Quick Facts About Bloomington, Illinois
A central Midwestern city full of college town pride, Bloomington, Illinois, is a quintessential American hub. The Bloomington-Normal region is home to both Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University, which keeps the city’s spirit youthful and vibrant with a constant influx of new residents. But Bloomington is also just an hour from Urbana-Champaign, where the University of Illinois’ flagship is based, and only 30 minutes from its biggest rival — Bradley University — in Peoria.
Because Bloomington sits midway between Chicago and St. Louis, the city is within easy reach of the cultural amenities of larger metros, but there’s plenty to keep residents busy without leaving town. Kid-friendly spots like the Children’s Discovery Museum and the Miller Park Zoo, along with ISU Redbirds games, historic sites and great restaurants and bars, make Bloomington an ideal spot for families. And the green spaces and lakes throughout McLean County ensure residents of this region have easy access to the wonders of this special landscape in all four seasons.
But Bloomington is more than just a place to have fun — it can also be a stellar spot to solidify your career. This city of 79,000 is a research and educational hub with a strong corporate base. Both State Farm Insurance and COUNTRY Financial are headquartered in Bloomington, and some of the area’s biggest manufacturers, like Rivian, have expansion plans already underway. All of this, coupled with the strong education and healthcare industries, makes Bloomington attractive to recent grads and those with more advanced experience in the workforce.
If you are looking for a small Midwestern city with a big sense of community, Bloomington, Illinois, may be the right place for you. Learn more about the Bloomington-Normal region below in our moving guide, including the weather, the job market, the real estate market and our favorite things to do around town.
Climate and Weather in Bloomington
The Bloomington-Normal region has four true seasons, with cold and windy winters and hot and humid summers. From December to February, expect lows in the 20s F and highs in the mid-30s F. In your average Bloomington winter, you can expect to see around 20 inches of snow, and you’ll be spared the more intense accumulations that Chicagoland suffers from the lake effect.
Spring can be painfully slow to arrive in central Illinois, but the cool weather keeps the season’s first flowers in bloom longer than you’ll find in warmer regions. Temperatures stay above freezing by late April, and highs usually only reach the 60s and 70s through May.
Summers can be surprisingly intense in Bloomington, though. The average high is in the mid-80s F, but it’s not unusual these days to see the mercury soar well into the 90s. But evenings are usually still cool and mild, dropping into the low 60s in July and August and even dipping into the 50s in June and September. May–September is also the rainiest period of the year, when it’s common for the region to see more than four inches per month.
Fall is our favorite season in Bloomington, as it starts early and usually stretches past Thanksgiving, holding the bitterest cold at bay. This is a great time to take a bike ride on the Constitution Trail, a 37-mile-long pathway along the former Illinois Central Gulf Railroad that is shaded by a colorful canopy in autumn.
Cost of Living in Bloomington
While income levels in Bloomington are comparable to the state and national medians, the $75,449 that the average Bloomington household brings in each year can go a lot farther than it might in other cities in Illinois and the U.S.
The median home value in Bloomington is just under $200,000, far lower than the Illinois state average of $250,000 and the national average of $303,000. Bloomington’s real estate market is also enviable compared to its in-state neighbors. In Joliet or Aurora, you can expect to pay upwards of $250,000, while in Chicago, the median home value is $315,000. And, in tony suburbs like Naperville, housing prices now easily exceed the $500,000 mark.
Even if you don’t intend to buy, the market is still friendly to renters. The median gross rent is just $1,004/month in Bloomington, compared to $1,227 in the state of Illinois, $1,348 nationally and $1,380 in Chicago.
Career Opportunities and Education in Bloomington
With a nonfarm, civilian workforce of under 100,000, the Bloomington-Normal region has a small but diversified job market. Thanks to top employers like State Farm Insurance, COUNTRY Financial and Afni — all of which are headquartered in Bloomington — the city’s largest sector is financial activities. This industry employs 19,300 individuals, roughly 75% of whom work for State Farm.
With 16,700 employees, the Government is the area’s second-largest employment sector, followed by trade, transportation and utilities, with 12,900. But in this college town, it’s education and health services that dominate the culture. Between the institutions of higher education — Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University and Heartland Community College — and those of primary/secondary education, like Unit 5 Schools and District 87 Schools, this employment sector supports 12,400 jobs and grew 5.1% last year. This is good news for anyone looking to break into the academic arena.
Bloomington-Normal has a significant manufacturing industry, which produces everything from automobiles to confections. EV manufacturer Rivian announced a major expansion in the city in 2024, and Bridgestone/Firestone and chocolate-maker Ferraro USA both make Bloomington’s top 20 largest employers list. Unfortunately, manufacturing had a rough year and roughly 200 jobs were shed between February of 2024 and 2025. But with an unemployment rate of just 3.8%, the overall economic outlook of Bloomington remains positive.
Things You Can Only Experience in Bloomington
As a college town in the center of the Midwest, Bloomington is filled with fun things to see and do, from the Miller Park Zoo to the Prairie Aviation Museum. There’s no better place to immerse yourself in the culture of this central Illinois hub than in downtown Bloomington, where you can see public art, shop at the farmers’ market and dine at farm-to-table eateries like Epiphany Farms. The campus of Illinois Wesleyan University is less than a mile from downtown, and Illinois State University is just a short drive north in the heart of Normal.
In addition to the ISU Redbirds, Bloomington also has a pro-sports scene. The Bloomington Bison, part of the ECHL, play at the Grossinger Motors Arena downtown, where you can also catch your favorite events, from concerts to conventions.
If the outdoors is more your thing, Bloomington has plenty of spots for hiking, biking, fishing and boating. One of our favorites is Moraine View State Park. Moraine’s shimmering lake is surrounded by woodlands and a sandy beach, perfect for a day of picnicking and swimming. Anglers can rent a no-wake boat on site and try their luck at reeling in walleye, bluegill and largemouth bass. Moraine is also one of a handful of public sites open to pheasant hunting during designated dates. If you’re hoping to hit the trails, Comlara Park is one of the most expansive public green spaces in McLean County, and there are mountain biking, hiking and equestrian paths here for all levels. The enormous Evergreen Lake at Comlara makes a gorgeous centerpiece, especially for a weekend of camping, fishing and cooking out.
When you live in the Land of Lincoln, you might as well steep yourself in the local lore of America’s 16th president. At the David Davis Mansion, you can catch a glimmer of the past through the Italianate wonder that was the residence of one of Lincoln’s closest friends and advocates. Davis served as the president’s campaign manager and was eventually appointed to the Supreme Court.
Several other sites will appeal to history buffs in Bloomington. At the Ewing Cultural Center, visitors can dream of living in the drool-worthy French-Tudor manor once owned by Davis and Hazle Buck Ewing. Both were born into prosperous families, but Hazle was also a lifelong advocate and activist for women’s rights, environmental justice and international peace.
Those who wish to better understand the region’s history through a broader lens than a house museum can afford should certainly visit the McLean County Museum of History. With more than 18,000 objects in its collection, this impressive institution covers everything from prehistoric times to this very moment. You’ll find political history told through the memorabilia of Adlai Stevenson’s granddaughter “Buffie” Ives, architectural history from Arthur L. Pillsbury’s renderings and Black history through portraits, posters and personal treasures that are a part of the Bloomington Normal Black History Project collections.
Tips for Moving to Bloomington, Illinois
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Enjoy the Process
There may be twists and turns along your moving journey, but there are also creative ways you can make the process more manageable — even fun! Follow our tips to make moving less stressful, like taking a vacation from your move or throwing a packing party with friends and family.
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