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Is Normal Illinois a Good Place to Live? 👪 | Complete Guide to Living in Normal IL

Last Updated on: 9th October 2024, 02:59 am

Deep within the low and fertile central plains of Illinois is the historic town of Normal. Also known as “The Junction,” Normal is one-half of the Normal-Bloomington area. The lively town of Normal is a great place to raise a family thanks to its plentiful jobs, great education, and plentiful outdoor attractions and amenities. Are you thinking about living in Normal IL? Here’s everything you want to know!

Is Normal Illinois a Good Place to Live?

Normal, Illinois, is a good place to live for families, offering a family-friendly environment, reputable public schools, and ample job opportunities. While it experiences some extreme weather patterns, including hot summers and cold, snowy winters, the town’s community-focused events and safety measures make it a desirable location for families. However, nightlife and activities for teenagers are limited.

How Did Normal Illinois Get Its Name?

Normal, Illinois, was originally named “North Bloomington” but changed its name to “Normal” in 1865. The name “Normal” was derived from Illinois State Normal University (now Illinois State University), a teachers’ college located in the town. “Normal” schools were colleges that trained high school graduates to become teachers, standardizing teacher education in the 19th century.

Where Is Normal Illinois?

The town of Normal, Illinois, is located in McLean County in Central Illinois where I-74, I-55, and I-39 converge. It’s adjacent to the city of Bloomington. Together, the two are called Bloomington-Normal, BN, or the Twin Cities.

It’s 36 miles from Normal IL to East Peoria IL and 74 miles south to Springfield, the state capital.

The town is surrounded by several small villages, unincorporated communities, and townships. Cities and towns near Bloomington-Normal are: Bloomington Heights, Towanda, Towanda Township, Barnes, Twin Grove, Yuton, Carlock, White Oak Township, Hudson, and Hudson Township.

The Uptown Station in the downtown area is a centralized hub for transportation within the town and the greater Central Illinois area. It sits along the 37-mile bike and pedestrian pathway connecting Normal and Bloomington with Amtrak train service and bus service from Burlington Trailways, Peoria Charter, and Connect Transit.

Federal Companies is a top-rated moving company in Normal near Heartland Community College. Living in Normal IL but pursuing new opportunities elsewhere? Call the best Normal movers today at (800) 747-4100 for a free moving estimate.

How Far Is Normal Illinois From Chicago?

It’s 132 miles from Normal IL to Chicago IL via I-55 North. The drive takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

What Is the Population of Normal Illinois?

The Normal Illinois population is 52,736 as of the 2020 census. It’s the smaller of the two principal cities comprising the Bloomington-Normal metro area, which is home to 190,000 people.

The population of Normal, Illinois, is 78.6% white (75.3% non-Hispanic), 12.7% Black or African American, 6.0% Hispanic, 3.9% Asian, and 3.7% two or more races.

Normal IL demographics:

  • Median age: 25.2 years
  • Sex ratio: 53% female to 47% male
  • Educational attainment: 54% bachelor’s degree or higher (metro: 46%)
  • Homeownership rate: 56%
  • Senior population (65+): 11%
  • Foreign-born population: 6.3%
  • Veteran population: 3.8%

Famous people from Normal include American football player Duke Slater and actors such as Colton Dunn of Key & Peele and Gary Sinise.

Is Normal Illinois a Small Town?

Normal is not a small town in the traditional sense, with a population of more than 50,000. However, it has a small-town atmosphere thanks to the suburban setting and the largely rural surroundings of Central Illinois.

Normal Illinois Courthouse

What Is the Crime Rate in Normal Illinois?

The Normal  IL crime rate is 1,576 incidents per 100,000 people. There are 1,349 property crimes and 228 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, with no homicides in 2022.

Normal, IL is a very safe place to live with crime that’s 32% below the national average and 38% less violent crime than the U.S. average.

When you live in Normal, you are served by the 81 sworn officers of the Normal Police Department.

What Is the Cost of Living in Normal Illinois?

The cost of living in Normal IL is very affordable and lower than the Illinois and national cost of living. The cost of living index of 82 is 18% lower than the national average and 12% below the Illinois cost of living.

Normal, IL housing costs have the biggest impact on your living expenses. The median price of houses for sale in Normal, IL is $256,000 and $107 per square foot. Home prices are up 11.5% year-over-year. By comparison, the U.S. median home price is now $434,000.

Planning to rent after moving to Normal? You’ll enjoy affordable rent, too. The average rent in Normal IL is $1,378, according to Rentcafe. Thanks to its large student population, there are several Normal IL apartments to choose from. BayOak Apartments offers two- and three-bedroom units starting at $1,330. Oak Point Apartments has one- to three-bedroom apartments starting at $1,300.

Normal IL Everyday Expenses – Common Prices at Grocery Stores & More

Below is an idea of Normal’s everyday costs provided by Numbeo:

  • Normal monthly utilities: $238
  • Internet: $65
  • Gallon of milk: $3.13
  • One dozen eggs: $3.02
  • Load of bread: $2.36
  • One pound of chicken filets: $4.96

What Is the Average Household Income in Normal Illinois?

The median household income in Normal, Illinois, is $63,965. That’s lower than the Bloomington-Normal metro area median of $75,356 and the Illinois median of $78,433.

What Is the Normal IL Sales Tax?

The Normal IL sales tax rate is 8.75%. This sales tax rate is a combination of state, county, and local taxes.

  • Illinois sales tax: 5.00%
  • McLean County sales tax: 0.25%
  • Town of Normal sales tax: 1.00%
  • Town of Normal sales tax that excludes vehicles and groceries: 2.50%

What Is the Best Neighborhood in Normal IL?

Ready to explore the best neighborhoods ahead of living in Normal IL? You’ll find many family-friendly neighborhoods in the community. Northeast Normal tends to be the most desirable due to the upper-income residential areas, whereas the northwest has the most affordable housing.

Downtown Normal, or Uptown Normal, is the most popular for college students attending Illinois State University. Aside from being a major student area, the downtown area has plenty of options for food and shopping within walking distance. Most options are centered around its iconic roundabout.

Kerrick, 4 miles north of the city center, is a perfect Normal neighborhood if you’re looking for a mix of spacious homes and an executive, affording lifestyle. Kerrick is home to the Ironwood Golf Course.

What Is the Normal IL Weather Like?

The Normal climate is humid continental climate with cold winters and warm, humid summers. The snowfall in Normal averages 22 inches per year – just slightly below the US average. After moving to Normal Illinois, you’ll enjoy 192 days of sunshine. Make sure you invest in a good raincoat: the area gets 39 inches of average rainfall. Normal experiences a low of 15 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and a high of 86 degrees Fahrenheit in summer.

The best time to visit Normal IL is May to June or September. You’ll enjoy the most pleasant weather of spring and early summer without the heat and humidity that come in July and August, or the crisp, mild weather of autumn.

What Are the Best Things to Do in Normal IL?

Normal offers plenty of family activities, festivals, music events, museums, and sporting events all year round. The Shoppes At College Hills is the main shopping mall in the area. Here are some fun things to do in Normal!

Children’s Discovery Museum

This exciting children’s museum has everything from a two-story mesh climber to hands-on exhibits to fun educational programs for the little ones! The Media World USA “Best of” Series even claimed it to be Illinois’s top creative children’s experience.

101 E Beaufort St, Normal, IL 61761 (309) 433-3444

Constitution Trail

Also shared with Bloomington, this nature-encompassed recreational amenity is known to be one of the most utilized and cherished trails throughout the town of Normal. Its 45-mile multiuse rail trail is perfect for those wanting to walk, run, bike, skateboard, in-line skate, and everything else that’s unmotorized!

Normal, IL (309) 454-9540

Normal Theater

The historic Normal Theater in Uptown Normal, IL is a restored 1937 Art Deco cinema. It’s owned by the town and shows classic and international films.

The Normal Theater, 209 W North St, Normal, IL 61761 (309) 454-9722

Additional Normal IL Attractions:

The town’s Parks and Recreation Department manages 25 facilities, trails, and parks in Normal Illinois.

What Are the Best Restaurants in Normal IL?

Ready to explore great places to eat while living in Normal IL? Here are some of the top-rated restaurants in town.

Medici in Normal

This charmingly aesthetic 2-story restaurant provides guests with local specialty beer and separate menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner. While eating everything from Italian butternut squash gnocchi to pretzel steak and cheese sandwiches, you’ll even have the option of dining on their rooftop patio!

120 W North St, Normal, IL 61761 (309) 452-6334

DESTIHL Restaurant and Brew Works

This Normal popular restaurant offers its guests a tasty variety of American-style sides and entrees. You can order everything from braid pot roast to Mexican street corn stove oven pizza. For the beer lovers, DESTIHL is best known for their incredibly successful passion for unique craft beer.

318 S Towanda Ave, Normal, IL 61761 (309) 862-2337

Does Normal IL Have a Good Public School System?

While living in Normal IL, you will be served by McLean County Unit District N0.5. The district has 25 good schools, and it’s known for offering quality education, a range of extracurricular activities, and various academic programs. The Normal IL school district consistently scores above state averages and receives positive feedback from the community for its dedicated staff and comprehensive curriculum.

A few of the most popular and highly-rated public schools in Normal include Grove Elementary School and the Normal Community High School.

Students also benefit from access to the Normal Public Library.

Residents enjoy great access to higher education at Illinois State University (ISU) and Heartland Community College.

Is Normal Illinois a Good College Town?

Normal is a well-regarded college town that is home to Illinois State University (ISU). The university provides a vibrant atmosphere, diverse cultural events, sports activities, and ample opportunities for student engagement. Local businesses and amenities cater to the town’s student population, making it a lively and accommodating place for college life. As a college student, getting around Normal is easy by foot, bicycle, car, and bus.

Illinois State University in Normal – Over 20,000 Enrolled College Students

Illinois State University is a public research university founded in 1857. It’s one of the top-ranked public universities in the Midwest, with more than 200 programs and an emphasis on teaching. It’s one of the top ten producers of teachers in the country. There are more than 21,000 enrolled students at the campus, including 19,000 undergraduates.

The university has several academic colleges for nursing, engineering, business, education, arts and sciences, applied science and technology, and fine arts.

Are There Good Job Opportunities in Normal IL?

Yes, there are good job opportunities in Normal, Illinois, particularly when considering the combined economic landscape of the Bloomington-Normal metro area. The Bloomington-Normal economy is diverse, with major sectors including education, manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and financial services.

With its location in the center of the Midwest at the intersection of three major highways and with access to rail lines, the area also benefits from strong transportation and logistics sectors.

Major Employers in Normal-Bloomington:

  • State Farm Insurance, headquartered in Bloomington
  • Illinois State University (careers)
  • Country Financial
  • Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer with a production plant in Normal
  • OSF St. Joseph Medical Center
  • Carle BroMenn Medical Center
  • Town of Normal (jobs)
  • City of Bloomington (jobs)

There’s a good combination of small businesses and large employers in the region.

The average salary in Normal is $64,000 per year, according to Payscale. According to the BLS, the average weekly wage in the Normal-Bloomington area is $1,218 compared to the U.S. average of $1,435. The average hourly wage is $30.40, only slightly lower than the U.S. average of $31.48.

Ready to explore jobs in Normal IL? A good place to start your search is Indeed.

Normal IL Statistics and Information

  • Normal IL county: McLean County
  • Area: 18 square miles
  • Normal IL zip codes: 61702, 61761, and 61790
  • Normal area code: 309
  • Normal elevation: 830 feet
  • Normal time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC-5 and -6)
  • Closest airport to Normal: Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI) in Bloomington

Normal Illinois Map

Check out even more places to go in Normal on the Town of Normal website or with this map of Normal below!

What Are Some Fun Facts About Normal Illinois?

  • Home of the First Public University in Illinois: Illinois State University, founded in 1857, is the first public university in Illinois and plays a central role in the town’s cultural and social life.
  • Birthplace of Beer Nuts: Beer Nuts, the famous sweet and salty snack, originated in Normal. The company is still based in Bloomington-Normal.
  • Walking and Biking-Friendly: Normal is a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly town with an extensive trail system, including the Constitution Trail, which is a converted railway line stretching across Bloomington-Normal.
  • Annual Sweet Corn Festival: Normal and its twin city, Bloomington, host a popular annual Sweet Corn Festival, celebrating the region’s agricultural heritage with live music, food vendors, and, of course, plenty of corn.
  • Unique Uptown Normal: The town’s central area, Uptown Normal, features a roundabout with an unusual “Circle of Water” sculpture that doubles as a splash fountain. The area blends historic charm with modern amenities, including locally owned shops and restaurants.
  • A Town with a “Normal” Name: The town’s name, “Normal,” comes from the Illinois State Normal University (now Illinois State University).
  • Sister City Connection: Normal has a sister city relationship with Asahikawa, Japan. This relationship fosters cultural exchange and community events that highlight the global connections of the town.

If you’re thinking about moving to Normal but don’t know where to start, Federal Companies is here to help! Our team movers in Normal ensure that your relocation is efficient and stress-free. Take a step closer to living in Normal IL by reaching out to us at (800) 747-4100 for a free, personalized moving quote.

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