Overview

Introduction to Bloomington, Illinois

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.

History

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.

Attractions

  • Challenger Learning Center located at the Prairie Aviation Museum provides opportunities for simulated space and science activities with team programs for students, the public as well as corporate organizations.
  • Grady's Family Fun Park includes a miniature golf course, go-carts and rides for kids.
  • The Pepsi Ice Center offers indoor ice skating and incudes a hockey program.
  • The U.S. Cellular Coliseum is utilized for sporting events, family entertainment, concerts and other events.
  • The Bloomington Extreme are part of the United Indoor Football League.
  • The Prairie Thunder participate in the International Hockey League.
  • Upper Limits Indoor Rock Climbing Gym has a variety of climbing areas including a boulder area located outside.
  • The Miller Park Zoo contains a variety of noteworthy exhibits.
  • The McLean County Museum of History offers exhibits regarding the history of Central Illinois.

Activities

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.

Arts and Theatre

  • The American Passion Play
  • Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
  • The Illinois Shakespeare Festival
  • Illinois Symphony Orchestra
  • McLean County Arts Center

Historic Sites

  • Ewing Manor is situated in a wooded environment and is a wonderful example of the Channel-Normal style of architecture.
  • The David Davis Mansion was designed with Italianate and Second Empire features.
  • The Vrooman Mansion is included in the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Rubin Benjamin House.
  • McLean County Courthouse.
  • Stevenson House.
  • Robert Greenlee House.

Higher Education

Bloomington is home to Illinois Wesleyan University.

Demographics

People

Total Population78,331
Male Share of the Population49.3%
Female Share of the Population50.7%
Senior Citizens12.1%
Employed Population 16+41,049
Age of the Population35

Families

% of people married49.4%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher47.6%
Median Earnings25+$47,201
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$25,822
Median Earnings With High School Degree$27,776

Wealth

Median Family Income$90,931
% Above Poverty Level87.5%
% Below Poverty Level12.5%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time16 minutes
% Working from Home3.8%
% Walking and Biking to Work4%
% Using Public Transportation1%

Housing

People Living Alone32.2%
Median Gross Rent$825
Median House Value$167,200

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)28.3%
German24.6%
Irish13.3%
English10%
Italian3.6%
Polish2.6%
Swedish2.4%
French Except Basque2.1%
Scottish2%
African1.8%
Norwegian1.6%
Dutch1.3%
Russian0.7%
Arab0.5%
Hungarian0.5%
Welsh0.5%
Czech0.5%
Danishn0.5%
Greek0.4%
Austrian0.3%
Lithuanian0.3%
Canadian0.2%
Belgian0.2%
Slovak0.2%
Swiss0.2%
Haitian0.1%
West Indian0.1%
Ukrainian0.1%
Romanian0.1%
Portuguese0.1%
Lebanese0.1%
Croatian0.1%
Serbian0.1%
Bulgarian0.1%
Ethiopian0.1%
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Bloomington Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyMclean County, McLean County
Standard Zip Codes61704, 61705, 61701
P.O. Box Zip Codes61702
Company Zip Codes61710, 61799, 61709, 61791
Phone Area Codes309
Time ZoneAmerica/Chicago
Approximate Latitude40.47
Approximate Longitude-88.97

Bloomington Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationNORMAL
Distance2.3 miles
Jan Temp14 to 31 F
Apr Temp40 to 61 F
Jul Temp65 to 86 F
Oct Temp42 to 65 F
Annual Precip37.4 inches
StationCHENOA
Distance22.6 miles
Jan Temp15 to 32 F
Apr Temp40 to 63 F
Jul Temp64 to 86 F
Oct Temp43 to 66 F
Annual Precip34.6 inches
StationLINCOLN
Distance29.2 miles
Jan Temp15 to 33 F
Apr Temp39 to 63 F
Jul Temp64 to 86 F
Oct Temp41 to 67 F
Annual Precip38.3 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Carlock549$70,938
Danvers1,108$83,125
Downs886$92,500
Hudson2,073$97,125
Normal54,808$86,494
Towanda491$73,333

Bloomington Public Libraries

Bloomington Public Library
205 EAST OLIVE STREET
Bloomington, Illinois
(309) 828-6091

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Bloomington Hospitals

St Joseph Medical Center
(Non-profit)
2200 E Washington
(309) 662-3311

Bloomington Public Schools

Bent Elem School
904 N Roosevelt Ave
ZIP: 61701
(309) 828-4315
Primary
Total Enrollment 409
Bloomington High School
1202 E Locust St
ZIP: 61701
(309) 828-5201
High
Total Enrollment 1378
Bloomington Jr High School
901 Colton Ave
ZIP: 61701
(309) 827-0086
Middle
Total Enrollment 1187
Irving Elementary School
602 W Jackson St
ZIP: 61701
(309) 827-8091
Primary
Total Enrollment 351
Oakland Elementary School
1605 E Oakland Ave
ZIP: 61701
(309) 662-4302
Primary
Total Enrollment 496
Regional Alop School
408 W Washington St
ZIP: 61701
(309) 828-5807
High
Total Enrollment 113
Safe School Program
408 W Washington St
ZIP: 61701
(309) 828-5807
High
Total Enrollment 79
Sarah A Raymond Sch Of Early Educ
1402 W Olive St
ZIP: 61701
(309) 827-0308
Primary
Total Enrollment 260
Sheridan Elem School
1403 W Walnut St
ZIP: 61701
(309) 828-2359
Primary
Total Enrollment 400
Washington Elem School
1201 E Washington St
ZIP: 61701
(309) 829-7034
Primary
Total Enrollment 471
Brigham Elementary
201 Brigham School Rd
ZIP: 61704
(309) 557-4413
Primary
Total Enrollment 147
Cedar Ridge Elem School
2808 Breezewood Blvd
ZIP: 61704
(309) 557-4413
Primary
Total Enrollment 497
Evans Junior High School
2901 Morrissey Dr
ZIP: 61704
(309) 557-4406
Middle
Total Enrollment 819
Northpoint Elementary School
2602 E College Ave
ZIP: 61704
(309) 557-4420
Primary
Total Enrollment 639
Stevenson Elem School
2106 Arrowhead Dr
ZIP: 61704
(309) 663-2351
Primary
Total Enrollment 468
Benjamin Elem School
6006 Ireland Grove Rd
ZIP: 61705
(309) 557-4410
Primary
Total Enrollment 582
Fox Creek Elementary School
3910 Timberwolf Trl
ZIP: 61705
(309) 557-4416
Primary
Total Enrollment 347
Pepper Ridge Elementary School
2602 Danbury Dr
ZIP: 61705
(309) 557-4423
Primary
Total Enrollment 422

Bloomington Private Schools

Holy Trinity Catholic School
705 N Roosevelt Ave
ZIP: 61701
Elementary
Total Enrollment 434
Central Catholic High School
1201 Airport Rd
ZIP: 61704
Secondary
Total Enrollment 376
Chesterbrook Academy
212 N Williamsburg Dr
ZIP: 61704
Elementary
Total Enrollment 6
Trinity Lutheran School
1102 W Hamilton Rd
ZIP: 61704
Elementary
Total Enrollment 323
Life Crossings Academy
18180 Us Highway 150
ZIP: 61705
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 11
Sources :
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Historic Bloomington

photo

Adlai Stevenson's residence between 1890 and 1901

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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