Monroe County

Our Story

Monroe County has long been a community of makers. Industrious people make the limestone cladding used in local homes and national monuments. They create award-winning beer, wine, artisanal spirits, and food. They design complex medical devices and biopharmaceuticals with major life sciences employers like Cook Medical, Baxter, and Catalent Biologics. And at Indiana University, leaders, teachers, entrepreneurs, opera stars, poet laureates, professional athletes, and Nobel prize-winning scientists and economists emerge and thrive.

Key Stats

Population: 140,702

Cities and Towns: Bloomington, Ellettsville, and Stinesville

Key Industries: Higher education, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing

Notable Facts: Bloomington is home to the 700,000-square-foot IU Health Regional Academic Center. This innovation-driven medical complex serves the region’s healthcare needs and provides Indiana University with a state-of-the-art academic training center for future health professionals. Lake Monroe is Indiana’s largest lake, visited by 1 million people each year. Popular for a variety of water sports, tourists enjoy the lake on speedboats, pontoons, jet skis, kayaks, and even double-decker party boats with water slides.

Learn More

• Visit Bloomington
• Monroe County Government
• City of Bloomington
• Town of Ellettsville
• Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
• Ellettsville Chamber of Commerce
• Bloomington Economic Development Corporation
• Discover Southern Indiana
• Monroe County Community School Corporation
• Richland Bean Blossom School Corporation
• Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County
• Bloomington Herald Times
• Bloom Magazine
• Indiana Public Media (WFIU & WTIU)
• Indiana Daily Student