Bloomington, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bloomington, Indiana had a total population of 80,049, the 7th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $50,465, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 58.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Indiana.
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 | 78,791 | 80,049 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $48,918 | $50,465 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $289,700 | $321,400 | +10.9% |
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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bloomington Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Monroe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellettsville | 6,698 | $90,213 | 5.9% | $243,600 |
| Smithville-Sanders | 3,299 | $74,750 | 5.5% | $259,100 |
| Harrodsburg | 298 | $35,417 | 6.0% | $182,800 |
| Stinesville | 297 | $64,464 | 21.9% | $129,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond | 76,768 | $55,504 | $159,900 | 17.4% | 19.1% |
| Lafayette | 71,159 | $53,716 | $172,800 | 27.9% | 17.8% |
| Muncie | 64,751 | $44,471 | $97,300 | 26.2% | 29.2% |
| Gary | 68,113 | $38,731 | $94,700 | 14.8% | 33.1% |
| South Bend | 103,085 | $55,786 | $140,400 | 29.3% | 20.8% |
Population Overview
Bloomington is a mid-sized community located in Indiana, within Monroe County. The total population is 80,049. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bloomington is 25.1 years. This is 34% lower than the state median of 38.1 years. Only 10.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bloomington is $50,465. This is 30% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.8%. This is 142% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. 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 6.6%. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $321,400. Housing costs are 47% higher than the state median of $218,200. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 34.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 51% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bloomington is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.7%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (10.7% vs 2.6%).
Education
58.8% 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 100% higher than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.8%. Notably, 34.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bloomington, Indiana 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 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. 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, Indiana?
Bloomington, Indiana has a population of 80,049 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bloomington, IN?
The median household income in Bloomington is $50,465, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bloomington, IN?
The poverty rate in Bloomington is 29.8%. This means approximately 19,736 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bloomington, Indiana?
Bloomington's population is 74.3% White, 4.9% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bloomington, IN?
The median home value in Bloomington is $321,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.
How educated is Bloomington, Indiana?
58.8% of adults (25+) in Bloomington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 34.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.