BlockBefore

Bloomington, Illinois

14 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1951 and the latest in 1998. It stands in Bloomington City Township. It lies in ZIP code area 61701. The Survey maps it on the Bloomington East quadrangle. 78,680 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 797 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Bloomington within McLean County

On record in Bloomington

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 12 of 19 shown

Every listing in McLean County

Population over time

3 figures

Bloomington grew from 64,808 to 78,680 between 2000 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
200064,808
201076,610+11,802 (+18%)
202078,680+2,070 (+3%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

8 surveys from 14 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

What happened here

An account from the chapter on Bloomington City township. The inset identifies its exact source book and publication year.

From History of Bloomington and Normal, in McLean County, Illinois, published 1879 - Bloomington City Township

Political History

Our city has always claimed that the great Republican party of the nation had its "birth at Major's Hall in 1856. At the risk of being attacked for our audacity, we will undertake to declare this a spurious claim. In the fall of 1854, the opposition to the Nebraska bill all over the country fought its battles under different names, generally as Free-Soilers, Anti-Nebraska Democrats, the Whig or American party; though in Massa- -chusetts the Free-Soilers and Anti-Nebraska Democrats had declared theoaselves to be Republicans.

Read the rest of this passage

In the county-history sources

72,613 words on this township

History of Bloomington and Normal, in McLean County, Illinois, published 1879 names this settlement in its chapter on Bloomington City Township. These are the passages that mention it, exactly as the scans read.

Our township has been situated in allegiance to many different counties. In 1817, Illinois being then a Territory, the county of Crawford was in power here. In 1819, a year after the State of Illinois had been admitted into the Union, Clark County had jurisdiction, while, in 1821, Fayette County was organized, extending northeast as far as the Illinois River, and to Fayette our first settlers owed allegiance. As understood at the time, Fayette reached to the Wisconsin line. This was the meaning of the act incorporating Fayette County, but as, by a previous law, Pike County included all north of the Illinois River, Fayette County could not enforce its claiiu to its most northern territory.

Passage source: History of Bloomington and Normal, in McLean County, Illinois, published 1879.

All this region of country now known as McLean County, east of the Third Principal Meridian, was situated in the county of Fayette, and thus remained until the development of the country several years later rendered it absolutely necessary that this immense tract should be subdivided into several counties. We will attempt to give the names of only a few of the first settlers of this township, mentioning some of the most prominent, but may, through inadvertence, omit others equally deserving. In 1822, John Hendrix and John W. Dawson, with their families, settled in the southern portion of Blooming Grove. There was with them in the same year a single man of the name of Segur, who, however, did not stay long in the settlement, he having sold his claim in 1823 to Mr. William Orendorfi". Mr. Dawson remained four years, when he removed to near the site of the old Indian town in Old Town Timber. During these four years, while his family lived at the Grove, there were no less than fifteen difi"erent families who made their homes here, so that Blooming Grove very soon became a wellsettled community. Mr. Hendrix is entitled to the honor of being the first settler, as Mr. Dawson's family did not arrive till after Mr. H. had been here some weeks. Of the family of John W. Dawson, who came in 1822, we will here remark that two are now living in the city of Bloomington, having moved from Old Town many years ago. The oldest is Mrs. William Paist, whose first husband was Maj. Owen Cheney. She was about eight years old when her father moved to the Indian town. She was a great favorite with the Indian squaws, who often carried her to their homes, keeping her for days at a time, where the little girl was greatly pleased and interested. Mrs. P. does not even yet appear aged - scarcely elderly. She takes a great interest in society, and it seems hardly possible that this active lady has seen the full growth and development of Blooming Grove, of Bloomington City and of McLean County. Her brother, John Dawson, is the next oldest pioneer now living in our city.

Passage source: History of Bloomington and Normal, in McLean County, Illinois, published 1879.

In the year 1823, William Orendorff and wife arrived, with Mr. Thomas Orendorff, then a young man of twenty-three. In 1824, Mr. Goodheart and W. H. Hodge settled at the Grove, and about the same time Mr. William Walker and family, and enough others to bring the whole number of families up to about fifteen by the end of the year 1824. There were no exceptions to the general good character attributed to all of the first families, thus giving illustration to the old saying in regard to " birds of a feather."

Passage source: History of Bloomington and Normal, in McLean County, Illinois, published 1879.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Bloomington City Township - it names this place 9 more 9 times.

Fires near this place

1 since 2013

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 1 fire within 5 miles of Bloomington in 2013, burning about 2 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
3 April 2013Missing data/not specified/undetermined2.0 acresIllinois Division of Forestry ResourcesTALASKI

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in McLean County

Mines and quarries near this place

5 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 5 workings within 5 miles of Bloomington: 3 past producers, 1 plant, 1 producer. 2 still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Stone. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Normal City PitStonePast Producer
Baugh Pit & MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionPlant
Market Street PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Rowe Pit No. 3Sand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Rowe Pit No.2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer

Every working recorded in McLean County

Storms near this place

60 of 102 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Bloomington in 102 storm reports between 1993 and 2026: 57 thunderstorm wind, 39 hail, 2 tornado, 2 flash flood. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
July 2008LightningBloomington$200,000Lightning struck the roof of Bent Elementary School in Bloomington causing extensive damage to the roof and chimney. There were no injuries.
September 2010LightningBloomington$50,000A lightning strike occurred in the 300 block of St. Joseph Drive in Bloomington. The resulting fire caused approximately $50,000 in damages to the roof of a physician's office building.
December 2008Thunderstorm WindBloomington$50,000Strong winds damaged three to four buildings at a farmstead near Ireland Grove Road and Towanda Barnes Road. A machine shed was also destroyed.
December 2008Thunderstorm WindBloomington$40,000Four semi trucks were blown over on I-55 and I-74 on the west side of Bloomington.
September 2019Thunderstorm WindBloomington$30,000Numerous trees and tree branches were blown down across Bloomington including at: Poplar and Linden, Washington and Prospect, Airport and Towanda, and Meadows Trailer Court.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindBloomington$30,000Numerous tree limbs and power lines were blown down from Bloomington to Lexington.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindBloomington$25,000Numerous large tree limbs were blown down, including one that damaged a car.
September 2010Thunderstorm WindBloomington$25,000Numerous powerlines were blown down in the city of Bloomington.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindBloomington$21,000A large tree was blown down onto a van, severely damaging it. Another large tree fell onto a fence.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindBloomington$20,000Several trees and tree limbs were blown down.
August 2008Thunderstorm WindBloomington$20,000Several trees were blown down onto powerlines.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindBloomington$2,000A 10-inch diameter tree was blown down at Alexander Rd. and Six Points Rd. in Bloomington.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Several large tree limbs were blown down at the corner of West Mulberry Street and North Catherine Street.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A tree was blown down at North Western Avenue near West Seminary Avenue blocking the cul-de-sac to Nicole Court.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A large tree was blown over on Emerson Street.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Several tree branches were blown down at Illinois Wesleyan University.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A few tree branches were blown down on North Mason Street.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A large tree limb was blown onto the roof of a home near the intersection of South Main Street and Hamilton Road.
July 2024Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Several large tree limbs were blown down onto Morris Street a half mile north of Miller Park.
July 2024Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A large tree limb was blown down on South Linden Street near its intersection with Jersey Avenue.
July 2024Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Widespread tree damage occurred at Forrest and Miller Parks, including three large trees (larger than 2 feet in diameter) snapped and numerous large tree limbs downed.
March 2023Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Large trees were blown down on West Olive Street.
May 2023Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A large tree was blown down.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Several large tree branches were blown down.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Several 4 to 5-inch diameter tree branches were blown down.
October 2021Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A large tree was blown onto a metal shed.
August 2020Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A large tree limb was blown down.
May 2019Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A large tree was snapped at the base at Highland Park Golf Course. Several large tree limbs were blown down near Miller Park.
May 2019Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A large tree was blown onto an apartment building.
May 2019Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Several trees and tree branches were blown down.
June 2019Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A tree was blown down at the intersection of Market and Lee Streets.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Several large tree limbs were blown down.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A large tree branch was blown down in Bloomington.
March 2007Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Two trees were blown down.
April 2006Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Mobile homes destroyed on south side of town.
June 2006Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A few trees were blown down at Miller Park. In addition, several power lines were blown down on the south side of town.
June 2006Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A wood frame building under construction was severely damaged when portions of the frame were blown down.
May 2006Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Part of a roof sustained minor damage. An apple tree was uprooted.
June 2006Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Several large tree limbs were blown down in Miller Park. In addition, a large tree was blown down at the Highland Park Golf Course.
June 2006HailBloomington-A farm sustained severe crop damage from hail. Leaves were stripped off corn stalks and soybean plants were cut off near the ground. In addition, six large trees were damaged.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Trees and power lines were blown down all across town.
July 2005Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Power lines blown down.
September 2005Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Several trees and large tree limbs blown down.
May 2004Tornado (F0)Bloomington-A tornado briefly touched down in a field near the intersection of I-74 and US-51. No damage or injuries were reported.
May 2004Flash FloodBloomington-Several roads in Bloomington were flooded due to heavy rains.
August 2004Flash FloodBloomington-Several streets were flooded in Bloomington and Normal.
May 2001Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A large tree limb was blown down in town, as well as several power lines.
May 2000Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Several large tree limbs were blown down.
June 2000Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Several large trees, tree limbs and power lines were blown down.
February 1999Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A semi was blown over at the I-55/I-74 interchange on the southwest side of Bloomington. No injuries were reported. Also, a large tree was blown over across Veterans Parkway.
June 1999Tornado (F0)Bloomington-A tornado briefly touched down on Stringtown Road 4 miles southwest of Bloomington. No injuries or damage were reported.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindBloomington-A large tree was snapped off 4 to 5 feet above the ground one mile west of Bloomington, next to I-55. No structural damage or injuries were reported.
May 1998Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous power and cable lines in Bloomington, as well as, numerous tree limbs. No injuries were reported.
March 1998Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Numerous large tree limbs were blown down. One fell down onto an unoccupied car, causing the roof to cave in. No injuries were reported and no damage estimate was available.
April 1997Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Thunderstorm winds blew down a billboard on Veteran's Parkway in Bloomington then knocked down roof trusses of a house under construction 1 mile northwest of Downs. No injuries were reported and no damage estimate was available.
June 1995Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Numerous tree limbs and power lines were blown down with some minor damage to a few roofs.
August 1993Thunderstorm WindBloomington-Wind gusts to 60 mph were measured by Mclean County ESDA officials.
March 2026HailBloomington-no account filed
March 2026HailBloomington-no account filed
March 2026HailBloomington-no account filed

Every storm recorded in McLean County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Normal2.1 miles15
Bloomington Heights2.1 miles13
Cardinal Court2.3 miles15
Hedgewood3.4 miles15
Greenbriar3.5 miles15
North Pointe3.6 miles15
Colonial Meadows3.7 miles14
Eagle Ridge4.1 miles15

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on BloomingtonAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q577802The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 404579. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.