Bloomington city, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Bloomington city, Indiana has a total population of 78,791, the 7th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $48,918, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 60.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Indiana.
Bloomington city Quick Facts
How Bloomington city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bloomington city Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Cities Similar to Bloomington city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond city | 77,098 | $53,950 | $141,700 | 15.4% | 19.2% |
| Lafayette city | 70,650 | $52,946 | $157,600 | 28.1% | 17.1% |
| Muncie city | 64,739 | $43,395 | $92,000 | 25.7% | 29.6% |
| Gary city | 68,604 | $37,380 | $85,300 | 14.3% | 32.9% |
| South Bend city | 102,866 | $52,512 | $124,500 | 29.4% | 22.6% |
Population Overview
Bloomington city is a mid-sized community located in Indiana. The total population is 78,791. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 967 cities and towns in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bloomington city is 24.9 years. This is 34% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. Only 11.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bloomington city is $48,918. This is 30% lower than the state median of $70,051. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 30.5%. This is 150% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 44% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $289,700. Housing costs are 44% higher than the state median of $201,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 35.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 50% lower than the state average of 70.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bloomington city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.5% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.5%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (10.5% vs 2.5%).
Education
60.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Bloomington city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 108% higher than the state rate of 28.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.4%. Notably, 34.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bloomington city, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bloomington city, Indiana?
Bloomington city, Indiana has a population of 78,791 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bloomington city, IN?
The median household income in Bloomington city is $48,918, which is 38% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Bloomington city, IN?
The poverty rate in Bloomington city is 30.5%. This means approximately 19,829 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bloomington city, Indiana?
Bloomington city's population is 75.5% White, 4.8% Black, 5.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bloomington city, IN?
The median home value in Bloomington city is $289,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is Bloomington city, Indiana?
60.0% of adults (25+) in Bloomington city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 34.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.