Bloomington, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bloomington, Illinois had a total population of 78,907, the 12th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $77,384, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 48.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Bloomington Quick Facts
How Bloomington Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 78,703 | 78,907 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $75,449 | $77,384 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $198,800 | $203,300 | +2.3% |
How Bloomington Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bloomington Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in McLean County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 53,569 | $64,785 | 21.4% | $213,600 |
| Le Roy | 3,236 | $81,875 | 2.8% | $167,600 |
| El Paso | 2,917 | $75,625 | 10.9% | $159,400 |
| Heyworth | 2,573 | $96,500 | 6.1% | $210,600 |
| Lexington | 2,126 | $99,167 | 4.2% | $172,500 |
| Hudson | 1,918 | $110,000 | 2.4% | $224,700 |
| Chenoa | 1,647 | $65,769 | 21.3% | $124,700 |
| Downs | 1,641 | $110,625 | 10.8% | $240,600 |
| Twin Grove | 1,458 | $116,250 | 4.2% | $264,800 |
| Gridley | 1,390 | $67,250 | 5.7% | $141,300 |
Cities Similar to Bloomington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cicero | 82,797 | $70,842 | $249,400 | 10.8% | 14.6% |
| Schaumburg | 76,868 | $97,514 | $330,400 | 50.4% | 5.7% |
| Evanston | 76,340 | $96,434 | $481,200 | 69.5% | 11.8% |
| Waukegan | 89,076 | $71,919 | $190,900 | 20.9% | 15.3% |
| Bolingbrook | 74,096 | $108,400 | $314,700 | 39.6% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Bloomington is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within McLean County. The total population is 78,907. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bloomington is 36.2 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bloomington is $77,384. This is 7% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 4% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.0%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $203,300. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Bloomington is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bloomington is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.3%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
48.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Bloomington in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.9%. Notably, 16.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bloomington, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bloomington, Illinois?
Bloomington, Illinois has a population of 78,907 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bloomington, IL?
The median household income in Bloomington is $77,384, which is 4% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bloomington, IL?
The poverty rate in Bloomington is 11.0%. This means approximately 8,417 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bloomington, Illinois?
Bloomington's population is 69.4% White, 10.2% Black, 7.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bloomington, IL?
The median home value in Bloomington is $203,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Bloomington, Illinois?
48.8% of adults (25+) in Bloomington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.