Grand Forks, incorporated in 1881, is located in the Valley Region of North Dakota in Grand Forks County and serves as the county seat. It lies about 80 miles north of Fargo along U.S. Highway 2 on the banks of the Red River of the North. The city also is near Turtle River State Park and Grand Forks Air Force Base. Grand Forks and its Minnesota neighbor, East Grand Forks, are called the "Grand Cities."

The area was settled by French fur traders who called their river campsite "La Grandes Fourches." Eventually, the city became a major stop on the Great Northern Railway which accelerated its growth.

Today Grand Forks has tall grain elevators and flour mills. Other plants process dairy products, meat, potatoes and sugar beets.

Grand Forks is home to University of North Dakota which supports the only Division I hockey team in the state. Attractions include the 92-year-old Grand Forks Symphony and the UND Chester Fritz auditorium, noted for its fine acoustics.

Public golf courses include Kings Walk, Ray Richards GC and Lincoln Park GC.