Studentification in College Towns: the Case of Grand Forks, North Dakota

Keywords: Studentification, Gentrification, Higher Education, College Towns, Housing Affordability, Rental Market Dynamics, Grand Forks
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of "studentification" in the City of Grand Forks, North Dakota, a college town that hosts the University of North Dakota (UND). Studentification, a concept derived from gentrification studies, describes how the growth of student populations reshapes neighborhood demographics, economy, and housing dynamics. With UND's enrollment nearing a historic high and on-campus housing resources increasingly strained, student populations are perceived to be driving rental market shifts and altering the social fabric of near-campus neighborhoods. Community groups in these areas report rising dissatisfaction over housing affordability, neighborhood cohesion, and accessibility to essential services, with student housing demand further intensified by limited on-campus options.
This study aims to identify the spatial concentration of student populations in Grand Forks and assess how these dynamics align with established theories of studentification. Preliminary findings indicate that student demand is driving up rental prices and displacing long-term residents, underscoring both tensions and opportunities for community adaptation. Through a combination of spatial analysis and statistical correlation of rental and population data, this research offers a novel contribution through addressing an important gap in gentrification studies by focusing on studentification in a small urban area in the U.S.. The findings offer insights into the implications of higher education institutions’ growth on local housing, informing policy discussions on sustainable development and housing affordability in college towns.