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Demographics and census information

2010 Census data

The information has been compiled using data primarily from the 2010 census, with comparisons to 2000 in some cases. 

  2010 2000 Change Percent Change
Population 82,893 85,172 (2,279) -2.7%
Housing Units 37,641 37,104 537 1.4%
Occupied Housing Units (Households) 35,905 36,400 (495) -1.4%
Vacant Housing Units 1,736 704 1,032 146.6%
Housing Vacancy Rate 4.6% 1.9% NA NA
Population in Group Quarters 991 1,326 (335) -25.3%
Average Household Size 2.28 2.30 (0.02) -0.9%
Population in Households 81,902 83,846 (1,944) -2.3%

The demographic data provided on this page reflects the tracts and block groups used by the Census Bureau. For the 2010 census, Bloomington was divided into 21 census tracts and 75 block groups. The 2000 Census used the same 21 tracts but included 77 block groups.

Age

The 2010 Census has called attention to the continued aging of the population at the local, state, and national levels. Policy makers must consider current and future age data when designing public services including recreational offerings, housing programs, transit services and many others. 

In comparison with the rest of the metropolitan area, Bloomington has a relatively mature population.

Education

Foreign-born population

Household and family size

In the 1950s and 1960s, when Bloomington saw the bulk of its population growth, a high percentage of new housing units were purchased by families with young children. Average household size in 1960 was 4.2 people per household, falling to 2.28 people per household in 2010.

Changes in average household size have had a strong impact on the public school system. In the 1960s, Bloomington school enrollment peaked at 25,000 students. In 2010, there were around 10,800 students in Bloomington public schools. 

Housing

Changes in values and rent levels often reflect the construction of new units within a neighborhood. Inflation-adjusted maps are offered to show changes in rent and house values in real dollars.

  • PDF iconMultifamily housing  in Bloomington - 2010 - The American Community Survey tracks housing type by the number of units in a structure. In this file, "multifamily housing" refers to units that have more than two units per structure.

Income

These links provide data on median incomes, poverty and high-income households. Inflation-adjusted maps show how income has changed with respect to purchasing power.

Language

Population

From 2000 to 2010, Bloomington's population decreased by 2.68%, a reflection of smaller average household sizes and an increase in vacant housing units. Households decreased by 1.36%, a reflection of a higher vacancy rate than in 2000. Employment decreased by 12.76%, a reflection of the economic recession and increased commercial vacancy rates.

The most recent certified population levels for Bloomington (prepared by the Metropolitan Council in July 2012 for per capita state aid and fiscal disparities distributions) are:

  • Population: 83,671
  • Housing units: 37,831
  • Households (occupied housing units): 36,256
  • Population in group quarters: 1,190
  • Average people per household: 2.75

Race 

Citywide racial distribution data can be found in Bloomington's PDF iconProfile of General Demographic Characteristics .

Single-parent families

Transit use

These links describe Bloomington's use of public transportation for trips to and from work. Neighborhoods' use of transit is difficult to compare since service levels vary considerably from neighborhood to neighborhood.

Unemployment

Links for further census information

Contact Information