Halstad is located in the heart of the Red River Valley, which is claimed to be some of the richest farmland in the world. Main crops grown are wheat, barley, soybeans, and sugar beets. The current population is 611. Norman County West High School is located in Halstad with the elementary school six miles south in the town of Hendrum. Total enrollment, K-12, averages around five hundred students.
Agriculture drives the economy.
Other major employers besides the school, are a nursing home and a rural electric company. Some other businesses are two cafes, a grocery, a convenience store, hardware store, bank, two beauty shops, two liquor stores, an insurance agency, a seed potato operation, and an engineering company. Halstad has a Lutheran and a Catholic church. It is also has a part-time medical center, a volunteer First Responders team and volunteer fire department. The community supports and closely follows the local high school sports teams.