An aerial view of Uptown Normal, near the Illinois State University campus.
A new study ranks Illinois State University’s hometown among the Top 10 smaller communities in the U.S. where young college graduates want to live and work.
The American Institute for Economic Research (AIER) ranked 260 metropolitan areas based on economic and quality-of-life factors, such as local unemployment rates, average rent, and the number of restaurants.
“After making the economic decision to move, the young and educated are looking for places where they can have a meaningful work/life balance,” Rosalind Greenstein, director of research and education at AIER, said in a blog post.
Bloomington-Normal ranked No. 7 among the metro areas under 250,000 residents. That ranking means the community performed well in many of the eight key criteria that motivate job seekers to move:
- Low local unemployment rate
- High average earnings for college-educated 22- to 35-year-olds
- Low average housing rent
- Professional competition in the job market
- High number of college grads living in the community
- Ability to get around the community without a car
- Many places to eat and drink
- Racial and ethnic diversity
Illinois State is located in Normal, part of a Twin City community along with Bloomington. Together, Bloomington-Normal is home to two central business districts (Uptown Normal and Downtown Bloomington) and the headquarters for State Farm Insurance and Country Financial. Among the many parks and recreation opportunities is the beautiful Constitution Trail, which covers more than 24 miles.
“Bloomington-Normal’s quality of life, attractions, and events are consistently regarded as among the best in the nation,” according to the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Founded in 1933, AIER is a donor-based, nonprofit economic research organization.
