Bloomington Community

Bloomington, Indiana is a welcoming community that offers a high quality of life for both students and residents. It is a classic college town that is known for its culture, arts, and sports and recreation. Most people who have an opportunity to live in Bloomington for some period in their lives value the beauty of the campus, the international food scene, and the low cost of living.

Here are some more facets of the community that have received national media attention:

  • University Navigator named IU Bloomington one its Top 5 Vegetarian-Friendly Universities
  • Livability.com included Bloomington as one of the Top 10 College Towns: Great Cities for School and Life After Graduation
  • Travel and Leisure named IU Bloomington one of America’s Most Beautiful College Campuses
  • IU received the highest possible ranking from Campus Pride in their LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index
  • Midwest Living Magazine named Bloomington one of the Top Five Food Towns in the Midwest
  • National Geographic Adventure Magazine listed Bloomington among America’s 50 Adventure Towns

Visit Bloomington

One of the best ways you can find out if Indiana University Bloomington is right for is to visit. We offer visit opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to learning about the School of Education and our academic programs, we encourage you to explore the Bloomington community while you’re here. Visit Bloomington is a great resource for planning your trip.

Community Resources

Bloomington is home to more than 81,000 residents, nearly half of which are students at IU. The campus culture permeates the community. The downtown center of Bloomington—and its restaurants, stores, museums, and community centers—is within walking distance of campus. You’ll also find a wealth of community events, including a popular Farmer’s Market, parks and recreational facilities, and family activities. Learn more about community resources from the City of Bloomington.

Housing

Housing in Bloomington is plentiful and affordable. Start your search for housing with these resources.

Schools

Bloomington, Indiana is a community that supports education, and you’ll find a number of schooling options if you have children. Here are some places to start learning about the K–12 environment.

Graduate Student Spotlight

Tiffany Chang

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology

“I went to an International Food Fair a few weeks ago and I was impressed by the various cultures that were represented—Turkish, Indian, Thai, Mexican, and many more. It was nice to see the community come out. It was a mixture of IU students and Bloomington residents. There is more integration here with the students and the community than in other places I’ve lived.”

Read Tiffany's story