During a quiet summer, the town of Elon prepared to welcome about 6,000 Elon University students back to campus. According to Elon Mayor Emily Sharpe, for a town with about 6,000 permanent residents, the return of thousands of students can have an effect on everything from public services to local businesses.
“When you double the population when the students are here, that does mean more police and fire calls,” Sharpe said. “With more people comes more services being rendered.”
Those services extend beyond responding to calls. During the university’s 2025 move-in, Elon Campus Safety and Police implemented traffic and parking changes around campus including different traffic patterns, road restrictions and parking lot closures to accommodate new students and their families.
While the town remains active throughout the summer and continues to provide services to permanent residents, Sharpe said the absence of students creates a quieter environment. According to Sharpe, the town and university’s partnership has helped strengthen the Elon community as a whole.
“I think that things are very solid,” Sharpe said. “We have two-way communication, and I think that will just continue because what’s good for the town of Elon is also typically good for the university and vice versa.”
Sharpe said the town supports university events when the return of students brings an increase in activity. The increase in students is also felt by local businesses.
Beth Kelley, an employee at All That Jas, a locally owned clothing and embroidery store in downtown Elon, said summer is significantly quieter than the academic year and that the influx of students helps sales.
“As far as walk-in traffic goes, it helps tremendously,” Kelley said.
During the summer, All That Jas reduces its retail hours to three days a week. The store returns to its regular schedule of six days a week as students begin returning and shopping.
This return also requires preparation well before move-in. Kelley said she spends the majority of summer preparing merchandise for the upcoming academic year, including handmade stitched letter shirts for Elon’s sororities.
Kelley said the store typically hires three to five students during the academic year, including graphic artists and employees who help with social media and store operations.
“We’re just this cute little locally owned shop, that we won’t survive if people don’t shop or they don’t support us,” Kelley said.
For Sharpe, students’ return also provides an opportunity for them to become more connected to the town beyond the university.
“When the students are here, they are our residents, as well,” Sharpe said.
Sharpe encouraged students to explore local businesses and become involved in community events and organizations while also being mindful of the permanent residents who call Elon home.
The town of Elon hosts community events like the farmers market, Music at the Plaza and other programming downtown.
“Why not be part of this community?” Sharpe said. “Get to know your neighbors, but also respect that there are people who live here full time.”