City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Bloomington, IL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Bloomington - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

78,703
Residents
$75,449
Median income
$198,800
Median home
$1,302
Median rent (state)

Bloomington - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Bloomington lands in the 57th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

57th
percentile, household income
43rd
percentile, home value
47th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Bloomington, IL

78,703 people live in Bloomington, Illinois - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $75,449 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.2%. Home values in Bloomington run a median of $198,800, and the median resident age is 36.0 years. About 48.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 63.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 88 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Growing), up 16% from five years earlier. NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 50.2°F with 40.4 inches of precipitation per year.

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,302 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Illinois's average monthly utility costs around $240 (state average). Workers in Bloomington report an average commute of 13.6 minutes, with 69.4% driving alone and 18.4% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 86.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

78,703 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$75,449 /yr

Poverty 8.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Bloomington compare to other US cities?

Here's how Bloomington stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 57% higher than other cities
Home value 43% pricier than other cities
Median rent 47% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Bloomington against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Illinois only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Illinois-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is Bloomington's strongest outlier among Illinois cities

Among the 1,336 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Bloomington ranks #119 - the 91st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Bloomington only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#482 of 1,311
63rd percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#363 of 1,336
72nd percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#359 of 1,315
73rd percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#578 of 1,335
56th percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#119 of 1,336
91st percentile in Illinois

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Illinois only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

57thIncome percentile

57th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Bloomington's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$198,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 57% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Bloomington $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Bloomington, IL Bloomington, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bloomington, IL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Bloomington, IL median $75,449/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Bloomington, IL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Bloomington, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 48.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
78,703
Median Income
$75,449
Median Home Value
$198,800
Median Age
36.0
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Labor force participation
63.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
48.9%

Climate

Avg Temperature
50.2°F
Annual Precipitation
40.4"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
16
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
78,600 residents78,700 residents78,800 residents78,900 residents79,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 78,678 residents 78,804 residents ▲ +0.2%
Bloomington's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
88
housing units authorized
Single-Family
66
detached homes
Multifamily
22
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 76
2020 148
2021 157
2022 236
2023 107
2024 88

Permit volume increased 16% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
13.6 minutes
Drive Alone
69.4%
Carpool
7.5%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
2.6%
Work from Home
18.4%
Other
1.3%

Based on 39,183 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Illinois - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$240
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Illinois state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Illinois state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Bloomington sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,302/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
86.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Schaumburg
76,780 people
Evanston
76,552 people
Arlington Heights
76,220 people
Cicero
83,223 people
Bolingbrook
73,813 people
Decatur
70,368 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bloomington's 78,703 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Auburn, AL
78,738 people
Bloomington, IN
78,791 people
Georgetown, TX
78,803 people
Napa, CA
78,816 people
Kendall, FL
78,527 people
Upland, CA
78,940 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bloomington's $75,449 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Christiansburg, VA
$75,451 median income
Eton, GA
$75,441 median income
Universal City, TX
$75,439 median income
Murrells Inlet, SC
$75,438 median income
Tenino, WA
$75,438 median income
Carneys Point, NJ
$75,436 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bloomington, IL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Bloomington, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 72.3% 10.0% 7.8% 7.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.3% White 72.3% Black or African American 10.0% Asian 7.8% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.8% Two or more races 7.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Bloomington compares to nearby Illinois cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Bloomington (this city) 78,703 $75,449
Schaumburg 76,780 $94,690
Evanston 76,552 $95,766
Arlington Heights 76,220 $118,532
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bloomington, IL?

What is the population of Bloomington, IL? +

78,703 people live in Bloomington, IL according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Bloomington, IL? +

Bloomington households earn a median of $75,449 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bloomington? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bloomington; the closest available measure is the Illinois state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Illinois vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Bloomington, IL? +

Bloomington's median home value sits at $198,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Bloomington? +

The average annual temperature in Bloomington runs 50.2°F, 40.4 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.