Bozeman Grows Beyond MSU

Historically, Bozeman has always been a college town. MSU’s influence has dominated the economy, culture and population growth of Bozeman. However, it has become increasingly clear that the University's cultural impact is diminishing, giving way to a broader community identity that extends beyond campus life — a shift that has not been met with excitement.

One thing cannot be denied: Bozeman is growing. If MSU were expanding alongside Bozeman, it would suggest that the town remains a college town. But Bozeman’s growth now outpaces the University’s. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, MSU’s population as a share of Bozeman’s population in 2012 was just under 39 percent. In 2022, it had dropped to 31 percent.

Due to this, I believe that Bozeman’s growth outside of MSU is reshaping the town’s identity, and Bozeman is slowly but surely moving away from college-town status.

I spoke with long-time Montanan and current MSU student Julian Staggs to see if he also noticed this change. When asked if he thought Bozeman was becoming less of a college town, Staggs said yes, “because the town is developing its own economy, growth and culture outside of the University.” His observation reflects the unique perspective of long-time Bozemanites, who are particularly attuned to the subtle yet significant changes that reshape their community.

However, Nick Rodgers, co-owner of Main Street Overeasy (MSOE) and Colombo’s, offers a different perspective. “I think at [MSOE], compared to when I took it over seven years ago, we have more college students [now] than we did at that point,” Rodgers said. He also noted that his other business, Colombo’s — located on College Street — attracts an almost exclusively student clientele. “So, I feel like it’s still a college town,” he said.

While Rodgers points to the continued influx of student patrons, his observations must be viewed in the context of Bozeman’s broader population boom. Even though these local businesses might be seeing more student customers, I believe this is part of an overall increase in foot traffic driven by the city’s growth.

Despite this, while students still contribute to the economy here, they are no longer the dominant force they once were. Bozeman is becoming more urban and diverse, diminishing its previous status as a student-centered town.

This growth is a sore spot for long-time Montanans who are uncomfortable with new development. A 2021 article by the New York Times underscored the sentiment that seems to be widespread around the state: newcomers are largely unwelcome. For many Montanans, the influx of out-of-state residents has led to rising housing prices, overcrowding and a perceived loss of cultural identity. For me, Bozeman’s cultural shift is the most noticeable aspect of the town’s move away from college-town status.

Discomfort in the wake of change is a normal feeling. As Bozeman grows and loses its small-town feel,  Bozemanites must grapple with this complex identity crisis. While long-time Montanans are experiencing a sort of collective grief at these changes,  it should not come at the expense of pushing others away. People will move to Bozeman, whether we like it or not.

With all of this in mind, Bozemanites should focus on preserving the aspects of college-town Bozeman that we like, such as community. Bozemanites can still embrace their history, even as Bozeman evolves — but that means accepting newcomers as part of the city’s future, too.