Bloomington and sister city Normal are a typical Illinois “prairie” town pair near the center of the state. However, the campuses of the Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University, with their college-town flavor, add a unique element. The troubled Mitsubishi Motors is the largest manufacturer, but the insurance, financial services and agricultural interests steady the economy. State Farm Insurance makes its headquarters in Bloomington and is by far the largest employer.

The city is clean and quiet, with an educated population a few college-town amenities and a large annual Shakespeare festival. Living is simple and stress-free, but some might not find enough to do. Commutes are among the shortest in the country, crime rates are low, and air quality is excellent. The area scores consistently well in all categories, resulting in a relatively high ranking.

The terrain is a typically flat, agricultural Illinois prairie with few topographic features. The climate is continental with changeable weather and a wide range of temperature extremes. Summers are warm and humid with pleasant weather in June and September. Most precipitation falls as thunderstorms in the summer, and drops off in the winter with a mix of rain and snow. First freeze is late October, last is late April.