Monroe County
Monroe County offers a rich quality of life for young families, entrepreneurs, college students, and retirees. Visitors and residents enjoy numerous festivals and art fairs, 35 miles of walking and cycling trails, and sophisticated cultural amenities from Indiana University, which produces famous speakers and writers, theatre and ballet productions, and world-renowned music. Bloomington cherishes its college-town feeling with big-city offerings and a fast-growing entrepreneurship and tech sector while the neighboring town of Ellettsville is attracting families with its highly ranked schools, affordable homes, and hometown atmosphere.
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.
Photo: Ivy Tech Center for Life Sciences
Key Stats
Population: 139,875
Cities and Towns: Bloomington, Ellettsville, Harrodsburg, Smithville, 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
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
Bloomington Technology Partnership Job Board