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Bloomington is located in McLean County and is part of the Bloomington-Normal Metropolitan area. The city is home to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, which is recognized as one of the best Shakespearean events in the nation. In 2007 the publication, Computerworld selected Bloomington-Normal as the sixth most "techiest" community in the country. In 2008 Forbes.com recognized the metropolitan area as the twentieth smartest community in the nation. Golf Digest named Bloomington-Normal as one of the five best locations for playing golf in the country. State Farm Insurance is one of the city's major employers.
The Kickapoo Indians were the original inhabitants. The first group of non-native settlers arrived in the 1820's. Farmers were attracted by the fertile soil and agriculture became an important factor for the economy. Downtown became a thriving agriculture and commerce center. It has been noted that Abraham Lincoln, while working in the field of law would do business in the town center.
In the year 1900 a major fire destroyed most of the downtown. During the early portion of the 20th Century, Bloomington experienced significant growth due to agriculture and the building of highways and railroads and the flourishing insurance companies, especially State Farm Insurance.
The Bloomington-Normal Constitution Trail provides opportunities for jogging, walking and cycling. The city is renowned for its golf courses. The Den at Fox Creek is a popular four star course. There are numerous other quality courses including Highland Park Golf Course, the Links at Ireland Grove, and Prairie Vista Golf Course.
Bloomington is home to Illinois Wesleyan University.
Bloomington strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Illinois):
| Category | Trophy | |
|---|---|---|
| Short Commute Times (vs. Peers) | Top 7% |  |
| College Educated Adults (vs. State) | Top 10% | |
| Well-Paid Single Women (vs. State) | Top 10% | |
| Well-Paid Single Men (vs. State) | Top 14% | |
| Racial Diversity (vs. State) | Top 18% | |
| Walking and Biking to Work (vs. State) | Top 19% | |
Comparing Bloomington to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Illinois (State):
Ratings range from 
(lowest) to 
(highest).
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Well-Paid Single Women |  | |
| Well-Paid Single Men |  | |
| Children Under 5 Years Old |  | |
| Female Share of the Population |  |  |
| Male Share of the Population | | |
| Racial Diversity |  | |
| Senior Citizens |  |  |
| Age of the Population | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Portion of People Married | | |
| Average Household Size | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| College Educated Adults | | |
| Median Family Income | | |
| People Above Poverty | | |
| People in Middle Class or Better | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Short Commute Times | | |
| Walking and Biking to Work | | |
| Working at Home | | |
| Public Transportation Use | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| People Living Alone | | |
| Affordability of Rents | | |
| Housing Recently Built | | |
| Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals | | |
| Affordability of Property Taxes | | |
| Seasonal and Vacation Housing | | |
 | Bloomington Careers Bloomington career and employment information. |
 | Bloomington Colleges Bloomington colleges and trade schools. |
 | Bloomington Hotels & Travel Bloomington hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
 | Bloomington Mortgage Bloomington property, mortgage, and real estate. |
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Select a photo to view (Source):
Adlai Stevenson's residence between 1890 and 1901
C. & A. Chicago and Alton Railroad shops between 1900 and 1905
Track to be straightened in the Bloomington yards. between 1900 and 1905
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