Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, on the north bank of the Minnesota River, above its confluence with the Mississippi River, 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Minneapolis.[8] At the 2020 census, the city's population was 89,987,[5] making it Minnesota's fourth-largest city.
Bloomington
United States
1843
1858
1960
Jamie Verbrugge[2]
Tim Busse[3]
38.39 sq mi (99.44 km2)
34.70 sq mi (89.87 km2)
3.70 sq mi (9.57 km2) 9.73%
827 ft (252 m)
89,987
87,797
US: 391st
MN: 4th
2,593.36/sq mi (1,001.31/km2)
3,693,729 (US: 16th)
UTC-5 (CDT)
27-06616
0640278[7]
Bloomington was established as a post–World War II housing boom suburb connected to Minneapolis's urban street grid, and is serviced by four major freeways: Interstate 35W running north-south through the approximate middle of the city, Minnesota State Highway 77, also signed as Cedar Avenue, running north-south near the eastern end of the city, U.S. Highway 169, running north-south along the western boundary of the city, and Interstate 494 running east-west at the northern border. Minnesota State Highway 100 also terminates just north of city limits at Interstate 494. Large-scale commercial development is concentrated along the I-494 corridor. Besides an extensive city park system, with over 1,000 square feet (93 m2) of parkland per capita,[9] Bloomington is also home to Hyland Lake Park Reserve in the west and Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in the southeast.
Bloomington has more jobs per capita than either Minneapolis or Saint Paul, due in part to the United States' largest enclosed shopping center, the Mall of America.[10] The headquarters of Ceridian, Donaldson Company, HealthPartners, and Toro, and major operations of Pearson, General Dynamics, Seagate Technologies, Express Scripts and Dairy Queen are also based in the city.
The city was named after Bloomington, Illinois.[11][12]
Transportation[edit]
The Metro Blue Line, a light rail line, runs between the Mall of America in Bloomington and downtown Minneapolis. The Metro Red Line, a bus line, runs between the Mall of America in Bloomington and Apple Valley, Minnesota.[42] Bloomington is also served by the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. Additionally, the Metro Orange Line, a bus line that runs between Burnsville, Minnesota and downtown Minneapolis, finished construction in 2021 and travels through Bloomington on Interstate 35W.
Arts and media[edit]
Museums[edit]
The Works is an experiential technology learning museum for youth.
The Bloomington History Museum focuses on the history of Bloomington, ranging from the prehistoric period through the present day.
The NWA History Museum documents the history of Northwest Airlines.
Theater[edit]
Artistry is a professional theater and visual arts nonprofit that produces musicals and plays in the 366-seat Schneider Theater at the municipally owned and operated Bloomington Center for the Arts.
The Theater program at Normandale Community College presents five productions during the academic year.[43]
The high school theater companies at Jefferson and Kennedy each stage three full length productions, a one-act, and a combined fifth production in the summer, annually.
Visual arts[edit]
Artistry curates two galleries in the Bloomington Center for the Arts.
Mhiripihri Gallery features Zimbabwean sculpture in a 3,000 sq ft (280 m2) gallery.[44]