Thinking About Moving To Horace? Housing Basics

Thinking about trading city convenience for more space, fresh construction, and a quieter pace? If Horace is on your radar, you’re not alone. The city has grown quickly and now offers a range of new neighborhoods, modern homes, and practical day-to-day services. In this guide, you’ll get a clear picture of housing types, prices, commute times, schools, utilities, and what to double-check before you buy. Let’s dive in.

Horace at a glance

Horace has shifted from a small outlying town to a fast-growing Fargo-area community. The U.S. Census estimates Horace’s 2024 population at about 6,286, with growth accelerating since 2020. Owner-occupancy is high at roughly 96.9 percent, median household income is about $145,800, and the mean travel time to work sits around 30.6 minutes. These details point to a suburban market with many owner-occupied homes and steady commutes into the metro. You can review the official snapshot in Census QuickFacts for Horace.

Local coverage also highlights how quickly the city has expanded and why services and infrastructure are scaling with it. For context on recent growth and public projects, see this InForum report on Horace’s boom.

Housing types and neighborhoods

Single-family detached homes are the standard in Horace. Most new subdivisions offer lots in the 0.18 to 0.25 acre range, with some larger-lot and rural options on the edges of the city. You’ll find a mix of ranch and two-story plans. Many new builds fall between about 1,600 and 3,700 square feet with open-concept layouts, three or more bedrooms, and attached garages.

Several planned communities use recorded covenants and architectural review, which helps guide design standards and neighborhood feel. If you plan to build or buy in a covenanted subdivision, review the documents for exterior materials, setbacks, fencing, and accessory structures before you make an offer. As a reference point, you can see a sample set of rules in Cub Creek’s governing documents.

What homes cost in Horace

When you look at prices, it helps to know which measure you’re seeing:

• ACS median owner value: The American Community Survey estimate for the median value of owner-occupied housing units in Horace is about $444,600 for 2019–2023. You can confirm this on Census QuickFacts.
• Recent sale prices: Market trackers that focus on the last 12 months show median sold prices in the low-to-mid $300Ks in mid-2025. This is a different sample and time window than the ACS, which is why the numbers do not match exactly.

In everyday terms, you’ll commonly see production new-construction models priced around the mid-$200Ks to low-$400Ks, with higher-end custom homes and larger lots offered in the $500K to $700K-plus range. Exact pricing depends on the plan, finishes, and lot.

Two quick tips as you compare:

• Label your data. Note whether you are referencing ACS median owner value or a recent 12-month sold median so you’re comparing like with like.
• Ask for neighborhood-by-neighborhood context. Newer additions can price differently based on location, lot size, and covenants.

New construction pace and timelines

Horace is processing a high volume of building permits. The city’s public portal notes a record number of applications, which can extend review windows and influence construction start dates. Check the latest status on the City of Horace SmartGov permit portal.

Builders often respond to demand by offering a mix of options: build-to-suit lots, spec models at framing or finish stages, and fully move-in ready homes. If your timing is tight, ask about what is in the pipeline now and what can deliver within your target window.

What to verify before you build or buy new

• Lot availability and hold policies in your preferred addition.
• Recorded covenants, architectural review, and any HOA dues. You can use Cub Creek’s covenants as a sample of what to expect.
• Builder plan options, upgrade pricing, and estimated build time.
• Utility service for the lot, including whether it’s on City of Horace water or Cass Rural Water. Rate details are on the city’s utility rates page.
• Any known or pending special assessments tied to streets, curb, sewer, or similar improvements.

Everyday life: schools, healthcare, parks, and shopping

• Schools: Horace is served by West Fargo Public Schools. A newer campus was built to support local growth: Heritage Middle School opened in 2020 and Horace High opened in 2021. For a quick overview of the high school, see the Horace High School page. District boundaries can adjust as enrollment changes, so verify your address at the time you buy.
• Healthcare: A local primary care option launched in 2023 when Sanford opened its clinic within the Shoppes at Horace. Read the announcement from Sanford Health about the Horace clinic.
• Parks and recreation: The Horace Park District manages neighborhood parks, paths, and seasonal programs. For current schedules, visit the Horace Park District.
• Shopping and dining: You’ll find growing clusters of services in strip centers like the Shoppes at Horace, with larger retail and grocery options a short drive away in West Fargo and Fargo. Local reporting notes that retail tends to follow residential growth, which is underway. See the InForum coverage of Horace’s growth for context.

Commutes, utilities, public safety, and taxes

• Commute: Most residents drive into the metro. The Census reports a mean travel time to work of about 30.6 minutes, which fits typical commutes from Horace to Fargo-West Fargo job centers. Check your specific route and time of day. Source: Census QuickFacts.
• Utilities: Horace posts current rates for water, sewer, and trash. Use these to estimate monthly costs and confirm service areas for a specific lot. See the city’s utility rates page for details.
• Public safety: Horace contracts with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement. Local fire and rescue and regional ambulance services also serve the community. You can read more on the city’s public safety page.
• Special assessments: In new subdivisions, some infrastructure costs may be assigned to benefiting properties. Ask for documentation on any current or pending special assessments tied to the lot or home you’re considering.
• Property taxes: Taxes are administered by Cass County. Use the Cass County Assessor resources to review valuations and learn about available credits.

Buyer checklist for Horace

Use this quick list to move from research to a confident plan:

1. Confirm your target area and commute window. Drive it at your typical time of day.
2. Decide on build-new versus move-in ready. Ask builders about spec homes or near-complete models if timing matters.
3. Review covenants and any HOA terms before you offer.
4. Verify utilities, service providers, and monthly rates using the city’s published schedules.
5. Ask for a copy of the current property tax bill and any special assessment statements.
6. If building, check current permit timelines and sequencing on the SmartGov portal.
7. For school planning, confirm current boundaries with West Fargo Public Schools.
8. Align your budget to real numbers. Pair your mortgage estimate with utilities, taxes, potential assessments, and HOA dues.

Is Horace a fit for you?

If you like newer homes, practical lot sizes, and a short drive to metro jobs and services, Horace is worth a serious look. The city’s growth brings active building, improving amenities, and steady value signals. With the right homework on covenants, utilities, taxes, and timelines, you can buy with confidence and enjoy a smooth transition.

If you want tailored guidance on neighborhoods, pricing, and builder options, reach out to Tyler Bretz. You’ll get local expertise, a clear plan, and a calm, well-managed process from search to close.

FAQs

How much do homes cost in Horace right now?

• The ACS median owner value for 2019–2023 is about $444,600, while recent 12-month sold medians sit in the low-to-mid $300Ks; new-construction models often range from the mid-$200Ks to low-$400Ks, with larger custom homes from the $500Ks to $700Ks-plus.

What should I know about school options in Horace?

• Horace is within West Fargo Public Schools; Heritage Middle School opened in 2020 and Horace High in 2021, and boundaries may adjust as enrollment changes, so verify your address with the district.

Is there healthcare in Horace or do I need to drive into Fargo?

• Sanford operates a primary-care clinic in the city, announced in late 2023, and broader specialty and hospital services are available in West Fargo and Fargo.

How long does a new build usually take in Horace?

• Timelines vary by plan, weather, and permitting volume; the city notes record permit activity, so ask builders about current schedules and check the public permit portal for context.

What utilities and monthly costs should I budget for?

• Plan for water, sewer, and trash per the city’s posted rates, plus property taxes and any special assessments; verify whether a specific lot is served by City of Horace water or Cass Rural Water.

Who provides law enforcement in Horace?

• The city contracts with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, with local fire and rescue and regional ambulance services also serving the community.

How long is the commute from Horace to Fargo-West Fargo jobs?

• Many routes take 10 to 25 minutes depending on destination and traffic; the Census reports a mean travel time to work of about 30.6 minutes for Horace residents.