While much of Normal’s Innovation District is dedicated to Illinois State University’s campus, its streets are lined with condos, small homes and businesses supporting the university. Cruising along West College Avenue, drivers pass under a walkway bearing the name and mascot of Illinois State University. University buildings like Hancock Stadium and Hewett Hall characterize other streets throughout the neighborhood. East of the ISU Main Campus, a handful of restaurants and museums await residents, and streets to the southeast of campus hold a variety of homes and businesses. “A lot of people live here for the school,” says Chris Leggins, a student who’s lived in the area for over four years. “It’s the sort of place you’re going to meet someone from outside the town.”
The Innovation District is located in the vibrant, award-winning city of Normal, IL.
Illinois State University sits in the heart of the Innovation District.
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National grocery and restaurant chains nearby
On South Main Street, south of the university, Fusion Brew sells coffee. Chain restaurants like Chipotle and Noodles and Company line Main Street with Fusion Brew. However, streets east of campus hold local restaurants like The Rock, which serves Mediterranean and American fare. A couple blocks east of The Rock, The Children’s Discovery Museum offers hands-on exhibits that aim to teach children as they play. On West Vernon Avenue, south of the museum, the Illinois Art Station offers families and young artists a place to create. For grocery trips, residents have to head down South Main Street to Kroger or head east on College Avenue to reach chains like Target, Meijer and Walmart.
Residents can grab their weekly groceries at the local Kroger.
Located within the Innovation District, The Rock, serves Mediterranean and American dishes.
The exhibits at the Children's Discovery Museum are designed to teach kids while they play.
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Housing for families and students
With the university creating much of the neighborhood’s housing demand, condos are readily available and range in price from $122,000 to $135,000. Single-family homes come in the form of bungalows, ranch-style homes and split-level Colonial Revivals. Homes needing work can sell as low as $115,000, while larger, renovated homes can sell as high as $330,000. The median home price is $190,000, which aligns with the previous year’s median.
Ranch style homes with detached garages dominate the community in the Innovation District.
Homes the Innovation District feature up to a quarter-acre of yard space.
The Innovation District features many ranch style homes built in the mid 20th century.
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Small parks and miles of trails
On South University Street, People’s Park is outlined with a short, paved trail and holds grills and a picnic shelter where residents can gather and share a picnic. Just east of the neighborhood, swimmers can get their laps in at the Anderson Park pool, kids can climb the park’s playground and basketballers can join a pickup game at the park’s basketball courts. The neighborhood is also home to miles of trails that connect to Bloomington-Normal’s Constitution Trail. The trail covers roughly 37 miles of old railroad property and attracts bikers, runners and walkers.
Enjoy the serene surroundings at People's Park.
Enjoy a brisk morning walk along the Constitution Trail.
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Access to interstate travel two miles north
Bloomington-Normal’s Connect Transit bus system serves Innovation District with stops along streets around the Illinois State University campus, including the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, South Main Street. Drivers can take South Main Street 2 miles north to Interstate 55, which puts Chicago 134 miles away. Residents who like to walk can enjoy miles of sidewalks lining the streets or the network of trails connecting sections of Innovation District.
The Innovation District is conveniently located just miles from Interstate 55.
Connect Transit allows residents to grab a bus headed anywhere within Bloomington-Normal.
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Celebrating cars and corn
Illinois State University hosts a large homecoming celebration every fall. Festivities include a 5k run, a football game and tailgating. The university also serves as the home of the Special Olympics Illinois games each summer, bringing thousands of athletes and supporters to the campus. “In the summertime, there’s a concert series uptown,” Leggins says. “There’s a car show and a corn festival in the summer, and there’s always something going on during the school year.” Normal LIVE is a series of concerts held from spring to fall at Uptown Circle, at the intersection of West North Street and West Beaufort Street. Cruisin’ Uptown Normal is an annual car show bringing classic and contemporary cars together for a day of cars and live music. To celebrate the city’s roots in agriculture, the city organizes the annual Sweet Corn Circus. The festival is a two-day celebration with arts, flea market vendors and sidewalk sales.
Illinois’ oldest public university
Glenn Elementary School serves young Innovation District students with kindergarten through fifth grade and earns a B-plus on Niche. Students can attend sixth through eighth grades at Kingsley Junior High School, which earns a B. Normal Community West High School earns a B-plus. Its girls' soccer team has won four Big Twelve Conference Titles and twice qualified for the Illinois High School Association State Tournament. Founded in 1857, Illinois State University is the cornerstone of Innovation District and the oldest public university in Illinois.
Educational opportunities abound at Glenn Elementary School.
Students can take advantage of numerous sports opportunities at Kinglsey Jr High School.
Normal Community West High School offers plenty of AP and honors courses.
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?
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Parks in this Area
Fairview Park & Aquatic Center
Miller Park
Constitution Trail
People's Park
Transit
Airport
Central Il Regional/Bloomington-Normal
15 min drive
Bus
Beaufort St & University St - S
Bus
Fell St & Beaufort St
Bus
Main St & Willow St
Bus
Willow St & University St - S
Bus
Fell St & North St
Bus
Main St & Cullom St
Bus
Main St & Virginia Ave
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Innovation District
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Innovation District Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Innovation District, Normal sell after 4 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Innovation District, Normal over the last 12 months is $195,000, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Elevate your Redbird living experience at The Social at Illinois State, offering 4-bedroom furnished options steps from ISU. Our prime location ensures easy access to class, restaurants, and Uptown Normal. With spacious and renovated interiors, we create an environment supporting every lifestyle. Whether advancing your career, building connections, or enjoying your time as a Redbird, we've got
Elevate your Redbird living experience at The Social on Hovey, providing 2, 3, & 4-bedroom furnished floorplans steps from Illinois State University. Our prime location ensures easy access to campus, restaurants, and Uptown Normal. With newly renovated communal amenities and thoughtfully designed interiors, we create an environment supporting every lifestyle. Whether you're advancing your career,
Class Act Realty has a variety of homes, townhomes, apartments, duplexes & condos for student and family living. Check our website for current listings at classactrealty. com
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kenley Kaisershot,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
8,740
Median Age
23
Population Density
16 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
2.7%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$16,753
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$38,052
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
41.4%
Advanced Degrees
10.1%
% Population in Labor Force
52.7%
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®
71/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
83/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
50/ 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.
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.
