Bismarck is the capital of North Dakota, the county seat of Burleigh County, and the second most populous city in North Dakota after Fargo.

Bismarck is situated on the east bank of the Missouri River, directly across the river from Mandan. The two cities make up the core urban area of the Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The North Dakota State Capitol, the tallest building in the state, towers over the central part of Bismarck. The state government employs many people within the city. As a hub of manufacturing, retail trade, and health care, Bismarck is the economic center of a large portion of south-central North Dakota and north-central South Dakota.

If pure fun is in your future, or you're looking for something with an educational twist, we have the range of attractions to suit your desires. From amusement parks to science centers, you'll meet your match for entertainment in Bismarck-Mandan.

Birding, biking, hunting, fishing, skiing, or boating, Bismarck-Mandan has what you're looking for in outdoor adventure. With four solid seasons, you're sure to enjoy the endless possibilities that await you!

Neighborhood elementary schools make it convenient for the K-6 students to get to and from their classes, and allow class sizes to be kept small. Larger middle schools and high schools offer education for grades 7 - 12.

Bismarck's higher education institutions count a combined enrollment of more than 7,000 students the following campuses: The University of Mary, a private, four-year institution; Bismarck State College, a two-year community college; United Tribes Technical College, operated by the five Native American tribes wholly or in part in North Dakota; Rasmussen College, a private 2-year degree-granting college; MedCenter One College of Nursing, offering an upper-division undergraduate professional nursing program that leads to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Shopping and medical facilities are also easily accessible throughout the community.

If you live here, you already know that new residents are in for a treat! With so much to see and do, the term bored will never pass your lips! Why not come and relive 1875 at Fort Abraham Lincoln, where history comes to life? Visit the home of Gen. George and Libbie Custer at Cavalry Square and hear how they lived.

The hill above Fort Abraham Lincoln provides great views of the Missouri Valley with blockhouses standing guard over the fort. The On-a-Slant Indian Village has replicas of rebuilt Mandan earth lodges on the site of an ancient village. Visit the Museum that houses the nation¹s best display on the Mandan Indians, exhibits on Lewis & Clark and General Custer artifacts.

Cruise the fabulous Missouri River aboard the Lewis and Clark, a 150 passenger riverboat. This all-weather paddle wheeler docks at the Port of Bismarck, North River Road, excursion cruises, dinner cruises, moonlight cruises, pizza cruises, and family cruises are all available for your enjoyment.

If you prefer to be in the water, rather than sailing on it, look no further than the Super Slide Amusement Park, which provides quality family entertainment with a 150-ft. super slide, ferris wheel, go carts, bumper cars, miniature golf, batting cage and more.

Just as Lewis and Clark explored the Bismarck-Mandan region 200 years ago, today explorers search for new experiences in the Missouri River Valley and the adjacent prairies, wetlands, and woods. Although the Missouri River System is renowned for its walleye fishery, 19 of North Dakota's 23 game fish species are found in the Missouri. Some of the best natural areas of the relatively unaltered habitat left on the Missouri River System are just upstream and downstream from Bismarck-Mandan. This habitat is home to abundant upland and big game. Pheasant, grouse, Hungarian partridge, dove, white tailed deer, and many other non-game species of birds and animals are available for picture taking, observing and hunting.

Bismarck-Mandan community-wide events include a wide array of offerings such as farmers markets, street fairs, craft shows, rodeos, car shows, parades, sporting events, community fundraisers, pow wows, art shows, and so much more. Participation in such things continues to grow year after year, as events become more established.

Recreational activities abound in Bismarck-Mandan. From theater, ballet and symphony performances to golf, boating, fishing and hunting, Bismarck Mandan has something to entertain you. In fact, excellent programming and facilities provided by the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District put Bismarck at the head of the class and earned Bismarck the title of Sports Illustrated Sportstown for North Dakota.

Bismarck-Mandan boasts over 50 miles of paved trails for walking, running, biking, or rollerblading. Bismarck-Mandan¹s Parks and Recreation Departments provide a wealth of activities to choose from year round for all ages, and maintain a top-notch park system throughout the cities.

Excellent golf courses - seven of them - await you in Bismarck-Mandan. Hawktree Golf Club is on Golf Digest's list of the top 100 public courses in the U.S., placed second on the magazine's 2000 list of top new courses in the U.S., and is on Golf Week's list of Best Modern Golf Courses in the United States.

Bismarck offers three outdoor public swimming pools for summer enjoyment . . . the Hillside pool and waterslide, the Wachter wave pool, and the new Elks aquatic center. Ragin' Rivers Waterpark in Mandan serves up four slides, a "lazy river" to enjoy in an inner tube, and a children's water play area.

A vibrant arts community provides opportunities for participants, students, and spectators alike. The Symphony Orchestra, Northern Plains Ballet, Shade Tree Players, Dakota Stage Unlimited, Sleepy Hollow Theater ... concerts, recitals, arts and crafts shows, lectures, galleries, museums....the list goes on.

The Dakota Zoo in Bismarck is North Dakota's largest zoo, with 500 reptiles, birds, and mammals representing 125 species.

Bismarck-Mandan is simply a great place to live and work. It is a solid community of individuals and businesses that offer mutual support to assure continued traditions of working hard, caring for one another, and enjoying life to its fullest.

Housing Cost

Bismarck-Mandan¹s housing market continues to be stable. From older downtown neighborhoods to newly-developed areas located on the
Missouri River, Bismarck-Mandan¹s housing market thrives.

Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $141,284

Mean prices in 2007: All housing units: $148,220; Detached houses: $170,052; Townhouses or other attached units: $146,613; In 2-unit structures: $99,037; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $94,333; Mobile homes: $21,029.

Demographics

Population in July 2008: 60,389. Bismarck covers 26.9 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 1,700 feet above sea level. Area code: 701

Weather

Bismarck, ND climate is mild during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 60's and extremely cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 10's.

The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 84.50 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of -0.60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 28 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 21 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at Bismarck is 16.84 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is June with an average rainfall of 2.59 Inches.

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