Why You Need to Move to Rural North Dakota Now
Maartje Murphy grew up near Rijsbergen in the Netherlands, a pastoral area that’s renowned for dairy farming but has limited, sought-after farmland. When her parents decided to grow their herd to sustain the next generation of dairy farming, they moved their family to Alberta, Canada, and then to Carrington, a small rural community in north-central North Dakota.
Today, Murphy and her high school sweetheart, now husband, Casey, run Cows & Co Creamery in Carrington, where they craft Italian gelato with milk from the family’s dairy farm and gouda cheese made using Old World Netherlands traditions.
This sweet life in rural North Dakota, where the couple has purchased their own farmstead and are raising two children, is Murphy’s version of the American dream.
Rural communities, like Carrington (which has a population of just over 2,000), where the Murphys have put down roots, are an integral part of North Dakota’s identity. In fact, more than 300 towns across the state have populations under 1,000, with the majority being home to fewer than 500 residents. These areas appeal to those seeking a quieter lifestyle that’s marked by wide-open spaces, a strong sense of community and the opportunity to make a lasting impact in a place where connections with fellow residents run deep.
“I’ve always wanted to raise my own family on a farmstead,” says Murphy, a mom of boys, ages 1 and 3. “I love big cities, but when it comes to day-to-day life, I enjoy the small-town life. It’s peaceful and safe, and there’s a nice quietness to it.”
Ahead, learn more about how North Dakota’s rural communities are winning over new and former residents.
In This Article
Wide-Open Spaces in Rural North Dakota
*Courtesy of Rebecca Undem
Rebecca Undem is a proud boomerang resident who moved back to her hometown of Oakes, North Dakota (population 1,800). She represents the fifth generation of her family to farm in the southeast section of the state.
“I came home because my mom was starting a pumpkin patch on the farm where I grew up, and I wanted to help her,” Undem says. “My husband began farming with my dad, and now, we’re carrying on that family legacy.”
Oakes, she says, is an incredible small town that’s 110 miles from Fargo.
“That distance affords us a cool opportunity to really become almost like a mini city, and the rich, diverse economy of local businesses here shows it,” she says.
Connections in Close-Knit Communities
Casey Murphy, Maartje’s husband, has lived his entire life in North Dakota. He says he’s noticed that many young adults and families have been moving to the state’s rural communities in the last decade, many of whom don’t have any existing connections to North Dakota. Part of the draw, he says, are the ample job opportunities in fields like health care, tech and agriculture. But beyond great career potential, he thinks that young adults are looking to live in places where they can connect with their communities, and rural life in North Dakota provides an antonym to isolation.
“In small towns, you interact with everyone – you bump into your neighbors and friends at T-ball games or the farmers market or grocery stores,” he says. “Having that sense of community is important.”
The Murphys also embrace opportunities to serve their community, such as being involved at their church and with various clubs. Maartje serves on the local farmers market committee.
Undem says she also loves that in small towns, residents can make a huge impact, usually relatively quickly, and leave lasting marks.
“People in small towns can create the kind of community they want,” Undem says. “Certainly, that’s true of everyone, everywhere, but it’s a faster route in a smaller community.”
Business Opportunities in Rural North Dakota
Undem works in organizational development and runs a nonprofit called Growing Small Towns from a renovated Main Avenue storefront in Oakes that offers coworking space. The organization was founded on the belief that everyone in a community, even the smallest of towns, should have access to opportunities to grow and develop their skills.
“We prioritize a sense of belonging, offer a space for people to explore new ideas, and most of all, we want to offer the kinds of experiences that transform minds and hearts,” Undem says. “This could look like offering arts classes, featuring speakers or hosting informal gatherings where people can freely dream out loud.”
In her free time, Undem enjoys art, music, movies and huddling up in dark corners of local dive bars and having conversations about every topic under the sun with her friends.
Safety in Smaller Communities
As a mom of three, Undem says she thinks a lot about how to help her children develop a strong sense of agency, and the safety of a small town helps foster that. The safety in small towns allows them to test their limits of self-direction and problem-solving, she says.
“Because we don’t generally have to worry about their safety, our kids can freely try new things without us hovering over every move they make,” Undem says.
A Peaceful Way of Life in Rural North Dakota
Maartje Murphy loves the rhythm of life in Carrington, and her family takes trips to the city park, public pool, local library and Tuesday night farmers market during warmer months. There’s also enjoyment in the simple things, like going out for walks on a gravel path.
Americans live a very fast-paced life, she says, but living in the country allows you to slow down and strike the right balance between work and life.
“Once you get that taste of living on a farm or living in a rural area, you find there’s something really special about being able to go outside, take a deep breath and not hear a single thing except birds.”
This article was sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Commerce.