According to 800ZipCodes, Bloomington, Illinois is a vibrant city located in the heart of the Midwest. Located in McLean County, the city is surrounded by charming towns and cities that offer visitors a variety of attractions. To the north lies Normal, Illinois, a college town that is home to both Illinois State University and Heartland Community College. Normal offers a variety of museums and cultural attractions such as the Children’s Discovery Museum and Miller Park Zoo. Just to its east lies Lincoln, Illinois – an historic town that was once home to President Abraham Lincoln before he moved to Springfield. Lincoln is an ideal destination for history buffs with its many historic sites such as the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site and the David Davis Mansion State Historic Site.

To Bloomington’s south lies Decatur, Illinois – a major industrial center that also serves as an agricultural hub for much of central Illinois. Decatur offers plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking trails at Rock Springs Conservation Area or canoeing on Lake Decatur. The city also features numerous cultural attractions such as Scovill Zoo or the Millikin Homestead Museum & Gardens which showcases life during 19th century rural America.

Heading west from Bloomington brings you to LeRoy, Illinois – a small village known for its charming downtown area with unique shops and restaurants. Visitors can take in some local history at The LeRoy Historical Society Museum which houses artifacts from early settlers who lived in this area dating back to 1829 or explore nature at nearby Kickapoo Creek Park which features over ten miles of trails perfect for hiking, biking or horseback riding.

Finally, just south of Bloomington lies Forsyth – a small town that was once known as “The Garden Spot” due its abundance of green spaces and lush gardens. Forsyth offers numerous parks perfect for picnicking or fishing including Cedar Creek Park which has two lakes nestled among hundreds of acres of wooded terrain ideal for bird watching or wildlife observation. In addition to its natural beauty Forsyth also features several unique attractions such as The Barn Quilt Trail – a collection of handmade quilts hung on barns throughout the town celebrating local artistry.

Population of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington, Illinois is a city located in McLean County and is the county seat. It has a population of 76,610 people according to mcat-test-centers. The city has experienced steady growth since its founding in 1831, but it has been particularly rapid over the last decade with a population increase of 11.9%. This growth can be attributed to the city’s thriving economy which is supported by major employers such as State Farm Insurance, Country Financial, and OSF HealthCare.

The racial makeup of Bloomington is 84.9% White, 5.5% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American or Alaskan Native, 4.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander or Hawaiian Native, 3.2% from other races and 2.6% from two or more races. The median household income in Bloomington is $50,621 which is slightly higher than the state average of $50,460 and significantly higher than the national median income of $60,293 according to the 2018 US Census Bureau report on poverty statistics.

The population of Bloomington is highly educated with nearly 90 percent having earned at least a high school diploma and almost half having earned a bachelor’s degree or higher level of education according to census data from 2018-2019 school year estimates by Great Schools Inc.. Additionally, 27 percent have completed some college but do not have a degree while 15 percent have earned an associate’s degree from one of several local community colleges such as Heartland Community College or Illinois Wesleyan University.

Bloomington also boasts a diverse religious landscape with Protestant Christian denominations making up 56 percent of the population while Roman Catholic Christians make up 21 percent and non-Christian faiths make up 9 percent according to statistics collected by City Data in 2017.. Additionally, 17 percent claim no religious affiliation while 1 percent identify as Atheist/Agnostic/Rationalist/Humanist.

Bloomington has seen steady growth due to its strong economy and increasing educational attainment levels which are helping attract new residents from all over the world looking for an ideal place to call home.

Schools and education of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington, Illinois is home to a number of excellent educational opportunities for students of all ages. The city is served by two school districts, Bloomington Public Schools District 87 and Unit 5 School District. Both districts offer a wide variety of programs to meet the needs of students from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

District 87 consists of five elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and an alternative education center. Elementary schools provide a comprehensive curriculum that includes math, science, social studies, language arts and physical education as well as Spanish and special education classes. Middle schools offer core classes such as math and science along with electives such as band, art and foreign language courses. High school students can choose from a variety of academic options including Advanced Placement courses in addition to traditional core classes.

Unit 5 School District provides elementary and secondary educational services to the communities within its boundaries which include Bloomington-Normal, Chenoa, Heyworth and Towanda. This district consists of six elementary schools that provide instruction for kindergarten through fifth grade students along with two middle schools for sixth through eighth grade students. High school level courses are offered at Normal Community High School which serves ninth through twelfth grade students from both townships in the district.

In addition to these public school systems there are several private educational institutions located in Bloomington including St Patrick Catholic School which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade; Trinity Lutheran School which offers Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade; Immanuel Lutheran School which provides Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade; Calvary Baptist Academy which offers Kindergarten through twelfth grade; and New Covenant Christian Academy serving Kindergarten through twelfth grade. All these private institutions provide religious education along with traditional academic coursework.

Finally, Bloomington also has several higher learning opportunities available with Illinois State University serving as the main option offering bachelors, masters, doctorate, specialist degrees, certificates, online programs, international studies programs and more. Heartland Community College also provides residents with two year degrees while Lincoln College is another local institution offering associate’s degrees in various fields.

All together, Bloomington provides its residents with an abundance of educational opportunities ranging from pre-kindergarten all the way up to postgraduate studies making it an ideal place for those looking to further their learning.

Landmarks in Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington is home to a number of iconic landmarks, including the McLean County Museum of History. This museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the city and the surrounding area, with exhibits that provide insight into the area’s past. Visitors can explore artifacts from Native American tribes, learn about early settlers and their way of life, and see art from local artists. The museum also offers educational programs for kids and adults alike. Another landmark in Bloomington is Miller Park Zoo. Located on the city’s south side, this zoo has been open since 1891 and is home to over 500 animals representing more than 200 species. Visitors can take part in animal encounters, get up close with some of their favorite animals, or just take a leisurely stroll through the grounds to observe some of nature’s most majestic creatures. Finally, no visit to Bloomington would be complete without a stop at Constitution Trail Park. This scenic park stretches over 19 miles and provides visitors with plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation such as biking, walking, running, or just enjoying the beauty of nature. There are several trails throughout the park that wind through wooded areas and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.