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Downtown Bloomington

Downtown Bloomington

$196,670 Average Value
$320 Average Price per Sq Ft
0 Homes For Sale

Bloomington’s booming downtown scene

A growing electric car manufacturer, two universities and two major hospital systems keep Bloomington a busy, vibrant city. Plus, this district has a bustling bar and restaurant scene. “It’s got a little bit of everything,” says Sean Caldwell, Realtor with RE/MAX Rising Brokerage. “They have a pretty active live music scene, a center for performing arts that draws some nice acts and the Grossinger Motors Arena, where the hockey team plays.”
The main strip of Downtown Bloomington is entirely original buildings from the 1800's.
The main strip of Downtown Bloomington is entirely original buildings from the 1800's.
Downtown Bloomington his a long history of almost 200 years.
Downtown Bloomington his a long history of almost 200 years.
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From games and books to groceries and booze

The neighborhood holds dozens of locally loved bars, cafes, shops and restaurants. “A normal Saturday night in Downtown Bloomington would consist of browsing Red Raccoon Games before a dinner reservation at Rosie’s Pub or The Lucca Grill,” says Elizabeth Aspbury, owner of Bobzbay Books. “Then catching a live show at The Castle Theatre or heading to Uptown Normal and seeing a movie at Normal Theater.” Opening in 2009, Bobzbay Books holds about 1,900 square feet of space and supports local artists with a full calendar of events, including Open Mic Poetry nights and an LGBTQ+ Teen Book Club, celebrating the community’s diversity.

Corner stores such as W. Market Groceries provide drinks, snacks and other small items, but the closest full-service grocery store is Green Top Grocery on East Washington Street — almost a mile east.
Downtown Bloomington has a number of unique shops like Red Raccoon Games.
Downtown Bloomington has a number of unique shops like Red Raccoon Games.
Residents of Downtown Bloomington can get groceries at Green Top Grocery.
Residents of Downtown Bloomington can get groceries at Green Top Grocery.
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Major companies attracting workers

State Farm, Rivian and the Ferrero Roche chocolate company are a few of the area’s largest employers. The area also has two major hospital systems: Carle BroMenn Medical Center and the OSF St. Joseph Medical Center. The city took a while to enjoy some of the growth other areas of the country are enjoying, says Caldwell, who also owns the Vision Homes Group and Vision Ventures Construction and Remodeling. “But the job market changed the dynamic. Now, there’s a lot of new construction going on.”
Downtown Bloomington features a rich history and wonderful architecture.
Downtown Bloomington features a rich history and wonderful architecture.
Downtown Bloomington has a rich history and a unique small town charm.
Downtown Bloomington has a rich history and a unique small town charm.
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Festivals celebrating beer, holidays, chocolate and more

For a taste of the city’s microbrewing scene, the Bruegala beer festival brings local food trucks to the neighborhood, as well as live music, games, and beer. In the winter, the Bloomington-Normal Jaycee Holiday Parade draws big crowds with live music and performances on the move. Besides the Holiday Parade and Bruegala, Downtown Bloomington has many great events to celebrate — Saturdays on the Square, Tour de Chocolat and the Tomes of Terror Horror Festival to name some fan favorites.

A fast-moving housing market

“Good houses tend to sell fast with multiple offers,” Caldwell says. “But that dies down a little bit as the price point gets higher.” Condos are becoming increasingly popular throughout Downtown Bloomington, but the occasional Colonial-style single-family home adds variety to the neighborhood’s market. While condos usually sell between $138,000 and $250,000, single-family homes typically range from $100,000 to $160,000. Overall, the median home price in Downtown Bloomington is $165,000.
Downtown Bloomington features mostly colonial and arts and craft style homes.
Downtown Bloomington features mostly colonial and arts and craft style homes.
Colonial style homes are very common in Downtown Bloomington.
Colonial style homes are very common in Downtown Bloomington.
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Bloomington’s first park

Picnickers can enjoy the greenspace and shaded tables at Withers Park. Plenty more outdoor adventures await at nearby Miller Park — Bloomington’s oldest public park that covers over 67 acres. It also has the Miller Park Zoo and one of the country’s two memorials honoring the Black American soldiers killed in the Wereth 11 Massacre during World War II.
Withers Park features a historic monument and gives Downtown Bloomington a great charm.
Withers Park features a historic monument and gives Downtown Bloomington a great charm.
Miller Park is Bloomington's oldest park just a few minutes from Downtown Bloomington.
Miller Park is Bloomington's oldest park just a few minutes from Downtown Bloomington.
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Kindergarten through college

Sheridan Elementary School, which earns a C on Niche, serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade. B-minus-rated Bloomington Junior High School is for sixth through eighth grade. Bloomington High School earns an A-minus and serves the entire city’s secondary students and has an annual average enrollment of 1,500 students. The school also holds the Bloomington Area Career Center, where students can gain firsthand experience for the job market. For post-secondary education, Illinois Wesleyan University is less than a mile north, and Illinois State University is less than 2 miles north.
Sheridan Elementary School serves the community of Downtown Bloomington.
Sheridan Elementary School serves the community of Downtown Bloomington.
Residents of Downtown Bloomington can attend Bloomington High School.
Residents of Downtown Bloomington can attend Bloomington High School.
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Walk, bus or drive

Connect Transit serves bus stops throughout Downtown Bloomington and connects residents to Green Top Grocery and the rest of the Bloomington-Normal metro area. There are sidewalks lining the streets in Downtown Bloomington, so residents may not need a personal vehicle if they don’t travel far. For drivers, Interstates 55 and 74 overlap less than 2 miles west of the neighborhood, connecting them to Chicago, St. Louis and the rest of the nation’s major highways.
Downtown Bloomington residents can use the Connect bus to commute in the area.
Downtown Bloomington residents can use the Connect bus to commute in the area.
Illinois State University is located just north of Downtown Bloomington.
Illinois State University is located just north of Downtown Bloomington.
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Konrad Solberg
Written By
Konrad Solberg
Evan Brightfield
Photography Contributed By
Evan Brightfield
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Patrick Johnson

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Sean Caldwell, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Central Il Regional/Bloomington-Normal

14 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Bloomington US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 7 4
Assault with Weapon 7 4
Robbery 8 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Downtown Bloomington Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$415,000
Median Sale Price
$415,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$340,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$415,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
9
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$320

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
74
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
1927
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,152
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,511
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
958
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
930

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Aug 9
    9am - 10:45pm

    212 N Center St Unit 201, Bloomington, IL 61701

    $395,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,885 Sq Ft
    • 212 N Center St
    • Unit 201

    Experience upscale living in this stunning 3-bedroom, 2-bath luxury condo in the historic Ensenberger Building. The 3rd bedroom is currently used as a dining room loft but can easily be converted. Originally transformed into luxury residences in 2008, this elegant home was completed with high-end upgrades in 2023. The primary suite offers a spa-like retreat with a 12-ft Kohler oversized rainfall

    Patrick Kniery RE/MAX Rising

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Sean Caldwell, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
1,274
Median Age
38
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
15.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$28,963
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$46,237

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
90.7%
College Graduates
33.9%
Advanced Degrees
8.4%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.2%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
8''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

75 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

90 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

49 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Reviews

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Bloomington
Sean Caldwell
RE/MAX Rising
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