Market areas are not easily defined. In sparse places like northern mn they can be pretty large.
You take out your compass draw a circle around Bemidji in a 45 mile radius. You'll likely get 80,000 plus permanent residents.
Plus at least another 20,000 summer weekenders. It's "lakes country" so they are spread out. But Bemidji has both a Home Depot and a Menards which is uncommon for such a small town. Shows how far away people come (market area).
Don't think anyone thought the city of Bemidji had 100,000 people.
But it's growing fast. Faster than Fargo.