especially: a permanent inhabitant of a town as distinguished from a member of another group (such as the academic community)
Every Yooper I've ever met was an uncommonly unique character – a real salt-of-the-earth townie skilled at mechanics, deer hunting, and/or ice fishing. Kelly O
… a question every intelligent and ambitious townie one day must confront: should I stay or leave? Ben Yagoda
—often used before another noun
This old school townie bar is located just off of Main Street on the outskirts of town … and it's the sort of place that I'd imagine has a regular clientele of locals who drop by on a daily basis for a shot and a beer. Lori Fredrich
fights between townies and college kids the townies are dismayed that all the venerable manses around the village green are being bought as vacation homes by rich interlopers
Recent Examples on the WebAll of the standard tropes are set up—the weird old townie who tries to warn the kids off, a creepy old basement filled with bizarre and ominous paraphernalia, etc.—though maybe they’re set up just a little too perfectly. Jennifer M. Wood, Wired, 30 Oct. 2020 Then Goodell walked the townie outside the bar, down the street and the incident was over. Josh Peter, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2020 Given the narrative of upward mobility that frames so many media reports and popular depictions of Asian Americans, a scuzzy townie like Nora is already a step toward greater, more inclusive, not to mention more candid, representation. Inkoo Kang, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2020 For longtime Franklin fans and new townies alike, something else is happening: pride is pouring over. Elizabeth Depompei, Indianapolis Star, 20 Feb. 2020 One sister got engaged to a Catholic man who attended Mass at Immaculate Conception, the townie church. Emma Green, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2019 For years, townies whispered about alleged weapons stashes in the steam tunnels beneath the academy. Emma Green, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2019 The one-time fishermen’s fave — a hole in the wall — now draws townies and tourists.BostonGlobe.com, 18 Oct. 2019 The memoir is a delightful, deft, familiar — and ambitious — foray into family dynamics and working-class gusto, a relatable story of the townies in a city overrun by, and dependent upon, tourists. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2019 See More