Indiana college town with rich history and scenery
This Indiana town got its name from the blooming flora that garnered settlers' attention during the early 19th century. Greenery aside, Bloomington has a history and a community that belies its size of nearly 80,000 people. The city also contributed to Indiana’s renowned limestone industry, which provided materials for iconic sites like New York’s Empire State Building. The city's limestone legacy lives on through its quirky stone sculptures and in Indiana University’s Gothic and Romanesque buildings.
Alex Everett, a Realtor with Century 21 Scheetz, says, "Bloomington is a very pretty place to live - with all the trees. I lived in northern Indiana for a little bit, and it’s nothing but flat cornfields. Man, it’s terrible. Drive down that highway, it puts you to sleep, no matter how much coffee you’ve had. I would also say the small-town mentality here, the sense of community and Indiana University make it very popular, and people love it.”
Bloomington is home to Indiana University, a campus with gothic themed architecture.
Monroe Lake offers outdoor fun in South Bloomington.
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Historic and affluent contemporary homes amid many apartments
The areas around downtown and IU have some of the city’s oldest homes and some of the largest architectural variety. Craftsman bungalows, Queen Annes, Tudor Revivals and even Art Deco and Spanish Revival designs are just a few of the styles found here. Homes closer to the city’s outskirts include affluent contemporary Traditionals and midcentury moderns. Many homes here exhibit limestone craftsmanship, with those in the Elm Heights neighborhood being the most prominent examples. A new neighborhood called 'the Hopewell project' is also coming to the old hospital site near downtown.
Homes mainly cost between $250,000 and $650,000. The city's median price is $320,000, which is nearly $100,000 below the national median. Bloomington also has many apartment options for the more than half of its population that rents.
Queen Anne designs are scattered throughout Bloomington.
Midcentury and ranch architectural designs also make up much of the housing stock in Bloomington.
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City parks and adventures at Griffy and Monroe lakes
Bloomington’s recreational amenities include more than two dozen parks, two public pools, miles of trails and a 27-hole municipal golf course. The 65-acre Switchyard Park is the city’s newest outdoor attraction and boasts amenities like a splash pad and an all-inclusive playground. The park also provides access to the 3-mile-long B-Line Trail.
Bloomington also holds a Tree City USA designation and Dunn's Woods is just one example of this area's exceptional tree canopy. Located on the IU campus, Dunn's Woods is a protected forest that features species ranging from sugar maples to sycamores and basswoods. For fishing, camping and hiking, there’s the 109-acre Griffy Lake. Nearby, the 10,000-acre Monroe Lake and Brown County State Park are two additional recreation options. “I think … we’re lucky with our topography,” says Kristi Gibbs, a broker with Century 21 Scheetz. “Being in a university town is also key. It’s something I’ve realized I really enjoy. There’s always something going on whether you’re into sports, the arts or music. You can always find something to do.”
Monroe Lake is a 10,000 acre lake with beautiful water in Bloomington.
The 65-acre Switchyard Park is Bloomington's newest outdoor attraction with many great amenities.
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Top 20 school district, IU and Ivy Tech option
The Monroe County School Community Corporation provides public education in the city and oversees 24 schools. The ratings site Niche gives the district an overall A grade for performance and also ranks it among the 20 best school systems in the state. The district also places special emphasis on STEM programming and reflects the community’s multiculturalism in its language coursework. The state also offers the opportunity for students to earn a certificate of multilingual proficiency in 100 languages.
IU offers several top programs, and its Jacobs School of Music is considered among the best institutions of its kind in the country. One of the music program’s famous students was Booker T. Jones, of the legendary R&B group Booker T. & the M.G.’s. Those seeking two-year degrees can enroll at the local Ivy Tech Community College campus.
71% of Bloomington High School South students are at least proficient in reading.
Indiana University is the city's largest employer with around 12,000 faculty members.
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The Little 500 race and Hoosier sports
The streets around downtown and IU shut down during seasonal events like the city’s signature Little 500 race. Held annually each April, this major bike race takes place at the university’s Bill Armstrong Stadium and attracts fans and celebrities alike and was even featured in the 1979 movie “Breaking Away."
Whether it’s basketball at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall or football at Indiana University Memorial Stadium, Hoosier games here are a favorite pastime. “I can tell you the community around here is fantastic. Everybody comes out for events like this at IU, and everybody just seems to know everybody up here,” says 2024 IU graduate Joe Lincoln following a Hoosiers basketball game at Assembly Hall. “It’s fantastic, especially with the way the football team was this year. It seemed like everybody was coming in droves to Bloomington to see them. You really can’t go wrong with any Indiana sporting event.”
Watch the Hoosiers play at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.
Many Hoosier fans also enjoy watching a basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.
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IU’s dominance and rising startup scene
With roughly 12,000 faculty and staff members, IU is the city’s largest employer, and the university is also affiliated with the IU Health Bloomington Hospital. Cook Medical, a medical device maker headquartered in Bloomington, follows the university as the second largest employer and has more than 3,000 employees in Bloomington. The city also has a burgeoning startup scene, with focus in The Trades District. Here, co-working spaces like The Mill are run out some of the town’s refurbished factory buildings, while The Forge is a larger brand-new office space that has garnered interest from tech companies and some boutique hotels.
Although Bloomington’s population has increased steadily throughout much of its history, in recent years it has decreased by a few percentage points and IU students make up more than half of the nearly 79,000 people who live in Bloomington. The city’s residents also include many “Bloomerangs,” a term used to describe those who moved here solely to attend IU, left, but returned years later to put down roots.
The Bloomington Transit system provides bus transportation in this otherwise highly walkable and bikeable city. The Indiana State Road 45/46 bypass is one of the main thoroughfares, and Interstate 69’s recent extension has forged a stronger connection between Bloomington and Indianapolis. The area has access to the Monroe County Airport, but the site mainly handles general aviation. Travelers here typically go to the Indianapolis International Airport to catch commercial flights.
Cook Medical, a medical device maker headquartered in Bloomington, follows the university as the second largest employer.
The Bloomington transit runs all throughout the city.
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Downtown Bloomington’s international flavor and trendy boutiques
Downtown Bloomington is regularly bustling with pedestrians shuffling between its many bars and restaurants. At the Fountain Square Mall, locals can browse boutiques specializing in everything from cigars to women’s apparel and Anyetsang’s Little Tibet and Janko’s Little Zagreb are just two of this city's popular international restaurants. Local chains include Mother Bear’s Pizza, known for its deep-dish pies and Nick’s English Hut and the Upland Brewing Company are two popular watering holes.
Commercial corridors occupy the east and west ends of town and include the College Mall, home to one of the largest Kroger grocery stores in the state.
Nick's English Hut is one of several local iconic restaurants in Bloomington.
Stop by one of the many local boutiques in Bloomington.
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Important to know
Bloomington’s average daily temperature falls around 53 degrees, which is on par with the national average. The National Weather Service’s climate data shows the city averages about 17 inches of snowfall annually, which is significantly more than many parts of the American South but less than some other places in the Midwest. By contrast, the Twin Cities area averages 51 inches of snow annually. Southern Indiana can also experience freezing rain, sleet, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.
The latest and most complete FBI stats show Bloomington’s violent crime rate is less than half of Indianapolis’. Indy’s property crime rate is also nearly 50% higher than Bloomington’s. However, Bloomington has slightly higher crime rates than Indiana and the country. FBI stats show violent and property crime in Bloomington fell by about 12% between 2020 and 2023.
On average, homes in Bloomington, IN sell after 60 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Bloomington, IN over the last 12 months is $315,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Hello, Central Indiana! From the classrooms of Greenwood to the bustling housing market of Indianapolis, I've dedicated my life to serving and guiding our community. With 20 years as an educator and since June 2020 as a realtor, I embody what Dave Ramsey often says: the "heart of a teacher".
Why partner with me on your real estate journey? ** Educated Decisions: I provide the patience and meticulousness of a seasoned teacher to every transaction. ** Local Expertise: Deeply rooted in Indianapolis and the broader Central Indiana area, I understand the nuances of our market. ** Client-first Approach: You'll be well-informed and supported every step of the way.
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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.
