Ibrahim Gardner
Whether or not university or college students are included in the population count of a city or town is a complex issue. On the one hand, students often live in the city or town where they attend university, even if they are not permanent residents. This can lead to a process known as studentification, where students make up a significant proportion of the local population and can displace local residents. On the other hand, students may not be considered permanent residents of the city or town and may not be included in official census counts or population estimates if they are not registered as residents. The inclusion or exclusion of university or college students in population counts can have significant implications for local economies, infrastructure, and political representation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of a college town | A town or city whose character is dominated by a college or university and their associated culture. |
| Student population percentage | Typically, students make up 20% of the population of the community. |
| Examples | Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Ithaca, Bloomington |
| Student population mobility | Students are not on campus for 4 months a year and will leave after graduation. |
| Impact on local economy | Student spending boosts local economies. |
| Housing | Students may displace local residents, leading to a form of gentrification. |
| Voting and political power | A larger population count leads to more political power, but students may face barriers to voting. |
| Census counting | Students are counted as residents if they live in the college town for more than 6 months a year or most of the time. |
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What You'll Learn
Studentification
In the UK, for example, the rapid expansion of student numbers in the 1990s outpaced the development of university accommodation, leading to thousands of students renting private properties in areas surrounding campuses. This influx of students can have social, cultural, and environmental implications for these neighbourhoods, and communities may resist it due to concerns about rising rents and potential negative impacts on the environment.
From an economic perspective, studentification can boost local economies through student spending, and towns may benefit from projecting a cosmopolitan image. However, tensions can arise between students and permanent residents due to differences in socioeconomic backgrounds and lifestyles. The high spending power of students may also inflate the cost of living in the area.
When it comes to census data, college towns often include students as residents, contributing to the town's political power and representation. However, students may face barriers to voting in their college town, and they are often not considered permanent residents, especially if they rent rooms off-campus and maintain residency in their home state or city.
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Student spending
The population of a city or town that includes a university or college is a dynamic figure. While students are considered residents and are counted in the census, they are often not present for four months of the year and will leave after graduation. This is known as "studentification", where large student populations move into traditional non-student neighbourhoods, sometimes displacing local residents. This process can lead to tensions between students and permanent residents due to differences in socio-economic backgrounds and can impact the cost of living and availability of affordable housing.
However, student populations also bring significant economic benefits to these towns and cities. Student spending boosts the local economy across multiple sectors, and their presence allows towns and cities to market themselves as cosmopolitan and culturally rich.
Now, let's take a deeper look at student spending:
The average weekly spend for students can range from $80 to $300, covering expenses such as food, transportation, insurance, and entertainment. Students also have to consider the rising cost of room and board, with on-campus housing costing an average of $11,303 per year, while off-campus housing averages $10,631.
To manage their finances, students are advised to take advantage of student discounts, choose student-designated bank accounts, and be mindful of small recurring expenses that can add up over time, such as streaming services or subscriptions.
The Impact of Student Spending
The collective spending power of college students in the United States is estimated at nearly $600 billion. This significant purchasing power has an enormous impact on the local economies of college towns. The high spending power of students can inflate the cost of living in these areas.
Additionally, the presence of a university or college brings further economic benefits. University structures often include hospitals, dining halls, student unions, and academic festivities, all of which contribute to the local economy. The university may also be the largest employer in the community, with many local businesses catering primarily to students.
In conclusion, while the inclusion of students in city or town populations can lead to complexities in demographics and local politics, their economic impact is undeniable. Student spending plays a crucial role in shaping the character and prosperity of college towns and university cities.
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Student voting
The population of a college town is often dominated by its student population, who may make up 20% of the community. However, students are not always counted as permanent residents, and may not be included in population estimates or census numbers. This is because students are often only in a college town temporarily, and may not be registered as residents of that city or state.
Students can usually register to vote in their hometown or where they attend college, depending on the residency requirements of their state. Students can live in more than one place, but they are only allowed to vote in one. If a student lives in a different city or state for college, they may have to live there for a certain amount of time before they can register to vote there.
Students who are registered to vote in their hometown can update their voter registration with their college address. They can then request an absentee or mail ballot, or vote in person in their hometown. Students who are registered to vote in their college town can request a mail ballot and have it sent to their college address, or vote in person.
Some local communities may try to prevent students from voting, especially if they assume the students will not vote in their interests. However, students can make their voices heard by registering and voting, and it is up to the candidates to convince them who to vote for.
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Student inclusion in the census
The inclusion of students in the census is a topic that has sparked discussions and debates, especially in the context of college or university towns. A college or university town is characterised by the presence of a dominant educational institution that influences its economic and social life. The student population in these towns can make up a significant proportion, often around 20% or more, impacting various aspects of the local community.
When it comes to the census, the primary consideration for counting individuals is their place of residence. Students who live in college towns, whether on or off campus, are considered residents of that town for census purposes. This is because they contribute to the local economy, utilise critical local resources, and their presence shapes the character of the town. Excluding students from the census count could lead to underfunding and inadequate infrastructure in these towns.
However, there are nuances to consider. Firstly, students may not always register as permanent residents of the college town, especially if they maintain residency in their hometown or another location. This could lead to discrepancies in census data, as some students may be missed in the count. Additionally, the transient nature of student populations, with students typically spending only a few years in a particular college town, can make it challenging to obtain an accurate and stable count.
To address these challenges, census bureaus take measures to ensure an accurate count of students. This includes outreach efforts, such as setting up tables at student unions and providing multiple ways to respond to the census, such as online, by phone, or by mail. Accurate participation by students in the census is crucial as it helps determine federal funding for local communities and ensures adequate resources to support the student population.
In conclusion, the inclusion of students in the census is essential for obtaining an accurate representation of the population in college or university towns. While there may be complexities due to student transience and registration variations, proactive measures are in place to encourage student participation. This ensures that college towns receive the necessary funding and resources to cater to their unique characteristics and needs.
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College towns
A college town or university town is a town or city dominated by a college or university and its associated culture. The student population typically makes up 20% of the community, but this can be much higher in some places. For example, in Alfred, New York, students make up 85% of the town's population. Other examples of US college towns include Harrisburg, Scranton, Upper Dublin Township, and Ithaca, New York. In the UK, St Andrews in Scotland has the highest proportion of full-time students at 53%, while Aberystwyth and Bangor in Wales have 42%.
However, the large and transient student population in college towns can also lead to conflicts with other townspeople. Students may come from different socio-economic backgrounds and demographics, which can increase tensions and lead to issues such as the displacement of local residents and a reduction in affordable housing. Additionally, the high spending power of universities and their students may inflate the cost of living in the area.
The population of a college town is also highly mobile, with students typically leaving for four months a year during the winter and summer breaks and after graduation. This can impact the accuracy of census data and the representation of college towns in political systems. Despite these challenges, college towns can foster close-knit academic communities, with staff interacting frequently outside of work and enjoying a better work-life balance.
In conclusion, college towns are characterised by the dominant presence of a college or university and its associated culture and economics. While there can be benefits to having a large student population, there are also challenges and tensions that need to be addressed to maintain a harmonious community.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, college or university students are counted towards the population of a town or city. This is because students use critical local resources, such as roads, public transportation, and health clinics.
College towns depend on students' responses to the census as the results help determine how much federal funding these communities will receive.
No, students are not on campus for around four months of the year (during winter and summer) and they will leave once they graduate.
Yes, the large and transient student population may come into conflict with other townspeople. Students may be from different socio-economic classes than local residents, increasing tensions and causing issues such as the conversion of family homes into houses for multiple occupations, reducing the availability of affordable housing.
