Bloomington, Illinois facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids

Bloomington, Illinois

City

McLean County Courthouse and Square

Logo

Location of Bloomington in McLean County, Illinois

Bloomington, Illinois

Location in Illinois

Bloomington, Illinois

Location in the United States

Country

United States

State

Illinois

County

McLean

Founded

1831

Incorporated

1831

Government

• Type

Mayor–council–manager

Area

• City

27.24 sq mi (70.56 km²)

• Land

27.12 sq mi (70.24 km²)

• Water

0.12 sq mi (0.32 km²)

Elevation

840 ft (260 m)

Population

(2020)

• City

78,680

• Density

2,901.29/sq mi (1,120.18/km²)

• Urban

132,600 (US: 243rd)

• Metro

191,067 (US: 223rd)

• Summer (DST)

61701, 61704, 61705

309, 861

17-06613

GNIS ID

2394197

Bloomington is a city in Illinois, United States. It is the main city of McLean County. In 2020, about 78,680 people lived there. This makes it the 13th largest city in Illinois.

Bloomington is right next to the town of Normal. Together, they form a larger area called Bloomington–Normal. This area has about 170,000 people. Bloomington is about 135 miles (217 km) southwest of Chicago. It is also 162 miles (261 km) northeast of St. Louis.

The city is home to Illinois Wesleyan University. It also has the main offices for big companies like State Farm and Country Financial. Bloomington is also where the Bloomington Bison minor league hockey team plays.

History of Bloomington

Looking northwest from the east side of downtown Bloomington, around 1910.

Long ago, the area around Bloomington was home to the Kickapoo people. The first European-American settlers arrived in the early 1820s. The first settlement was called Keg Grove, then Blooming Grove.

On December 25, 1830, Bloomington was chosen as the county seat. This happened when McLean County was created. Gavin Quinn, who helped start the new county, gave 60 acres of his land for the new town.

Bloomington was officially planned out. Its land lots were sold at a big event on July 4, 1831. Farmers came from all over to trade and do business in the town center. This area is known today as Downtown Bloomington.

Famous people like Abraham Lincoln worked as a lawyer nearby. He often visited Bloomington. A local resident, Jesse W. Fell, helped push Lincoln to run for president. Fell also started the Bloomington Pantagraph newspaper.

In 1900, a large fire destroyed much of the downtown area. But the city quickly rebuilt it. Local architects George Miller and Paul O. Moratz designed the new buildings.

A view of Bloomington in 1932.

Bloomington kept growing in the early 1900s. Farming, new roads, railroads, and the insurance business helped the city expand. State Farm insurance company was started here in June 1922. It was founded by a retired farmer named George J. Mecherle.

In 1917, there was a worker's dispute involving streetcar employees. They wanted better pay and working hours. The mayor, E.E. Jones, helped solve the problem. The Illinois National Guard was present during the talks.

In 1997, Judy Markowitz became the city's first female mayor. During her time, a new arena was built downtown. The city's performing arts center also began to be restored. In 2021, Mboka Mwilambwe was elected as the city's first Black mayor.

Geography and Climate

Bloomington is located at 40°29′03″N 88°59′37″W. The city is about 797 feet (243 meters) above sea level. In 2010, Bloomington covered about 27.23 square miles (70.52 square kilometers). Most of this area is land.

Climate

Weather chart for Bloomington, Illinois

1.7

2.9

3.8

4.5

3.9

3.8

2.7

3.1

2.4

temperatures in °F
precipitation totals in inches
source: The Weather Channel

Metric conversion

J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
44 -1 -10	43 3 -8	73 9 -2	97 16 4	115 23 11	99 28 16	100 30 18	97 29 17	75 25 12	69 18 6	78 9 -1	61 2 -7
temperatures in °C • precipitation totals in mm

Bloomington has different temperatures throughout the year. In January, the average low is 14°F (–10°C). In July, the average high is 86°F (30°C). The coldest temperature ever recorded was -23°F (–31°C) in January 1985. The hottest was 114°F (46°C) in July 1936.

The amount of rain and snow changes each month. February usually has the least, about 1.71 inches (4.3 cm). May usually has the most, about 4.52 inches (11.5 cm).

Population Information

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1850	1,594	—
1860	7,075	343.9%
1870	14,590	106.2%
1880	17,180	17.8%
1890	20,484	19.2%
1900	23,286	13.7%
1910	25,768	10.7%
1920	28,725	11.5%
1930	30,930	7.7%
1940	32,868	6.3%
1950	34,163	3.9%
1960	36,274	6.2%
1970	39,992	10.2%
1980	44,189	10.5%
1990	51,976	17.6%
2000	64,808	24.7%
2010	76,610	18.2%
2020	78,680	2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census 2018 Estimate

The population of Bloomington has grown a lot over the years. In 1850, there were only 1,594 people. By 2020, the population had grown to 78,680.

People in Bloomington

**Bloomington city, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition**
*Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.*
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	54,011	57,141	54,590	83.34%	74.59%	69.38%
Black or African American alone (NH)	5,527	7,663	8,407	8.53%	10.00%	10.69%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	107	170	165	0.17%	0.22%	0.21%
Asian alone (NH)	1,949	5,315	5,622	3.01%	6.94%	7.15%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	24	23	26	0.04%	0.03%	0.03%
Other race alone (NH)	86	106	294	0.13%	0.14%	0.37%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	954	1,884	3,637	1.47%	2.46%	4.62%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2,150	4,308	5,939	3.32%	5.62%	7.55%
Total	64,808	76,610	78,680	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

In 2010, there were 76,610 people living in Bloomington. About 77.5% of the people were White. About 10.1% were African American. About 7.0% were Asian. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 5.6% of the population.

Bloomington and McLean County are one of the fastest-growing areas in Illinois. The population grew by 28% between 1990 and 2006.

In 2010, there were 34,339 households in the city. About 28.8% of these households had children under 18. The average age of people in Bloomington was 33 years old.

Economy and Jobs

Beer Nuts are made in Bloomington.

Bloomington is an important center for business. It is home to major companies like State Farm Insurance and Country Financial. The Illinois Agricultural Association also has its headquarters here.

The famous Beer Nuts snacks are made only in Bloomington. You can even visit two Beer Nuts stores in the city. They offer a video tour about how the snacks are made.

The original Steak 'n Shake restaurant opened in Normal, the city next to Bloomington, in 1934. Bloomington also has the largest Dairy Queen restaurant.

Top Employers

Many people in Bloomington work for large companies and organizations. Here are some of the biggest employers in the area:

#	Employer	Employees
1	State Farm Insurance	14,731
2	Illinois State University	3,281
3	Country Financial	1,972
4	McLean County Unit District No. 5	1,761
5	Carle Bromenn Medical Center	1,305
6	OSF St. Joseph Medical Center	860
7	McLean County	835
8	Afni	830
9	Bloomington School District 87	680
10	City of Bloomington	679

Bloomington also has a convention center at the McLean County Fairgrounds. The Grossinger Motors Arena is another important venue.

Shopping

Eastland Mall is the main shopping center in Bloomington. It offers many stores for people to visit.

Arts and Culture

Bloomington-Normal is known for its creative community. The area has a high number of people working in creative jobs.

The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts is a key place for culture. It is home to over twenty local performing arts groups. More than 400 shows and events happen there each year. The Illinois Symphony Orchestra performs many concerts at this center.

The McLean County Arts Center is one of the oldest art groups in the Midwest. It has been serving Central Illinois for over 130 years. Each year, it holds 12 art shows. These include the Holiday Treasurers sale and an annual competition for amateur artists. The Arts Center also helps with events like the Sugar Creek Arts Festival.

The Community Players Theater opened in 1923. It is one of the oldest community theaters run entirely by volunteers. The Castle Theatre, built in 1916, was once a large movie palace. It was restored for $1.5 million and now hosts live music and events.

Illinois Wesleyan University has a School of Theatre Arts. They perform four main plays each year at the Jerome Mirza Theatre. The university's Westbrook Auditorium hosts many music performances. Most of these concerts are free.

The Miller Park Outdoor Summer Theatre is a local group. They perform two big plays each year. USA Ballet is an international ballet company. They offer workshops for children and perform at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Events

East Grove Street District

The American Passion Play was performed in Bloomington for 100 years. It showed the life of Christ and ended in May 2023.

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival takes place each summer. Plays are performed in an open-air theater at Ewing Manor. Visitors can picnic and enjoy entertainers before the show.

The Lincoln's Bloomington Festival happens every July in Downtown Bloomington. It features Civil War reenactments and traditional crafts. There are also musical performances and tours.

The Spring Bloom Arts Festival is held by the McLean County Arts Center in March. This indoor festival shows art from over 100 artists. You can see woodworking, glass art, paintings, and jewelry.

The McLean County Fair is called the "Home of the World's Largest County 4-H Fair." It happens every August. The fair includes livestock shows, a film festival, and exhibits on food and technology. There are also tractor pulls and music shows.

Historic Places to Visit

Ewing Manor was designed by architect Phil Hooten. Its gardens were created by Jens Jensen. The Illinois Shakespeare Festival performs plays here each summer.

The McLean County Museum of History is in the old McLean County Courthouse. It shows exhibits about the history of Central Illinois. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Miller Park Pavilion & War Memorial was restored in 1977. It has a black granite memorial with names of local people who died in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

The Prairie Aviation Museum has a collection of old aircraft. You can see planes like a Bell Sea Cobra and an F-14 Tomcat.

The Evergreen Memorial Cemetery is where many important people from Bloomington are buried. This includes Adlai E. Stevenson I, a former U.S. Vice President. His grandson, Adlai E. Stevenson II, a former Illinois Governor, is also buried here. Other notable people include David Davis, a friend of Abraham Lincoln, and Dorothy Gage, who inspired a character in The Wizard of Oz.

David Davis Mansion, home of 19th-century politician and judge David Davis.

The David Davis Mansion was the home of David Davis. He was a friend and mentor to Abraham Lincoln. The mansion was finished in 1872. It shows what homes looked like in the mid-Victorian era. It had modern features for its time, like indoor plumbing. The David Davis Mansion is a historic landmark.

The former building of the Montefiore synagogue is a unique building in Illinois. It is one of the oldest synagogues in the United States.

Other historic landmarks in Bloomington include:

Parks and Fun Activities

Miller Park Pavilion.

The Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department takes care of over 1,100 acres (4.5 sq km) of land. This includes 44 parks and three golf courses. Many parks have playgrounds, spray parks, and sports fields. There are also public swimming pools at O'Neil Park and Holiday Park.

Miller Park Zoo has many animals and offers chances to interact with zookeepers. You can see animals like Sumatran tigers, red pandas, and sea lions. The zoo has exhibits like Wallaby WalkAbout and the Tropical America Rainforest.

The Bloomington-Normal Constitution Trail is a 24-mile (39 km) path. It's great for walking, running, biking, and skating. In winter, you can even ski on it when there's snow.

The Genevieve Green Gardens are at the Ewing Cultural Center. They were opened in 2007. These beautiful gardens have different sections, including a formal plaza and a theater walk.

The Bloomington Ice Center is an indoor ice skating rink. It offers skating lessons and public skating times. You can also join hockey programs and curling leagues here.

Sports in Bloomington

Hockey

Bloomington has been home to several hockey teams. The Bloomington PrairieThunder played from 2006 to 2011. Then came the Bloomington Blaze and Bloomington Thunder (SPHL). From 2014 to 2019, the Central Illinois Flying Aces played here. Starting in 2024, Bloomington is home to the Bloomington Bison. They play in the ECHL and are connected to the New York Rangers of the NHL.

Golf

The golf course at the Bloomington Country Club.

In 2005, Golf Digest magazine said Bloomington-Normal was the fifth best American city for golf. The area has several great golf courses:

The Den at Fox Creek: This 18-hole course was designed by Arnold Palmer. It has water hazards and sand traps. It hosts state golf tournaments for high school boys.
Highland Park Golf Course: This course has creeks, lakes, and tree-lined fairways. It also hosts a youth golf classic.
The Links at Ireland Grove: This is a newer 9-hole course. It has a driving range and a practice area for short games.
Prairie Vista Golf Course: This 18-hole course has many water hazards and sand. It also hosts state golf finals for high school boys.

Bloomington also has two private golf clubs: Bloomington Country Club and Lakeside Country Club.

Sports Facilities

Grossinger Motors Arena.

The Grossinger Motors Arena opened in 2006. It is a large indoor venue with over 180,000 square feet (16,722 sq m) of space. It can seat 7,000 to 8,000 people for events. The arena hosts concerts, family shows, and sports events. It was home to the Bloomington Edge football team and is now home to the Central Illinois Flying Aces hockey team.

The Community Soccer Fields complex has 20 soccer fields. These fields are used by about 2,000 local soccer players each year.

Extra Innings Bloomington/Normal is an indoor training place for baseball and softball. The Shira Baseball Complex has 6 outdoor fields for young baseball players.

Local Sports Teams

Team	League	Sport	Venue	Established	Championships
Normal CornBelters	Prospect League	Baseball	The Corn Crib	2009	None
FC Diablos	Midwest Premier League	Association football	The Corn Crib	2017	0
Bloomington Bison	ECHL	Ice hockey	Grossinger Motors Arena	2024	-

Education in Bloomington

Ames Library at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Bloomington has several schools for students of all ages.

Schools for Kids

The city has two public school districts. Bloomington Public Schools District 87 serves the inner city. It has one high school, Bloomington High School. It also has one junior high and six elementary schools.

McLean County Unit District No. 5 serves other parts of the city and Normal. This district has two high schools: Normal Community High School and Normal Community West High School. It also has four junior high schools and many elementary schools.

Bloomington also has several private schools. These include Central Catholic High School and Cornerstone Christian Academy.

Colleges and Universities

Bloomington is home to Illinois Wesleyan University. It is a private university founded in 1850. About 2,100 students attend this university. It has colleges for liberal arts, fine arts, and a School of Nursing. Illinois Wesleyan is a NCAA Division III school. Many of its athletes have been named Academic All-Americans.

Public Library

The Bloomington Public Library first opened in 1857. It was started by the Ladies' Library Association. In 1977, the library moved to its current location at 205 East Olive Street. It offers many programs for the public. It also has a Bookmobile that delivers books to local neighborhoods.

Media

Bloomington has a local daily newspaper called The Pantagraph.

Transportation

Inside the terminal at Central Illinois Regional Airport.

Bloomington is a major transportation hub. You can travel to and from the city by train, bus, and plane.

Amtrak trains run between St. Louis and Chicago from the Bloomington-Normal station. This is Illinois' third-busiest Amtrak station.

Greyhound Lines and Burlington Trailways offer bus services. You can travel to cities like Peoria, Champaign, and Indianapolis.

The Central Illinois Regional Airport serves Bloomington. Four airlines fly from here to major cities like Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas-Ft. Worth. In 2010, over 559,000 passengers used this airport.

Connect Transit provides local bus service within Bloomington and Normal. They have 13 bus routes.

Three major interstates, I-39, I-55, and I-74, meet in Bloomington. This makes it an important place for road travel. Old U.S. Route 66 also used to run through the city.