Elon University - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Elon is in the middle of many other universities, including UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Greensboro, Duke, NC State, and Wake Forest. The town of Elon is very small, around 5,000–10,000 inhabitants (including university students and surrounding rural areas). The city of Burlington, which is about five minutes away, has a population of 47,592 inhabitants. Although that is a considerable population, many students complain about Burlington being too boring, though some like the quiet atmosphere. If you’re looking for a city with buildings taller than three stories, buses, metros, and people always busy going somewhere, Burlington is not the best area.

Burlington recently added Alamance Crossing, a shopping center with 41 stores and 11 restaurants. Other than that, there is a large variety of fast food restaurants and some “gems” that you have to search for. The city of Greensboro has many clubs and malls, the most popular of which is the Four Seasons mall. Raleigh has Southpoint, which is a more upscale mall with many popular stores. Most of the local entertainment comes from Elon’s campus or trips out of town.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

I love the location that our... I love the location that our school is in. We are very close to lots of other large cities and universities so even if there’s not something going on here, you don’t have to travel too far to find something to do. There are many movie theaters, bowling lanes, skating rinks, parks, and many museums that are always interesting to visit. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The atmosphere in the town of Elon... The atmosphere in the town of Elon is one of strong community. The University and the town seem to coexist very well. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The atmosphere is quite relaxing... The atmosphere is quite relaxing and helpful. You can always find people and businesses around willing to help you survive in college and assist organizational projects. You should stay away from the police. Be smart and do that by making wise decisions on where, when and how to party. You might want to visit Wal-Mart; it’s the place to go in Burlington, whether you have money or not, to shop. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Elon University is in a very small... Elon University is in a very small town. It is near both Burlington, NC and Greensboro, NC. There are no other universities in Elon, but there are other universities in somewhat close vicinity, including UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Greensboro. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The town of Elon is quite small,... The town of Elon is quite small, but Burlington has some fun stuff to do, while Greensboro and Chapel Hill are just 30-minute drives away. There are some great restaurants around and quite a few open really late or 24 hours, which is really nice! 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Elon/Burlington:
• Elon is the Hebrew word for “oak.”
• The city of Burlington is the largest city in Alamance County.
• Alamance Battleground, in Burlington, was where the War of the Regulators was fought; this is said to be an example of the problems leading up to the American Revolution. The Regulators, an army of rebellious farmers, battled Governor William Tryon’s militia in 1771.
• Every fall, the town of Elon comes together to celebrate the Festival of the Oaks. It occurs right on the streets of Elon University. Families come for food, live entertainment, craft sales, and a play area for the kids.
• Alamance, the name of the county and one of the main buildings at Elon University, comes from the local Native American word for the blue mud which is found in the local creeks and rivers.

Famous People from Elon/Burlington:
Jack McKeon, Keegan Pace

Local Slang:
Carolina Blue – A specific shade of blue. It can usually be found on sweatshirts of local colleges against a gray background.
State – depending on the topic, this word may actually mean “NC State University,” shortened to just “State.”
Stoked: Excited.
Sweet Tea – A type of tea brewed differently from regular tea, giving it a sweet taste. Fans say it’s like adding sugar to your tea, but the taste is even better, even sweeter. That’s why it’s a favorite around here.
Y’all – You all. Some people have a slight accent, so this is particularly a common word.

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Lauren Flood
Hometown: Ridgefield, CT
Major: Business Administration (Minor: Leadership)

Lauren is excited to be studying abroad for the first time next fall in Florence, Italy!

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