The town of Normal comprises half of central Illinois’s Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area. Known as the Twin Cities, locals also call the region BN or Blo-No. The town used to be called North Bloomington when it was first founded in 1845, but it changed to Normal after the establishment of Illinois State Normal University—an education institution. Eventually, the school offered more than teaching programs and changed its name to Illinois State University. Today, life in Normal revolves around the college. Its 52,000 residents can cheer on the Redbirds at football and softball games or spot students out during the academic year. “Normal has a college-town fee,” says broker Tracy Haas Riley with BHHS Central Illinois Realtors. “It’s more heavily devoted to students and student life.” Still, its town center—named Uptown Normal—offers local restaurants and a rail trail through the Twin Cities brings a biking culture to the area.
Old North Normal retains a rustic and peaceful atmosphere.
Illinois State University has over 21,000 total students.
Old North Normal is located in the vibrant, award-winning city of Normal, IL.
Illinois State University was founded in 1857 by Jesse W. Fell.
1/4
Historic districts by the university and the northern golfing community
Normal’s median housing price is around $250,000. That's signifincalty below national average housing costs, but home prices increased by 8% over the past year. The town’s different subdivisions offer a variety of housing styles, including split-levels, New Traditionals and ranch-style homes. Townhome and condo communities spread across the town, with a slightly higher median price, closer to $312,000. Right in the center of Normal, sandwiched between ISU’s campus and Uptown, Old North Normal District is a designated historic district with American Foursquares and bungalows built between 1870 and 1950. Its proximity to campus makes it popular with university staff and students, with Greek letters marking sorority and fraternity houses. “You’ve also got a few golf course subdivisions,” Riley says. “All the way north is the Ironwood golf community, but to the south in Bloomington, you also have Fox Creek. They couldn’t be farther away from each other, but that’s probably why it’s the Twin Cities—because the one and the other go together.” Ironwood offers closer access to the golf course, featuring Colonial Revival homes built in the 90s.
The rate of violent crime in Normale has increased in the last four years and is slightly higher than national and statewide averages, according to data compiled by the FBI. Property crime rates are about on par.
The Innovation District features many ranch style homes built in the mid 20th century.
Old North Normal features many updated homes built in the mid 20th century.
Ironwood is full of great colonial revival style homes.
Townhomes in the Pleasant Hills neighborhood range from $175,000 to $290,000 in Normal, IL.
1/4
Biking through the Twin Cities on the Constitution Trail
Uptown Circle sits in the center of Uptown Normal, just a small circle of green encompassed by trees and benches where people can sit after shopping. The space is where the town hosts a lot of its community events. The Constitution Trail used to be the Illinois Central railway, stretching 45 miles and connecting Normal with Bloomington. In addition to the trail, the town government is adding separated and shared bike lanes and intersection approvements to increase safety for bikers and support the biking culture in Normal. Their efforts helped the town win a bronze-level ranking from the League of American Bicyclists in 2023 for its bike-friendly amenities.
The Constitution Trail, great for biking, runs through the heart of Old North Normal.
Enjoy a brisk morning walk along the Constitution Trail.
Greenbriar residents have quick access to many activities around Bloomington/Normal.
Uptown Normal is within biking distance of Greenbriar.
1/4
ISU's college-town impact and employment opportunities
Located in the center of Normal, ISU’s sprawling campus serves over 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Cook Hall, one of its academic buildings, is on the National Register of Historic Places, well known for its castle-like architecture. However, the school is also a major employer for Bloomington-Normal’s residents, with BN’s Visitors Bureau listing it as the second biggest employer, just under State Farm Insurance, which has an office in Bloomington. “Normal is a college-driven town on the economic side—it’s going to have more seasonal businesses and traffic around the school,” Riley says. “When choosing between Normal and Bloomington, it’s going to come down to how close someone would want to be from State Farm or Illinois State.”
McLean County Unit District Number 5 serves Normal’s students from kindergarten through their senior years. Niche grants it an A-minus ranking and lists it as the 26th best school district for athletes in Illinois.
Normal Community West High School serves students of Broadway-Fell Corridor.
Westbrooke is just minutes from Illinois State University.
Major employer, Ferrero, sits within Bloomington city limits.
Illinois State University is just a block away from Kingsridge.
1/4
Uptown Normal's music scene and annual circus
Football fans fill Hancock Stadium in the fall to cheer on the Redbirds. “We have a lot of parents who come into town. There are people who come to watch ISU girls’ softball or football,” Riley says. In Uptown, Make Music Normal is the city’s annual July music festival. In August, the Sweet Corn Circus offers circus performances and wrestling matches in Uptown Circle.
Residents love competing in the yearly Hill of a Race endurance event near Eagles Landing.
Bloomington farmers markets are regular in Miller Park near Eagles Landing.
Children in costumes radiate excitement as they gather treats and explore Uptown Normal.
With Hancock Stadium a short walk away, families never have to miss a Redbirds game.
1/4
Normal's Amtrak station and regional airport connecting to major cities
Other than biking around town, buses powered by Connect Transit run throughout Normal, stopping at ISU’s campus and the eastern side’s shopping centers. Main Street cuts down the center of town, going past the university and Uptown. Interstates 55 and 74 run along the outskirts of town, connecting Normal with Champaign, Peoria and Chicago. Located right in Uptown Normal, the Bloomington-Normal Amtrak Station runs to Chicago, Kansas City and Saint Louis. Just 6 miles south, Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal offers nonstop flights to Chicago, Atlanta and Denver through airlines like Delta and American.
Normal has a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters. When snow builds up, Normal sends out trucks to plow and salt roads. The town government gives each snowstorm a numerical ranking to determine the risk and amount of care roads will need.
Shops and restaurants in Uptown Normal and the eastern supermarkets
Uptown Normal offers local shops and restaurants in the brick Italianate buildings along Beaufort and North Streets, all leading to Uptown Circle at the center. An iconic landmark for the town, Normal Theater beams brightly with red-and-green neon and an old-fashioned marquee, highlighting its Art Moderne style from the 1930s. Cinephiles can stop in for showings of cult-classic and international films. While Uptown Normal has this piece of history in its center, people come to Normal’s dining options for the more modern feel. “Downtown Bloomington is older, more historic,” Riley says. “But Uptown Normal has been completely rebuilt in the past 15 years.” Most of Normal’s retail chains and supermarkets are on the eastern side of the city, lining Olde Route 66 in shopping enters like Parkway Shopping Center and Shoppes at College Hills.
Fell Park residents love to catch a movie at the Normal Theater.
Bloomington, IL was founded in 1831 and has a current population of 73,587.
The history of Rt 66 & Normal, IL nd at the McClean County Museum near Pheasant Ridge.
Residents can grab their weekly groceries at the local Kroger.
On average, homes in Normal, IL sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Normal, IL over the last 12 months is $250,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Hello, I am Grace McDermott, a licensed Real Estate Agent affiliated with the Brownfield & Kniery Group at REMAX Rising. My academic journey led me to a degree in Business/Marketing from the University of Missouri, a foundation that has greatly contributed to my understanding of the real estate landscape. During my time at the university, I gained practical experience working in the office of an apartment complex with American Campus Communities, where I assisted with tours, leasing contracts, and customer service. This invaluable exposure solidified my path towards becoming a Real Estate Broker.
With an in-depth knowledge of market trends, strong negotiation skills, and a proven record of customer satisfaction, I am dedicated to helping you achieve your real estate goals. Whether you're looking to buy, sell, or invest, I am here to provide tailored strategies and unwavering support throughout the entire process. Feel free to get in touch with me at 309.445.2588 or gracemcdhomes@gmail.com!
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.
