It is the seventh largest city in the province and is directly across the North Saskatchewan River from the Town of Battleford.

For thousands of years prior to European settlement, succeeding cultures of indigenous peoples lived in the area.

Early European settlement began as a result of fur trading by French colonists in the late 18th century.

[citation needed] Permanent European settlement in the area centred around the town of Battleford, founded 1875 and located on the south side of the North Saskatchewan River.

North Battleford, built along the railway line, was incorporated as a village in 1906, as a town in 1907, and as a city (with a population of 5,000) in 1913.

The immigrant colony comprised 36 men and a few women from the town of Urmia in northwestern Persia.

Eventually, due to economic hardships, Dr. Isaac Adams and a few close relatives emigrated to Turlock, California.

The city has grown into an administrative centre and service hub for the economic, education, health and social needs of the region.

[32] The prior year, Maclean's published an article about this, Canada's most dangerous place, North Battleford, is fighting for its future, discussing the safety initiatives planned by the community.

[33] After the article was published, Mayor Ryan Bater said: The reality is we require the provincial and federal levels of government to take notice of this and align their efforts with ours.

[34] City Manager Jim Puffalt added that the per person index may not be accurate because the population data does not consider the numerous transients, estimated at just over 14,000.

[46] In 2001, a problem with the city's water system led to the infection of approximately 6,280 people with cryptosporidiosis; a lawsuit seeking several million dollars in damages was filed in 2003.

Equipment failures at the city's antiquated water filtration plant following maintenance were found to have caused the outbreak.

The city also recently added a public transit system, in addition to the book-as-needed "Handi-bus" for people with disabilities.

[citation needed] The Battlefords were served by CFQC-TV-2 channel 6, an analogue repeater of CTV station CFQC-DT Saskatoon.