as follows: White: 90.4%, Black or African American: 2.1%, American Indian: 1.3%, Asian: 1.5%, Pacific Islander: 0.1%, Some other race: 1.2%, Two or more races: 3.4%, Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 4.3%. The city has a diverse population, with the top ten European ancestries being Norwegian, German, Swedish, Irish, English, French, Polish, American, Italian, and Dutch.

Arts and Culture:
Moorhead is a city that celebrates its cultural heritage and is home to several museums and art galleries. The Rourke Art Gallery and the Rourke Art Museum are native Moorhead cultural institutions that host the annual Midwestern Invitational Exhibition. The museum displays an important art collection from local, regional, and national artists. The city is also home to the Bluestem Center for the Arts, a 3,000 seat outdoor amphitheater that hosts a summer concert series featuring famous bands such as Wilco, Goo Goo Dolls, The Beach Boys, and Weezer. The Hjemkomst Center is a local museum containing a full-scale replica of a Viking ship of the same name. The Clay County Museum and Archives, operated by the Clay County Historical Society, interprets the history of Clay County in a free museum in the lower level of the Hjemkomst Center. The Society has more than 30,000 artifacts in their collection, one of the largest and most important historic collections in Minnesota outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

Sports:
Moorhead is a city that loves sports, and hockey has emerged as a favorite sport of the community. The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks is an independent professional baseball team that plays at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo. The city has produced a number of talented hockey players, including Jason Blake, Ryan Kraft, Matt Cullen, Mark Cullen