RANK #291 / 996 · POP 171,284 · IL
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.6%
McLean County, Illinois, the state's largest county by land area, is perhaps best known for Bloomington-Normal, a twin-city area that serves as a regional hub. Located in east-central Illinois, roughly two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis, the county offers a blend of urban amenities and rural landscapes. Commutes within the Bloomington-Normal area are generally manageable, and public transportation, including Connect Transit and SHOW BUS, serves both the urban and rural areas. The Constitution Trail provides miles of paved pathways for walking, running, and biking, while COMLARA Park and Evergreen Lake offer opportunities for camping, boating, fishing, and hiking amidst prairie and woodland habitats.
Life in McLean County offers a balance for families and professionals. The public schools in McLean County are highly rated, with several districts serving the area, including McLean County Unit District No. 5 and Bloomington School District No. 87. The local economy is diverse, with major employers in the insurance and higher education sectors. Recent economic developments include discussions around zoning for potential large-scale data centers, reflecting a focus on technology infrastructure. The county also faces challenges, such as a declining birth rate and childcare shortages, which impact the workforce.
Below national median
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.4x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Clinton Clean Energy Center License Renewal & Upgrades
Constellation
|
$370M | Operating |
|
Dawson Solar Project
Deriva Energy
|
$300M | Proposed |
|
Blooming Grove Storage Energy Center (BESS)
Invenergy, Inc.
|
$250M | Approved |
|
Bright Stalk Wind Farm
EDP Renewables North America
|
$205M | Operating |
|
Gibson City Energy Center – Solar 1
Earthrise Energy
|
$135M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
McLean County has a Boom Town Index score of 71/100, ranking #291 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.1% and a median household income of $75,356, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in McLean County is $191,300 with median rent at $941/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3939, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.1%. Home values changed +3.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.04% of McLean County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.