Bloomington

by The Linguist

Population

Bloomington is a city located in southern Indiana. According to the Wikipedia page for Bloomington, the population was 80,405 at the 2010 census. It is the seventh-largest city in Indiana and the fourth-largest outside the Indianapolis metropolitan area. The city is the county seat of Monroe County.

Bloomington is home to Indiana University Bloomington, the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Nearly half of Bloomington’s population is affiliated with Indiana University, which gives the city a distinctive college town character.

Economy and Major Employers

The economy of Bloomington is dominated by Indiana University and its associated hospitals, research centers and cultural institutions. The university employs over 17,000 people and has an annual economic impact of over $2 billion on the Bloomington area, according to the city’s website.

Other major employers in Bloomington include:

  • Cook Medical – Medical device manufacturer
  • Catalent – Pharmaceutical manufacturer
  • Baxter Pharmaceuticals – Pharmaceutical manufacturer
  • General Electric – Engineering and product development

Healthcare, education, technology and advanced manufacturing are important industries in Bloomington. The city has worked to revitalize its downtown area by supporting small businesses and fostering an arts and culture scene. The economy remains heavily tied to Indiana University and its capabilities in fields like informatics and life sciences research.

Attractions

Some of the top attractions in Bloomington include:

  • Indiana University Bloomington – The beautiful campus includes historic buildings, museums, performing arts venues and more.
  • WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology – Hands-on science museum with exhibits on physics, the human body and more.
  • Monroe County History Center – Learn about the history of the area through exhibits and artifacts.
  • Monroe Lake – Popular spot for boating, fishing, hiking and more just south of the city.
  • College Mall – Large shopping center with department stores, restaurants and more.

The downtown Bloomington area is known for its restaurants, bars, independent shops and creative vibe. The city has a thriving local music scene and several live performance venues. Bloomington’s festivals, such as the Taste of Bloomington food festival and the Lotus World Music & Arts Festival, attract visitors throughout the year.

Sports Teams

As a major college town, Bloomington is best known for its Indiana University sports teams. The Indiana Hoosiers compete in NCAA Division I and are part of the Big Ten Conference. Popular teams include:

Sports are a huge part of the culture in Bloomington and locals passionately support their Hoosiers. Basketball games at Assembly Hall or football games at Memorial Stadium are major events.

City Government

Bloomington has a mayor-council form of government. The current mayor is John Hamilton, a Democrat who was elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019. The City Council acts as the legislative body and consists of six district representatives and three at-large representatives.

Some of the city’s government departments and services include:

You can learn more about the city government structure and services available in Bloomington on the city’s website.

Tourism

As a popular college town, Bloomington attracts many visitors each year who come to experience the culture, restaurants, arts and sports. Concerts, conferences, festivals and university events also draw large crowds.

The city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau promotes Bloomington as a tourist destination. Their website provides information on things to do, places to stay, events and more for those travelling to the area.

Some of the most popular hotels include:

Visitors flying into the area typically arrive via the Monroe County Airport, which offers daily flights to and from Chicago and Charlotte.

Popular sites for visitors include the Indiana University campus, Monroe Lake, WonderLab Museum, the Bloomington Farmers Market and the B-Line walking/biking trail that runs through downtown. There are also many unique restaurants, bars, art galleries and shops to explore.

Famous Landmarks

Some of the most famous landmarks in Bloomington include:

  • Indiana University – The historic campus features iconic buildings like the Sample Gates, the Old Crescent dormitories, the Indiana Memorial Union, and Assembly Hall.
  • Monroe County Courthouse – Striking Beaux-Arts style courthouse built in 1908 in downtown Bloomington.
  • Monroe Lake – Man-made lake just south of the city that offers recreational opportunities.
  • WonderLab Museum – Distinctive hands-on science museum known for its outdoor Science Park.

The city is filled with Hoosier pride, so landmarks related to Indiana University athletics hold significance as well. These include Assembly Hall, Memorial Stadium, the John Wooden statue outside Assembly Hall, and more.