Located in the heart of Central Illinois, approximately 125 miles southwest of Chicago and 155 miles northeast of St. Louis, the Bloomington–Normal metro area is a safe (ranked #30 for Safety) and vibrant community that embodies Midwest hospitality and ambition.
It was here where Abraham Lincoln proved himself as a top attorney and the town has been attracting talent ever since. More and more corporate headquarters and branch offices have opened in recent years, attracted by historic downtown spaces and, with an average rent well under $1,000, an ability to house employees and draw in young people looking for affordable housing. And plenty of that talent has already arrived: the city’s citizenry ranked #11 in our Educational Attainment subcategory.
But it’s not all work: there are three golf courses in town, plus lots of music venues (see proximity to Chicago and St. Louis) to keep the good times flowing. The Castle Theatre is a must for music lovers—a throwback to spare-no-expense architecture and a reminder to the city of what’s possible.