According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water. Four-lane U.S. Highway 2 serves as a main route in the city.
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,527 people, 670 households, and 367 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 750 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 94.0% White, 2.9% Native American, 0.4% Asian, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population. There were 670 households, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couplesliving together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.2% were non-families. 41.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age in the city was 43 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.2% were from 25 to 44; 21.9% were from 45 to 64; and 26% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,575 people, 681 households, and 379 families living in the city. The population density was 969.1 people per square mile. There were 739 housing units at an average density of 454.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 96.70% White, 0.19% African American, 1.52% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population. There were 681 households, out of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.2% were non-families. 40.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.92. In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 28.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $27,634, and the median income for a family was $40,521. Males had a median income of $29,688 versus $21,176 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,064. About 11.4% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.6% of those under age 18 and 21.1% of those age 65 or over.
History
The incorporation papers of Fosston were recorded June 8, 1889, by the Register of Deeds in Crookston, the County Seat of Polk County, Minnesota. Fosston was named for Louis Foss, who was an immigrant from the villageNyttingnes in Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway. Mr. Foss was the founder and owner of Louis Foss & Company, one of the first business to be established in the community. The city of Fosston is reputed to be the adopted hometown of Cordwood Pete, younger brother of famed lumberjack Paul Bunyan.
Fosston's boys basketball team won the first-ever state basketball championship in 1913. In 2002, the girls basketball team set the state consecutive win record, winning 78 games between 1999 and 2002.
There is one local newspaper, "The 13 Towns", with additional newspapers Grand Forks Herald, The Forum, The Pioneer, and Star Tribune available via subscription or at newsboxes.
