 Grand Forks is the third @-@ largest city in the State of North Dakota ( after Fargo and Bismarck ) and the county seat of Grand Forks County . According to the 2010 census , the city 's population was 52 @,@ 838 , while that of the city and surrounding metropolitan area was 98 @,@ 461 . Grand Forks , along with its twin city of East Grand Forks , Minnesota , forms the center of the Grand Forks , ND @-@ MN Metropolitan Statistical Area , which is often called Greater Grand Forks or The Grand Cities . 
