Gilby, North Dakota | One of the Best Small US Cities
Population: 243
Average Commute Time: 26 minutes
Average Home Value: $64,700
Total School Enrollment: 207
Map of Gilby
and all the cooler places and things to do
Cooler Living in Gilby, ND
There’s a reason we think Gilby, North Dakota is one of the Best Small Cities in the U.S. If you’re looking for a small community with a big impact, Gilby is the place for you! Each year, Gilby hosts a geocaching festival with specially-designed puzzle caches, attracting visitors from around the world. The recently revitalized main street, playground, and community center creates a buzzing heartbeat and new residents are welcomed with open arms!
Schools
Gilby students share Midway Public Schools with neighboring communities ranging from Inkster to Grafton. With one teacher for every 10 students, you can be sure that your pupil is getting an individualized learning experience. Even better, Midway Schools offer 10 sports programs, music ensembles, drama, speech, academic clubs and even rocketry. Talk about well-rounded!
Housing
With housing costs 26% lower than the national average, Gilby offers affordable housing options for those looking to own or rent. The town’s rural setting provides and tranquil atmosphere, perfect for those seeking a quiet lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Healthier Living
With a state-of-the-art healthcare system just 20 minutes away, residents can access clinics, mental healthcare and dental providers. Staying active to stay healthy is easy, too, with tons of open landscape for walking, biking, or snowmobiling.
Community Life
If you’re looking for a tight knit community that takes care if their own, look no further than Gilby! It begins when you move to the community and are greeted with a welcome gift basket and a token for a free coffee at the community coffee shop, the Gilby Grind, which was created and run by volunteer community collaborators.
Livelier Events
Resident enjoy various community events, festivals, and activities throughout the year. A county-wide favorite includes the monthly Murder Mystery dinner hosted at the Gilby Grind coffeeshop, where participants dress up according to theme, don new personas, and collaborate to solve an assigned mystery. Other events range from chili feeds to spaghetti dinners, breakfast with Santa. Most notably, the city of Gilby hosts Gilby Gone Wild, a nationally famous geocaching events where the town population doubles in size from the amount of visitors. In fact, Gilby has been called the “Disney Land of Geocaching”
We had Grand Forks pegged as a temporary stop on the way to bigger and better things. The truth is, we found those bigger and better things right here in Grand Forks. Everything from the significant professional opportunity, vibrancy, and family friendly atmosphere led to this decision and we are here to stay!
Photo Credit: Cooler Ambassador Pam Shea
Whether it’s a personal or a general desire to give back, Grand Forks region residents truly feel a civic duty. And more important, they act on it, day in and day out. In Grand Forks, not only will my daughter receive the tools and skills to contribute to the world, but also she’ll absorb the values that’ll help her lead the world.
I love the people and the culture of the people in Grand Forks. I run into people who move here for a purpose and then end up staying.
It’s big enough to have good times with sports and shows. And it is small enough so you can get around without stress. You can get acquainted with lots of people. Or if you prefer the quiet life, you also can find that here.
It’s the people that make Grand Forks a great place to live, learn, work, play, and stay. You go to the Farmer’s Market and you spend 20 minutes shopping and 2 hours visiting.
No one is a stranger and everyone is a neighbor, which is so rare.
For a place where the temperature is consistently below freezing, Grand Forks is one of the warmest communities you will ever find.
Grand Forks is home to me. I’ve been fortunate to travel the world, but my roots have always been in North Dakota.
Everything from healthy economic growth, revitalizing our downtown, fantastic educational opportunities, and a family friendly environment make Grand Forks great.
What we see in recruiting is that people are very surprised with Grand Forks. It’s a real welcoming community. Whether they’re checking into their hotel or at a restaurant or store, people are welcoming them into the community.
I love that there always seems to be something going on with sporting events, downtown events, or concerts. It’s small enough that you’re not in a city with traffic, but big enough that there is always something to do.
Grand Forks Herald, Thriving Community 2017
When I was a student, UND afforded me such great community-focused opportunities and a chance to develop personally and professionally. I chose to stay here and help contribute to a culture so others have that same experience.
If you are looking for opportunity, for community, and just an overall great place to live – this is it! Greater Grand Forks has everything you need plus some, and if you desire more, major metropolitan cities are a short drive away. If you invest in this community, it will invest back in you tenfold.
I moved to Grand Forks 12 years ago, and since my first volunteering opportunity, this place has shown me it’s hunger and excitement to support new and creative ideas. Really, it comes down to the train of thought, “you build the event, and the people will come.
Grand Forks is a fantastic place to live and grow a business. The community is extremely welcoming, and the university atmosphere adds a uniquely charming angle to the city. I especially love that Grand Forks and North Dakota are so very well-known for their thriving Unmanned Aircraft Systems ecosystem.
Abbie and I were blessed to be able to grow up in Grand Forks. We decided that we wanted our children to have that same experience. We enjoy seeing the next generation of ‘Grand Forkians’ share the same love of our hometown.
No need to look somewhere over the rainbow; Grand Forks IS the pot of gold!
From the “I Do’s” at a wedding, to the smell of roasted almonds before the game winning goal, it makes me proud to call the Ralph home. And we are just a small part of the uniqueness that makes Grand Forks, “way cooler than you think”.
I moved away from the Grand Forks region after college but was thrilled to return a few years later and never left! This is a great community to live, work, and play. We especially enjoy and take advantage of the miles of biking & running trails, numerous restaurants, and so many lakes nearby for weekend getaways
I am so proud that the Empire Arts Center created the only professional theatre company in North Dakota,
the ETC (Empire Theatre Company). The ETC performs musicals and thought-provoking plays. They are
not afraid of edgy subjects either which is why I think Grand Forks is “Way Cooler Than You Think.”
An adventure always awaits! Whether that’s delicious dinner and drinks on a patio or a day of hiking, hammocking, and enjoying a river, you can find it in Greater Grand Forks.
There is no doubt in our minds that the greater Grand Forks region has the coolest seniors around. Older adults in this area are engaged, active, and lifelong learners. They are committed to giving back to the communities they love and enjoying life to its fullest
We’re neighbors. Every day, I see people being kind, being generous, and being there for one another. Grand Forks is cooler because neighbors work together to help our community thrive!
In what other community of similar size can you experience international touring acts, a multitude of sporting events, regional conferences, banquets, weddings, and other touring entertainment including family shows, monster trucks and more in world class facilities? We are so fortunate to live in a community where we can bring incredible entertainment to life in several area venues that all want to see Grand Forks grow and thrive.
Grand Forks is a community of opportunity. Education and stable housing are essential building blocks for successful community members. The community provides innovative education and support for affordable housing organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, allowing all community members the opportunity to achieve their goals individually and for the city.
After living in three other states post-college as well as other cities throughout North Dakota, Grand Forks has become a special place. One of my favorite landmarks is Belmont Road. When the early evening light hits the windshield just right and I’m almost home between CVIC’s downtown office and my house a few blocks from this enticing street, I almost don’t want sunglasses.
Grand Forks is a wonderful community to live, work, and play. It has so much to offer whether is outdoor recreation, entertainment venues, collegiate sporting events, and a strong school system. I can’t think of a better place to raise a family.
WORKING TOGETHER TO SHARE WHY GRAND FORKS IS WAY COOLER THAN YOU THINK
