These NC and SC towns have more college students than residents, report says

Both North and South Carolina are home to a number of popular colleges and universities, but a new report is shedding light on which towns have more students than residents.

Stacker released a list of college towns across the country with more degree-seeking undergraduate students than the residential population.

The list, pulled from Best Universities, is compiled using data from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and 2021 5-year population estimates from the Census Bureau.

It doesn’t include every town or city outnumbered by college students, and where there are multiple schools in town, the largest university is listed. Students who were enrolled exclusively in distance learning are not included, the report says.

Here’s which college towns in the Carolinas were included:

Clemson, South Carolina

School: Clemson University

Student population: 21,181

Residential population: 17,238

“European immigrants settled on the banks of the Keowee River—originally Cherokee land—in the early 19th century,” the report says. “The settlement was named Calhoun, but it later changed to honor the indivisible relationship that links it to Clemson University, the town’s cultural center and economic backbone.”

Pendleton, South Carolina

School: Tri-County Technical College

Residential population: 3,447

Student population: 4,790

“The entire 3.8-square-mile town is a registered historical site,” the report says. “Most nonstudent residents own their homes, and the quality of life is considered optimal.”

Cullowhee, North Carolina

School: Western Carolina University

Residential population: 6,538

Student population: 8,771

“The Great Smoky Mountains are the incomparable backdrop that embellishes Cullowhee, known as the Valley of the Lilies,” the report says. “The area is home to West Carolina University, which offers more than 115 undergraduate majors and over 40 graduate programs.”