Editing Bloomington, Minnesota

{{Short description|City in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Bloomington, Minnesota
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = <!-- Images --------------->
| image_skyline      = Bloomington MN City Hall & Art Center.jpg
| imagesize          = 275px
| image_caption      = Bloomington Civic Plaza, home to City Hall, the police station, and the Center for the Arts
| image_flag         = BloomingtonMNflag.png
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps ----------------->
| image_map          = Hennepin_County_Minnesota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Bloomington_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Bloomington<br>within [[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin County]], [[Minnesota]]
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = <!-- Location ------------->
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Minnesota}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Minnesota|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin]]
<!-- Government ----------->| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Council-manager]]<ref>Code of Ordinances §2.01</ref>
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Tim Busse<ref>[https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/cc/city-councilmembers-and-district-maps  City Councilmembers and district maps]</ref>
| leader_title1      = Interim [[City manager|city managers]]
| leader_name1       = Elizabeth Tolzmann and Kathy Hedin<ref>[https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/mgr/bloomington-city-manager  Bloomington City manager]</ref>
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1843
| established_title1 = Incorporated (town)
| established_date1  = May 11, 1858
| established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] (city)
| established_date2  = November 8, 1960
<!-- Area ----------------->| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024">{{cite web|title=2024 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_gaz_place_27.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 16, 2024}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 99.443
| area_land_km2      = 89.869
| area_water_km2     = 9.574
| area_total_sq_mi   = 38.395
| area_land_sq_mi    = 34.699
| area_water_sq_mi   = 3.696
| area_water_percent = 9.73
<!-- Population ----------->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 87398
| pop_est_as_of      = 2023
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2023"/>
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
| population_total   = 89987
| population_rank    = US: 400th<br>MN: [[List of cities in Minnesota|5th]]
| population_density_km2 = 972.49
| population_density_sq_mi = 2518.76
| population_metro   = 3712020 (US: [[Metropolitan statistical area|16th]])
<!-- General information -->| timezone           = [[Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = –6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = –5
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_m        = 252
| elevation_ft       = 827
| coordinates        = {{coord|44|50|26.87|N|93|17|53.81|W|region:US-MN_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code        = 55420, 55425, 55431, 55435, 55437, 55438
| area_code          = [[Area code 952|952]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 27-06616
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 0640278<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|0640278}}</ref>
| blank2_name        = [[Sales tax]]
| blank2_info        = 9.025%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/minnesota/cities/bloomington.html|title=Bloomington (MN) sales tax rate|access-date=October 16, 2024}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/|bloomingtonmn.gov}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Bloomington''' is a city in [[Hennepin County, Minnesota]], United States. It is located on the north bank of the [[Minnesota River]] above its confluence with the [[Mississippi River]], {{convert|10|mi|km}} south of downtown [[Minneapolis]] and just south of the [[Interstate 494]]/[[Interstate 694|694]] [[Beltway]]. The population was 89,987 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Bloomington_city,_Minnesota?g=160XX00US2706616 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=October 18, 2023}}</ref> making it Minnesota's [[List of cities in Minnesota|fourth-largest city]].

Bloomington was established as a [[Post–World War II economic expansion|post–World War II housing boom]] suburb connected to Minneapolis's urban street grid, and is serviced by four major freeways: [[Interstate 35W (Minnesota)|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 in Minnesota|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 within city limits at Interstate 494. Large-scale commercial development is concentrated along the I-494 corridor. Besides an extensive city park system, with over {{convert|1000|sqft|m2}} of parkland per capita,<ref name=parkland>{{cite web|title=Community Profile |publisher=City of Bloomington |url=http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/main_side/profile/profile01.htm |format=PDF |access-date=December 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220111143/http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/main_side/profile/profile01.htm |archive-date=December 20, 2008}}</ref> Bloomington is also home to [[Three Rivers Park District#Hyland Lake Park Reserve|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 mall|shopping center]], the [[Mall of America]], which is located inside of the city.<ref name="jobs-metroarea">{{cite web|title=2030 Regional Development Framework - Revised Forecasts as of January 9, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Council |url=http://www.metrocouncil.org/metroarea/RDFforecasts.pdf |date=January 9, 2008 |access-date=December 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304091427/http://www.metrocouncil.org/metroarea/RDFforecasts.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2009}}</ref> The mall has over 500 stores and contains [[Nickelodeon Universe|an amusement park]]. The headquarters of [[Dayforce]], [[Donaldson Company]], [[Great Clips]], [[Dairy Queen]], [[HealthPartners]], and [[The Toro Company|Toro]], and major operations of [[Pearson plc|Pearson]], [[General Dynamics]], [[Seagate Technologies]], and [[Express Scripts]] are also based in the city.

The city was named after [[Bloomington, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bloomington, Minnesota|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Bloomington-Minnesota |access-date=October 27, 2023 |work=Britannica}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.org/plan/about-bloomington/area-facts|title=Facts About Bloomington, MN}}</ref>

==History==
[[Image:Gideon Pond House.jpg|thumb|left|Built in 1856 on the bluffs of the Minnesota River, the [[Gideon H. Pond House]] is now listed in the [[National Register of Historic Places]].]]

In 1839, with renewed conflict with the [[Ojibwa]] nation, Chief [[Cloud Man]] relocated his band of the [[Mdewakanton]] [[Sioux]] from [[Bde Maka Ska]] in [[Minneapolis]] to an area named Oak Grove in southern Bloomington, close to present-day Portland Avenue.<ref name="history-mpl">{{cite web|url=http://www.mpls.lib.mn.us/history/eh1.asp |title=A History of Minneapolis: Mdewakanton Band of the Dakota Nation |author=JoEllen Haugo and Mary Jo Laakso |publisher=Minneapolis Public Library |year=2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104133936/http://www.mpls.lib.mn.us/history/eh1.asp |archive-date=January 4, 2009}}</ref> In 1843, Peter and Louisa Quinn, the first European settlers to live in Bloomington, built a cabin along the [[Minnesota River]] in the area.<ref name="History of Bloomington">[http://www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/departments/technology/ConTech/BLOOMING/BloomingtonHistory.htm History of Bloomington] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311024025/http://www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/departments/technology/ConTech/BLOOMING/BloomingtonHistory.htm |date=March 11, 2007 }}</ref> The government had sent them to teach the Native Americans European-derived farming methods. [[Gideon Hollister Pond]], a [[missionary]] who had been following and recording the Dakota language from Cloud Man's band, relocated later that year, establishing Oak Grove Mission, his log cabin. Pond and his family held church services and taught the Dakota school subjects and Western farming. Passage across the Minnesota River in Bloomington came in 1849 when William Chambers and Joseph Dean opened the Bloomington Ferry. It remained operational until 1889, when the [[Bloomington Ferry Bridge]] was built.

After the [[Treaty of Traverse des Sioux]] in 1851, the territory west of the [[Mississippi River]], including Bloomington, was opened to settlers. A group of pioneers settled in Bloomington, including the Goodrich, Whalon, and Ames families. They named the area Bloomington after the city they were from, [[Bloomington, Illinois]]. Most early jobs were in [[farming]], [[blacksmithing]], and [[grist mill|flour milling]].<ref name="history-bps">{{cite web|url=http://www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/departments/technology/ConTech/BLOOMING/BloomingtonHistory.htm |title=Bloomington History Unit adapted from Bloomington on the Minnesota |publisher=Bloomington Public Schools |author=Adapted from Jessica Moe |year=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311024025/http://www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/departments/technology/ConTech/BLOOMING/BloomingtonHistory.htm |archive-date=March 11, 2007 }}</ref> The Oxborough family, who came from Canada, built a trading center on [[Lyndale Avenue]] and named it Oxboro Heath. Today, the Clover Shopping Center rests near the old trading center site and the nearby Oxboro Clinic is named after them. The Baliff family opened a grocery and general store at what is today Penn Avenue and Old Shakopee Road, and Hector Chadwick, after moving to the settlement, opened a blacksmith shop near the Bloomington Ferry. In 1855, the first public school for all children was opened in Miss Harrison's house, with the first school, Gibson House, built in 1859.<ref name="history-bps" /> On May 11, 1858, the day Minnesota was admitted into the union and officially became a state, 25 residents incorporated the Town of Bloomington. By 1880, the population had grown to 820.<ref name="history-city">{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/main_side/history/history.htm |title=Bloomington History |publisher=City of Bloomington |year=2006 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228165303/http://ci.bloomington.mn.us/main_side/history/history.htm |archive-date=December 28, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1892, the first town hall was built at Penn and Old Shakopee Road. By then, the closest Dakota to Minneapolis lived at the residence of Gideon Pond.<ref name="history-mpl" />

===1900s to 1930s===
After 1900, the population surpassed 1,000 and Bloomington began to transform into a city. With rising population came conflict among citizens over social issues. Among the major issues during this period were parents' unwillingness to consolidate the individual schools into a single, larger school, and fear of mounting taxes. By 1900, there were six rural schools spread throughout the territory with over 200 students enrolled in grades first through eighth. In 1917, the school consolidation issue was settled when voters approved the consolidation. A year later, [[secondary education]] and [[school bus]] transportation began throughout the city. [[Telephone]] service and [[automobiles]] appeared.

===1940s to 1950s===
From 1940 to 1960, the city's population increased to nine times that of the population at the turn of the century. During the 1940s, the city's development vision was [[low-cost]], [[Single-family home|low-density]] housing, each with its own [[Water well|well]] and [[septic system]]. The rapid population growth was due in part to the post-World War II boom and subsequent birth of the [[baby boomer]] generation. In 1947, the first [[fire station]] was constructed and equipped at a cost of $24,000 and the Bloomington [[Volunteer Fire Department]] was established with 25 members.

[[File:Toro Headquarters.jpg|thumb|[[The Toro Company|Toro]] moved to Bloomington in 1952]]
The 1950s saw a considerable expansion of the city and its infrastructure, with the city shifting away from its small-town atmosphere and feel. In 1950, because of the increasing population, the first elementary school, Cedarcrest, was built. It was evident that one consolidated school could no longer serve the growing population, and ten new schools were built in this decade to meet the need. In 1952, the first large business, [[Toro Manufacturing Company]], moved to Bloomington. The significance of this can be seen in Bloomington today, which is home to hundreds of businesses of all types.

In 1953, Bloomington changed from a [[civil township|township]] to a village form of government. This more professional approach to government was accompanied by open council meetings, land use plans, and published budgets. The effects of this new form of government began immediately, first with the formation of the city police department (at a cost of $2 per taxpayer) and then with the first parkland acquisition. Both [[Bush Lake (Hennepin County, Minnesota)|Bush Lake]] Beach and Moir Park were established at a cost of one dollar to each residence. Today, about 1/3 of the city's land area is devoted to city and regional parks, playgrounds, and open space.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/pr/park-system-master-plan-2020 | title=Park System Master Plan 2020 | publisher=City of Bloomington | year=2020 | access-date=June 4, 2020 | archive-date=June 4, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604203319/https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/pr/park-system-master-plan-2020 | url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1956, the first city land-use plan was initiated with the construction of [[Interstate 35W (Minnesota)|Interstate 35W]] and [[Metropolitan Stadium]].

In 1957, [[Bloomington Lincoln High School|Bloomington High School]] opened at West 88th Street and Sheridan Avenue South.

In 1958, the city changed from a village government to a [[council-manager government|council-manager form]]. One of the first policies the council adopted was encouragement of commercial and industrial development, low-cost housing, and shopping centers. Due to the rapid population increase during this time, police and fire departments changed to a 24-hour dispatching system, and the fire department (now with 46 members) converted a garage into the second fire station.

===1960s to 1970s===
[[File:John F Kennedy High School Bloomington MN.jpg|thumb|[[Bloomington Kennedy High School]] was built in 1965]]
The 1960s saw accelerated school and business growth throughout the city. On November 8, 1960, Bloomington officially became a city as voters approved the city's organizing document, the city charter. The charter provides for a council-manager form of government in which the city council exercises the city's legislative power and determines all city policies (see [[#City Government|City of Bloomington Government]]). In 1965, a second high school, [[Bloomington Kennedy High School|John F. Kennedy High School]], was built, and Bloomington High School was renamed [[Bloomington Lincoln High School|Abraham Lincoln High School]]. In 1967, a second and third official fire station were approved and built to more effectively combat fires in the increasingly large city. In 1968, Normandale State Junior College opened with an initial enrollment of 1,358 students. In 1974, it was renamed [[Normandale Community College]] to reflect expanded courses of study.

[[Image:Metropolitan Stadium 1962.jpeg|thumb|right|Owned by the City of Minneapolis but located in Bloomington, major league teams played at the [[Metropolitan Stadium]] from 1961 until 1981. It was demolished in 1985 to make room for the Mall of America.]]
From 1961 to 1981, Bloomington was home to most of Minnesota's major sports teams. In 1961, after the completion of [[Metropolitan Stadium]] in 1956, both the [[Minnesota Twins]] and [[Minnesota Vikings]] began regular-season play. Though originally built for the [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]] [[Minneapolis Millers]], a [[minor league]] baseball team, Metropolitan Stadium was renovated and expanded for [[Major League Baseball]] and the [[National Football League]]. The first Twins game was held on April 21 ([[Washington Senators (1961–71)|Washington]] 5, Twins 3) and the first Vikings game was held on September 17 (Vikings 37, [[Chicago Bears]] 13). On August 21, 1965, [[The Beatles]] played Metropolitan Stadium, their only stop ever in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. In 1967, with the expansion of the [[National Hockey League]], the [[Metropolitan Sports Center]] was built near Metropolitan Stadium and the [[Minnesota North Stars]] began play later that year.

A number of new city buildings were constructed in the 1970s. In 1970, [[Bloomington Jefferson High School|Thomas Jefferson High School]], Bloomington Ice Garden rink one, and a fourth fire station were built. In 1971, school enrollment peaked with 26,000 students, and the fire department had grown to a force of 105 men. (In 1974, after a six-hour city council meeting, women were allowed to join the Bloomington Fire Department, but the city's first female firefighter, Ann Majerus Meyer, did not join the department until 1984; she retired in 2013). In 1975, a second rink was added to the Bloomington Ice Garden and a fifth fire station built, with a sixth added in 1979.

===1980s to present===
[[Image:bloomingtonskyline.jpg|thumb|left| Bloomington skyline]] [[Image:BloomingtonIKEA.jpg|thumb|right|Bloomington [[IKEA]]]]The 1980s brought radical change to Bloomington with the departure of the Twins and Vikings. On September 30, 1981, the last baseball game was played at Metropolitan Stadium ([[Kansas City Royals]] 5, Twins 2) as the Twins and Vikings moved to the newly constructed [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome]] in [[downtown Minneapolis]] for the 1982 season. In 1985, the Bloomington Port Authority purchased the {{convert|86|acre|m2|adj=on}} Met Stadium site and in less than two years approved first site plans for [[Mall of America]]. Two years later, groundbreaking took place for the new megamall, and in 1992, it opened to the public. Today, tenants of Mall of America, when combined, constitute the largest private-sector employer in Bloomington, employing about 13,000 people.

In 1993, the Minnesota North Stars moved to [[Dallas]], and a year later the [[Metropolitan Sports Center]] was demolished. In 2004, an [[IKEA]] store opened on the west end of the former Met Center site. The remainder of the property is planned to be the site for Mall of America Phase II. In May 2006, the [[Water Park of America]] (now Great Wolf Lodge<ref>{{Cite web |last=Norfleet |first=Nicole |date=2017-01-11 |title=Water Park of America to close by end of January, reopen in November |url=https://www.startribune.com/water-park-of-america-to-close-by-end-of-january-reopen-in-november/410318465 |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.startribune.com |language=en}}</ref>) opened.

In 2019, Bloomington passed an ordinance that forbade filming students of [[Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center]] in a public park. This led to a successful lawsuit in the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit]] against the city to reinstate the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] rights of the parties involved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/12/11/fight-over-filming-kids-outside-bloomington-mosque-heads-to-court|title=Fight over filming kids outside Bloomington mosque heads to court}}</ref> [[Keith Ellison]] had previously asked the court to drop the case.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lawandcrime.com/first-amendment/federal-court-strikes-down-local-law-in-minnesota-that-forbade-a-woman-from-photographing-kids-near-mosque-and-park/|title=Federal Court Strikes Down Local Law in Minnesota That Forbade a Woman from Photographing Kids Near Mosque and Park|date=September 3, 2021 }}</ref>

Bloomington was a potential site for hosting the [[Expo 2027]]. However, in June 2023, [[Belgrade]], [[Serbia]] was chosen for hosting the Expo 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Albertson-Grove |first=Josie |last2=Tribune |first2=Jessie Van Berkel Star |title=Minnesota loses 2027 Expo bid |url=https://www.startribune.com/bloomington-minnesota-loses-2027-expo-bid/600284158/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Minnesota River Valley Wetland.jpg|thumb|Bloomington includes portions of the Minnesota River Valley on its southern and eastern sides]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|38.395|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|34.699|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|3.696|sqmi|sqkm|2}} or 9.73% is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024"/>

There are three primary land types in the city. The northeastern part of the city is a sand plain, low hills dominate the western part, and the far south lies within the valley of the [[Minnesota River]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}

About a third of the city is permanently reserved for park purposes, including two large natural areas—the Minnesota Valley's [[wetland]]s (controlled by the City and the [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service]]) and the Hyland Lake Park Reserve (controlled by the [[Three Rivers Park District]]).

Water bodies in the city include [[Bush Lake (Hennepin County, Minnesota)|Bush Lake]], Long Meadow Lake, [[Normandale Lake]], Marsh Lake (Hennepin), Nine Mile Creek, Penn Lake and about 100 small lakes and ponds with their [[wetland]] [[Habitat (ecology)|habitat]]s.

{{Weather box
| location = Bloomington, Minnesota
| single line = Y
| Jan high F = 22
| Feb high F = 29
| Mar high F = 41
| Apr high F = 57
| May high F = 70
| Jun high F = 79
| Jul high F = 83
| Aug high F = 80
| Sep high F = 71
| Oct high F = 58
| Nov high F = 40
| Dec high F = 26
| Jan low F = 4
| Feb low F = 12
| Mar low F = 23
| Apr low F = 36
| May low F = 48
| Jun low F = 58
| Jul low F = 63
| Aug low F = 61
| Sep low F = 51
| Oct low F = 39
| Nov low F = 25
| Dec low F = 11
| Jan precipitation inch = 1.04
| Feb precipitation inch = 0.79
| Mar precipitation inch = 1.86
| Apr precipitation inch = 2.31
| May precipitation inch = 3.24
| Jun precipitation inch = 4.34
| Jul precipitation inch = 4.04
| Aug precipitation inch = 4.05
| Sep precipitation inch = 2.69
| Oct precipitation inch = 2.11
| Nov precipitation inch = 1.94
| Dec precipitation inch = 1.00
| source 1 = weather.com<ref name=weatherbox >{{cite web
| url = http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/USMN0840 |title=Average weather for Bloomington, Minnesota USA |access-date=January 12, 2009
| date = June 2011}}</ref>
| date = August 2010
| source = 
| width = 100%
}}

The city is informally divided by [[Interstate 35W (Minnesota)|Interstate 35W]] into "West Bloomington" and "East Bloomington". West Bloomington is mostly residential with newer housing stock, along with multi-story office high-rises along [[Interstate 494|Interstate Highway 494]] in the north, whereas East Bloomington contains more [[Industrial sector|industry]], destination [[retail]] centers, and the majority of Bloomington's less expensive housing. The dividing line may be placed as far west as France Avenue, where the high school attendance boundaries meet.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xfs36SEbGH4C&q=west+bloomington+boundary&pg=PA89|title=Newcomer's Handbook for Moving to and Living in Minneapolis-St. Paul|author=Elizabeth Caperton Halvorson|date=August 2006|publisher=First Books Minneapolis (Minn.)|isbn=0-912301-67-8}}</ref>

==Economy==
The city is home to a large contingent of employers, providing more than 100,000 jobs. Benefiting from its proximity to major transportation routes and the [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport]], Bloomington is a major hospitality center with nearly 8,000 hotel rooms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g42881-Bloomington_Minnesota-Hotels.html |title=The 10 Best Hotels in Bloomington, MN (with Prices from $74) |publisher=TripAdvisor |access-date=August 7, 2017}}</ref>

[[Ceridian]], [[Donaldson Company]], the [[Evangelical Free Church of America]], [[Great Clips]], [[Leeann Chin]], [[HealthPartners]], [[Holiday Stationstores]], Highland Bank, [[Thermo King]], [[Dairy Queen]] and [[The Toro Company|Toro]] have their headquarters in Bloomington.<ref>"[http://www.thermoking.com/aboutus/contactus/main.asp Contact Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517112044/http://www.thermoking.com/aboutus/contactus/main.asp |date=May 17, 2011 }}." [[Thermo King Corporation]]. Retrieved on January 18, 2011. "Thermo King Corporate Headquarters 314 West 90th Street, Bloomington, Minnesota 55420 "</ref>

===Top employers===
[[File:Mall of America Exterior.jpg|thumb|[[Mall of America]] and its tenants represent the largest employer in Bloomington.]]
According to the City's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/2023ACFR-FinalWEB.pdf |title=City of Bloomington ACFR |access-date=October 16, 2024}}</ref> the top employers in the city are:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
|1
|[[Mall of America]] (Tenants)
|11,000
|-
|2
|[[HealthPartners]]
|3,533
|-
|3
|Bloomington School District #271
|1,950
|-
|4
|[[Seagate Technology]]
|1,365
|-
|5
|[[The Toro Company|Toro]]
|1,150
|-
|6
|[[Donaldson Company]]
|1,126
|-
|7
|[[General Dynamics]]
|775
|-
|8
|[[NCS Pearson]]
|683
|-
|9
|Ziegler
|675
|-
|10
|GN Resound
|660
|}

Other major employers include [[Express Scripts]], [[Thermo King Corporation]]/[[Ingersoll Rand|Ingersoll Rand Inc.]], and Polar Semiconductor Inc.<ref>{{cite web |title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the City of Bloomington, Minnesota |url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/sites/default/files/media/2016%20CAFR%20web.pdf |access-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915070634/https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/sites/default/files/media/2016%20CAFR%20web.pdf |archive-date=September 15, 2017}}</ref>

=== Development ===
While the city is still largely suburban in nature, Bloomington has promoted the development of several urban nodes, particularly in areas well-served by public transportation. The Penn-American District, located near the center of the city, is home to [[Southtown Center]] and several new apartment buildings, and is served by the [[Metro Orange Line (Minnesota)|Metro Orange Line]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-23 |title=Penn American District Plan {{!}} City of Bloomington MN |url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/plan/penn-american-district-plan |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.bloomingtonmn.gov |language=en}}</ref> The [[Normandale Lake]] District contains a large office complex and is situated between Normandale Lake and [[Interstate 494]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-22 |title=Normandale Lake District {{!}} City of Bloomington MN |url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/plan/normandale-lake-district |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.bloomingtonmn.gov |language=en}}</ref> Finally, the South Loop District, which forms the area around the Mall of America, encompasses the [[Minnesota River]] bluff and many new hotel, apartment, office, and retail buildings, including the [[Bloomington Central station|Bloomington Central Station]] development on the [[Metro Blue Line (Minnesota)|Metro Blue Line]] light rail.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-23 |title=South Loop District Plan {{!}} City of Bloomington MN |url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/plan/south-loop-district-plan |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.bloomingtonmn.gov |language=en}}</ref>

==Education==
ISD 271 has served the pre-kindergarten to grade 12 educational needs of the city since the 1960s, with an operating fund revenue of $148.1 million in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=mike.hanks@apgecm.com|first=Mike Hanks|title=Bloomington finalizing 2020-21 school district budget|url=https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_current/free/bloomington-finalizing-2020-21-school-district-budget/article_13ab07e0-afdb-11ea-8fa5-cf8ac803a3ec.html|access-date=January 24, 2021|website=hometownsource.com|language=en}}</ref> Fifteen public schools in Bloomington are operated by the district as well as a K-12 online school,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bloomington Public Schools {{!}} |url=https://www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/ |access-date=June 24, 2024 |website=www.bloomington.k12.mn.us |language=en}}</ref> governed by a seven-member elected school board, which appointed Superintendent Eric Melbye in 2021.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/news/dr-eric-melbye-selected-bloomington-public-schools-superintendent | title=Dr. Eric Melbye selected BPS Superintendent | date=May 6, 2021 | access-date=July 26, 2021 | author=Bloomington Public Schools}}</ref> The previous superintendent, Les Fujitake, served from 2006 until 2020. The city's first public [[charter school]], Seven Hills Preparatory Academy, opened in 2006. As many families remain in or continue to move into the city, there has been support for levy increases. In 1999, the then-largest school bond issue in Minnesota history was approved, funding a $107 million school expansion and renovation project.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ten 7 Interactive, LLC. |url=http://www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/ |title=Bloomington Public Schools - District #271 |publisher=Bloomington.k12.mn.us |date=June 26, 2017 |access-date=August 7, 2017}}</ref>

The district's two high schools are [[Bloomington Kennedy High School|John F. Kennedy High School]] in the east and [[Bloomington Jefferson High School|Thomas Jefferson High School]] in the west. New Code Academy is an online high school for students in any area. The determining boundary for high school attendance runs near the center of Bloomington on France and Xerxes Avenues, though both schools have open enrollment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/departments/superintendent/assistant_supt/boundaries.html |title=School Boundaries |publisher=Bloomington Public Schools |year=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110003150/http://www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/departments/superintendent/assistant_supt/boundaries.html |archive-date=January 10, 2008}}</ref>

{| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
|-
! colspan="3"|Public schools in Bloomington
|-
! Elementary schools !! Middle schools !! High schools
|-
| Hillcrest Community || New Code Academy || [[Bloomington Kennedy High School|John F. Kennedy]]
|-
| Indian Mounds || Olson || [[Bloomington Jefferson High School|Thomas Jefferson]]
|-
| Normandale Hills || Oak Grove
|New Code Academy
|-
|New Code Academy
|Valley View
| rowspan="8" |
|-
| Oak Grove
| rowspan="7" |
|-
| Olson
|-
| Poplar Bridge
|-
| Ridgeview
|-
| Valley View
|-
| Washburn
|-
| Westwood
|}

Bloomington's third high school, [[Bloomington Lincoln High School|Abraham Lincoln High School]] (originally Bloomington High School), closed in 1982 and was sold to the [[Control Data Corporation]] in the mid-1980s. Bloomington Stadium, next to the former high school, is still used by both [[Bloomington Kennedy High School|Kennedy High School]] and [[Bloomington Jefferson High School|Jefferson High School]] for [[American football|football]], [[lacrosse]], and [[soccer]] games.

[[Mindquest]], the nation's first [[online]] [[public high school]], operated between 1995 and 2003 through the Bloomington Public Schools.<ref name="SHAPE">{{cite web |title=South Hennepin Adult Programs in Education |access-date=January 23, 2011 |url=http://www.mindquest.bloomington.k12.mn.us/South%20Hennepin%20Adult%20Programs%20in%20Education.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311032016/http://www.mindquest.bloomington.k12.mn.us/South%20Hennepin%20Adult%20Programs%20in%20Education.html |archive-date=March 11, 2011}}</ref>

===Private schools===
* Bloomington Lutheran School is a K–8 Christian school associated with the [[Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod|WELS]]. The school is near Bloomington Ferry Road and Old Shakopee Road.
* Nativity of Mary School is on Lyndale Avenue. It is associated with the Nativity of Mary Catholic Church and community.
* [[United Christian Academy]] provides K–12 Christian Education. Just west of France Avenue on 98th Street, it is interdenominational with representation of over 60 different Christian churches.

===Higher education===
[[File:Normandale Community College 15 - Japanese garden.jpg|thumb|right|Japanese garden at [[Normandale Community College]]]]
* [[Normandale Community College]] is a two-year college with about 18,000 full- and part-time students,<ref name="Normandale">{{cite web|title=Normandale at a Glance |access-date=July 1, 2013 |url=http://www.normandale.edu/about-us/normandale-at-a-glance.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608074237/http://www.normandale.edu/about-us/normandale-at-a-glance.html |archive-date=June 8, 2013}}</ref> founded in 1968. It is part of the [[Minnesota State Colleges and Universities]] (MnSCU) system.
* [[Northwestern Health Sciences University]] focuses on [[Alternative medicine|alternative health care]] and patient research, in the areas of [[chiropractic]], [[acupuncture]], [[Traditional Chinese medicine|oriental medicine]], and [[massage]].
* [[Rasmussen University]] offers more than 70 programs leading to associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and a variety of certificates and diplomas.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 424
|1870= 738
|1880= 819
|1890= 959
|1900= 1085
|1910= 1161
|1920= 1330
|1930= 2655
|1940= 3647
|1950= 9902
|1960= 50498
|1970= 81971
|1980= 81831
|1990= 86355
|2000= 85172
|2010= 82893
|2020= 89987
|estyear=2023
|estimate=87398
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=October 16, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 16, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Bloomington, Minnesota – racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
! Race / ethnicity <small>(''NH = non-Hispanic'')</small>
! Pop. 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Bloomington city, Minnesota|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US2706616&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=October 16, 2024}}</ref>
! Pop. 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bloomington city, Minnesota|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US2706616&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=October 16, 2024}}</ref>
! {{partial|Pop. 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bloomington city, Minnesota|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US2706616&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=October 16, 2024}}</ref>
! % 2000
! % 2010
! {{partial|% 2020}}
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
| 74,008
| 63,974
| style='background: #ffffe6; |61,243
| 86.89%
| 77.18%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |68.06%
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
| 2,854
| 5,839
| style='background: #ffffe6; |8,823
| 3.35%
| 7.04%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |9.81%
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
| 265
| 267
| style='background: #ffffe6; |448
| 0.31%
| 0.32%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |0.50%
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
| 4,306
| 4,835
| style='background: #ffffe6; |5,910
| 5.06%
| 5.83%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |6.57%
|-
| [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
| 27
| 33
| style='background: #ffffe6; |45
| 0.03%
| 0.04%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |0.05%
|-
| [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
| 132
| 154
| style='background: #ffffe6; |479
| 0.16%
| 0.19%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |0.53%
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or multiracial]] (NH)
| 1,290
| 2,168
| style='background: #ffffe6; |3,879
| 1.52%
| 2.62%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |4.31%

|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
| 2,290
| 5,623
| style='background: #ffffe6; |8,872
| 2.69%
| 6.78%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |9.86%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''85,172'''
|'''82,893'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''89,987'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 89,987 people, 38,080 households, and 22,394 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Bloomington%20city,%20Minnesota%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=October 16, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|2593.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 39,600 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 69.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 9.9% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.8% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 6.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 6.2% from some other races and 7.1% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 9.9% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Bloomington city, Minnesota |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/bloomington-city-minnesota/160-2706616/ |access-date=October 16, 2024 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref>

====2022 American Community Survey (ACS)====
There are 37,653 households accounted for in the 2022 ACS, with an average of 2.33 persons per household. The city's a median gross rent is $1,426 in the 2022 ACS. The 2022 ACS reports a median household income of $87,381, with 67.0% of households are owner occupied. 7.9% of the city's population lives at or below the [[Poverty in the United States|poverty line]] (down from previous ACS surveys). The city boasts a 68.8% employment rate, with 44.9% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 92.8% holding a high school diploma.<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Bloomington city, Minnesota|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/bloomingtoncityminnesota/PST045223|access-date=October 16, 2024|website=www.census.gov|language=en}}</ref>

The top nine reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were German (22.7%), Norwegian (12.2%), Irish (8.3%), English (5.2%), Polish (3.6%), Subsaharan African (3.6%), French (except Basque) (2.9%), Italian (1.6%), and Scottish (0.8%).

The median age in the city was 40.0 years.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 82,893 people, 35,905 households, and 21,618 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2390.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 37,641 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1085.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 79.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 7.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 5.9% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.7% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.1% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 6.8% of the population. East Bloomington is notably more diverse than West Bloomington.

There were 35,905 households, of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.8% were non-families. Of all households 32.2% were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the city was 42.7 years. 19.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.1% were from 25 to 44; 28.9% were from 45 to 64; and 18.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

Of the 19.7% of the population under 18, much of the young population is considerably more diverse than the mostly white adult population.

==Government and politics==
===Politics===
[[File:2020 United States Presidential Election in Bloomington, Minnesota.svg|thumb|'''2020 Presidential Election by Precinct''' <br/> '''Biden:''' {{legend0|#86b6f2ff|50–60%}} {{legend0|#4389e3ff|60–70%}}]]
{| class="wikitable"  style="float:right; margin:1em; font-size:95%;"
|+ Bloomington city vote<br/> by party in presidential elections<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url= https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results|title=Election Results|website=sos.state.mn.us}}</ref>
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! Year
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Third party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2024 United States presidential election|2024]]
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''63.95%''' ''33,316''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|33.38% ''17,389''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|2.67% ''1,391''
|-
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''64.00%''' ''35,220''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|33.65% ''18,517''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|2.35% ''1,293''
|-
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.24%''' ''27,838''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|35.86% ''18,071''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|8.89% ''4,482''
|-
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''58.56%''' ''28,510''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.27% ''21,689''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|2.17% ''1,115''
|-
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.76%''' ''28,570''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.36% ''21,703''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.87% ''960''
|-
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''52.28%''' ''26,595''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|46.64% ''23,722''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.08% ''550''
|-
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]
| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''49.01%''' ''20,056''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.01% ''18,418''
| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|5.98% ''2,446''
|}

Bloomington is governed by a seven-member part-time city council. Members include the mayor and six council members, of whom four are elected from districts and two elected at-large. Members are elected to four-year terms, except during redistricting when all district council members have a two-year term. Elections are [[non-partisan|nonpartisan]]; since 2021, they have been conducted by [[Instant-runoff voting|ranked-choice voting]] after more than 51% of voters voted yes on a ballot question on the topic.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bloomington and Minnetonka voters approve ranked-choice voting|url=https://www.startribune.com/bloomington-and-minnetonka-voters-approve-ranked-choice-voting/572995082/|access-date=January 24, 2021|website=Star Tribune}}</ref> An effort to repeal ranked-choice voting failed after a petition again put it on the ballot in 2024, with over 51% of voters voting against the repeal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-06 |title=Bloomington voters reaffirm ranked-choice voting in municipal elections {{!}} City of Bloomington MN |url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/cl/news/bloomington-voters-reaffirm-ranked-choice-voting-municipal-elections-2024-11-06 |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.bloomingtonmn.gov |language=en}}</ref>

City operations are controlled by three interrelated entities: the City itself, the Port Authority, and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). The Port Authority was formerly responsible for managing development in the South Loop District, in the easternmost part of the city, where the Mall of America is. In 2022, it expanded its economic development services to the entire city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-11-26 |title=Port Authority {{!}} City of Bloomington MN |url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/port/port-authority |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.bloomingtonmn.gov |language=en}}</ref> The HRA handles low-income housing in the city and manages the city's redevelopment activities. Membership on the boards of the Port Authority and HRA is controlled by the City Council. Several boards and commissions also exist that are advisory to the City Council: the Advisory Board of Health, Charter Commission, Creative Placemaking Commission, Human Rights Commission, Local Board of Appeal and Equalization, Merit Board, Parks, Arts, and Recreation Commission, and the Sustainability Commission.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-04 |title=Advisory boards and commissions {{!}} City of Bloomington MN |url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/coe/advisory-boards-and-commissions |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.bloomingtonmn.gov |language=en}}</ref>

The city's organizing document, the City Charter, was approved by voters on November 8, 1960.

* [[List of mayors of Bloomington, Minnesota|Mayor]]: Tim Busse<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-15 |title=City Councilmembers and district maps {{!}} City of Bloomington MN |url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/cc/city-councilmembers-and-district-maps |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=www.bloomingtonmn.gov |language=en}}</ref>
* Councilmember - District I: Dwayne Lowman
* Councilmember - District II: Shawn Nelson
* Councilmember - District III: Lona Dallesandro
* Councilmember - District IV: Victor Rivas
* Councilmember - At Large: Jenna Carter
* Councilmember - At Large: Chao Moua

===Municipal services===
The Bloomington Fire Department operates out of six [[fire station]]s, and uses the latest in fire-fighting equipment. The department has 30 fire-fighting vehicles, including pumpers, hook and ladders, specialty units (one vehicle compact enough to navigate the Mall of America's parking ramps), and spares, all of which are equipped with [[Opticom System]] equipment, which automatically switches traffic signals to expedite emergency runs. The average response time is four minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/cityhall/dept/fire/fire.htm |title=Fire Department &#124; City of Bloomington MN |publisher=City of Bloomington, MN |website=bloomingtonmn.gov |date=January 31, 2017 |access-date=August 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109054206/http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/cityhall/dept/fire/fire.htm |archive-date=January 9, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2021, the city began transitioning to a full-time fire department through SAFER grants in 2022 and 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Communities shift to all-career fire departments as volunteer numbers decline - IAFF |url=https://www.iaff.org/news/communities-shift-to-all-career-fire-departments-as-volunteer-numbers-decline/ |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.iaff.org |language=en-US}}</ref> It was formerly one of Minnesota's largest remaining volunteer fire departments, 

Public safety is protected by Bloomington's 142-officer [[police department]]. The current police chief is Booker T. Hodges. The officers have Ford Police Interceptor squad SUV's, with each containing a computer-assisted dispatching center that contains a computerized records system, mobile digital terminals that allow officers direct access to [[Warrant (law)|warrant]] information and state motor vehicle and driver's license records, and [[Opticom System]] equipment, which automatically switches traffic signals. The police department is also supported by seven [[police dog|canine teams]]: six dual-purpose patrol dogs, and a single-purpose narcotics dog. The police department has one of Minnesota's four [[bomb squads]] and a 20-member [[SWAT team]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/cityhall/dept/police/police.htm |title=Bloomington Police Department (Bloomington, Minnesota) &#124; City of Bloomington MN |publisher=City of Bloomington, MN |website=bloomingtonmn.gov |access-date=August 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411010844/http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/cityhall/dept/police/police.htm |archive-date=April 11, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===State and federal representation===
In the [[Minnesota Legislature]], Bloomington is represented by Representatives [[Julie Greene (politician)|Julie Greene]] (District 50A), [[Steve Elkins (politician)|Steve Elkins]] (District 50B), and [[Nathan Coulter]] (District 51B), and Senators [[Alice Mann (politician)|Alice Mann]] (District 50) and [[Melissa Wiklund|Melissa Halvorson Wiklund]] (District 51).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. Julie Greene (50A) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15633 |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=www.house.mn.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. Steve Elkins (50B) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15517 |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=www.house.mn.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. Nathan Coulter (51B) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15567 |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=www.house.mn.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MN State Senate |url=https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.html?mem_id=1270 |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=www.senate.mn |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MN State Senate |url=https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.html?mem_id=1209 |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=www.senate.mn |language=en}}</ref>

Bloomington is in [[Minnesota's 3rd congressional district]], represented by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Kelly Morrison]] in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]]. In the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]], Minnesota is served by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] [[Tina Smith]] and [[Amy Klobuchar]].

==Transportation==
Bloomington is served by several local and express bus routes operated by [[Metro Transit (Minnesota)|Metro Transit]], [[Minnesota Valley Transit Authority]], [[SouthWest Transit]], and the [[University of Minnesota]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 22, 2025 |title=Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Transit System Map |url=https://www.metrotransit.org/Data/Sites/1/media/schedules-maps/system_map.pdf |access-date=April 7, 2025 |website=Metro Transit}}</ref> Several rapid transit routes also operate within the city. The [[Metro Blue Line (Minnesota)|Metro Blue Line]], a light rail line, runs between the Mall of America in Bloomington and downtown Minneapolis. It also connects to both terminals of the nearby [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport]]. Bloomington is also served by three [[bus rapid transit]] (BRT) lines. The [[Metro Red Line (Minnesota)|Metro Red Line]] runs between the Mall of America in Bloomington and [[Apple Valley, Minnesota]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metrotransit.org/route/red|title=Schedules - Metro Transit|website=www.metrotransit.org|access-date=October 6, 2024}}</ref> The [[Metro Orange Line (Minnesota)|Metro Orange Line]], which runs between [[Burnsville, Minnesota]] and downtown Minneapolis, finished construction in 2021 and travels through Bloomington on Interstate 35W.<ref>{{Cite news|author=KARE 11 Staff|date=December 3, 2021|title=All aboard! New Orange Line bus route opening this weekend|url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/orange-metro-bus-line-opening/89-d752faa0-eb5b-4da5-94c4-cd4de18248a5|work=[[KARE (TV)|KARE 11]]|location=[[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]|access-date=October 6, 2024}}</ref> Additionally, the [[Metro D Line (Minnesota)|Metro D Line]] operates between the Mall of America and [[Brooklyn Center Transit Center]] through downtown Minneapolis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metrotransit.org/route/dline|title=Schedules - Metro Transit|website=www.metrotransit.org|access-date=October 6, 2024}}</ref>

==Arts and media==

===Museums===
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 and operates out of a historic town hall building.

The NWA History Museum documents the history of [[Northwest Airlines]].

===Theater===
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.<ref>[http://www.normandale.edu/departments/humanities/theatre/current-season Current season] of Theater program at Normandale College</ref>

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===
Artistry curates two galleries in the Bloomington Center for the Arts.

Mhiripihri Gallery features [[Zimbabwe]]an sculpture in a {{convert|3000|sqft|abbr=on}} gallery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shonasculpturemhiripir.com/ |title=Mhiripihri Gallery |publisher=Shonasculpturemhiripir.com |access-date=August 7, 2017}}</ref>

===Public art===
{{more citations needed |section|date= August 2024}}
Muralist Erik Pearson's<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.erikpearsonart.com/ |title=Erik Pearson Art |access-date=October 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823085901/http://www.erikpearsonart.com/ |archive-date=August 23, 2015}}</ref> 2007 work "Creating Together" adorns the flyloft of the theater at Bloomington Center for the Arts. Pearson also created the mural "Science and Nature" in the city's South Loop district, at the Bass Ponds trailhead entrance.

2015 marked the unveiling of "Convergence", by sculptor James Brenner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamesbrenner.com/now-blog/2015/9/10/convergence-unveiling-ceremony |title=Convergence Unveiling Ceremony â€" JAMES BRENNER SCULPTURE |publisher=Jamesbrenner.com |access-date=August 7, 2017}}</ref> Bloomington also adopted a creative placemaking plan for its South Loop District near the Mall of America and established the Creative Placemaking Commission.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 27, 2015 |title=A Plan for Creative Placemaking in the South Loop |url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/sites/default/files/2025-03/SL%20Creative%20Placemaking%20Plan_10-27-2015_LOWresolution.pdf |access-date=April 7, 2025 |website=City of Bloomington MN}}</ref>

In 2018, the Wright's Lake Park mural, "Seasons of Becoming", was completed by GoodSpace Murals. It is located on Old Cedar Avenue facing Wright's Lake Park. It was inspired, designed, and painted both by the general public and by students from Valley View Middle School, from a gifted program called Nobel, focused on creativity.

In 2021, the WE Mural was completed. WE, a tapestry of murals was curated and produced by Ua Si Creative, and commissioned by the City of Bloomington as part of their creative placemaking efforts; an initiative by the City of Bloomington and the nonprofit arts organization, Artistry, to establish the South Loop as a vibrant, distinctive community. The mural faces American Boulevard and 30th Avenue South along two walls of an Xcel Energy Substation in Bloomington's South Loop District. WE Artists include: Andrés Guzman + Xee Reiter, City Mischief featuring Thomasina Topbear and Tom Jay, Reggie LeFlore, Marlena Myles, Martzia Thometz, and Ua Si Creative.

Also in 2021, The Goldfinch sculpture was installed in South Loop District, by artist Donald Lipski with support from sculptor Christopher Collins, fabricators Yetiweurks and FAST Fiberglass, and project manager John Grant. It is located at the intersection of Old Shakopee Road and Killebrew Drive. Artist Donald Lipski was inspired by the more than 250 species of birds that pass yearly through the nearby, spectacular Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. He entrusted the choice of species to a public poll, and the goldfinch was the overwhelming favorite.

Bloomington adopted a citywide creative placemaking plan in 2025 in order to improve community spaces in alignment with the city's strategic plan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-01 |title=Mayor’s memo Citywide creative placemaking plan approved {{!}} City of Bloomington MN |url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/cc/news/mayors-memo-citywide-creative-placemaking-plan-approved-2025-04-01 |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.bloomingtonmn.gov |language=en}}</ref>

===Television===
[[Comcast]] provides access to four Bloomington [[cable television]] stations for [[public, educational, and government access]] (PEG) programming. They include The Bloomington Channel 14, a comprehensive source of Bloomington information and programming. The [[government-access television]] (GATV) channel features City Council and school board meetings, a weekly news magazine show called "Bloomington Today", "Roll Call", a weekly update on public safety news produced by the Bloomington Police Department, arts events, and sports. Bloomington Educational Community Television (BEC-TV) highlights educational and school-based programs from the Bloomington's public and private schools. Programming on this channel includes [[Distance learning|educational-access television]] content, concerts, choir shows, graduations, and sporting events. Two student produced shows are also on BEC-TV. Tomorrow's Voices Today (TVT) is a teen news show that highlights the good things teens are doing around the city and talks about teen related issues. YRU-Up was a late night call-in [[Public-access television]] [[cable TV]] talk show, airing from 1991 to 2017. Skits for the show were produced by students and the show was live every Friday night (Sat. Morning) at 12:30am on TBC (Channel 14). A third channel, BCAT, (Bloomington Cable Access Television)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/cityhall/dept/commserv/commun/bcat/bcat.htm |title=BCAT: Bloomington Community Access Television &#124; City of Bloomington MN |publisher=City of Bloomington, MN |website=bloomingtonmn.gov |access-date=August 7, 2017}}</ref> is a Public-access channel that allows individuals and organizations to learn video production and create television shows. The schedules for these channels can be found on a channel called the B.R.A.I.N. The PEG channels are funded by [[Cable television franchise fee]]s collected in the city.

===Film===
Parts of the [[Coen brothers]] film ''[[A Serious Man]]'' were filmed in an East Bloomington neighborhood. The neighborhood was chosen for its original suburban [[ranch-style houses]] and young trees (due to a storm knocking older ones down), giving it a 1960s new-development look.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/main_top/4_news/briefing/bf2008/10_08bf/10_08bf3.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=October 17, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404041034/http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/main_top/4_news/briefing/bf2008/10_08bf/10_08bf3.pdf |archive-date=April 4, 2012}}</ref>

==Sports and recreation==
[[File:Bloomington ice garden.jpg|thumb|Bloomington Ice Garden during a Boys' Hockey Section 6AA playoff game between Benilde-St. Margaret's and Cretin Durham Hall]]
Hyland Park includes both a ski area and Nordic ski jumps. The ski jumps are maintained by the Minneapolis Ski Club Minneapolis Ski Club and are some of the most urban ski jumps in the U.S. Several U.S. Olympic ski jumpers have come from this ski club. The Minneapolis Ski Club hosted the 2013 Junior National competition. The city also operates the Bloomington Ice Garden (BIG), which contains three ice rinks, one of which is Olympic-size and the other of which has a capacity of 2,500.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 6, 2017|title=Bloomington Ice Garden|url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/big/bloomington-ice-garden|access-date=January 24, 2021|website=City of Bloomington MN|language=en}}</ref> It appeared in the film [[Miracle (2004 film)|Miracle]], with the team practicing there before the [[1980 Winter Olympics|Olympics]]. During the winter, the Parks and Recreation Department creates 10+ outdoor skating rinks.

Bloomington was the point of growth for [[pickleball]] in Minnesota, beginning about 2005 when retirees brought the sport back from their southern-states retirement homes. From the Westwood Athletic Fields in southern Bloomington, other groups formed and grew to an active statewide player population in excess of 1,500.  Bloomington is also the home of Pickleball Minnesota, the Pickleball website serving the state and the Upper Midwest.

[[File:Dred Scott Playfield.jpg|thumb|Dred Scott Playfield in Bloomington]]
Bloomington has two major sports complexes. Dred Scott Playfields, named after [[Dred Scott]], is on the far West side and contains a variety of recreational activities, including baseball, softball, football, sand volleyball, tennis, and basketball.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dred Scott Playfield |url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.org/meetings/sporting-events/sporting-event-sport-venues/softball/dred-scott-softball |website=www.bloomingtonmn.org |access-date=September 13, 2021}}</ref> Also within the complex are an outdoor batting cage and a miniature golf course that are privately owned. Valley View Playfields on the East side contains softball and baseball fields, [[bocce]] ball courts, and the Bloomington Family Aquatic Center.<ref>{{cite web |title=Valley View Playfield |url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.org/meetings/sporting-events/sporting-event-sport-venues/softball/valley-view-playfield |website=www.bloomingtonmn.org |access-date=September 13, 2021}}</ref> Bush Lake Beach (BLB) is on [[Bush Lake (Hennepin County, Minnesota)|Bush Lake]] and is open in the summer to recreational swimmers.

==Notable people==
* [[Cole Aldrich]], [[Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball|University of Kansas]] center and [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] player
* [[Lyle G. Abeln]], Minnesota state legislator and educator
* [[William V. Belanger Jr.]], Minnesota state legislator and businessman 
* [[Tom Burnett (Flight 93 passenger)|Tom Burnett]], one of the passengers aboard [[United Airlines Flight 93]]
* [[Kelly Carlson]], actress and model
* [[Ben Clymer]], retired NHL player
* [[Mike Crowley]], retired NHL player
* [[Joseph Cure]], ice hockey player and actor (''[[Miracle (2004 film)|Miracle]]'').<ref name=startribune>{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Walsh |title=Obituary: Joe Cure, Bloomington skater who landed 'Miracle' role |url=http://www.startribune.com/montana-hwy-crash-kills-bloomington-skater-who-landed-miracle-role/344584922/ |work=[[Star Tribune]] |date=November 11, 2015 |access-date=December 5, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Pete Docter]], film director, animator, screenwriter, producer, and voice actor, known for ''[[Monsters, Inc.]]'', ''[[Up (2009 film)|Up]]'', ''[[Inside Out (2015 film)|Inside Out]]'' and ''[[Soul (2020 film)|Soul]]''
* [[Christian Elder]], racing driver
* [[Verne Gagne]], former professional wrestler and member of the [[WWE Hall of Fame]]
* [[Tom Gilbert (ice hockey)|Tom Gilbert]], NHL player, grew up in Bloomington and attended Jefferson High School,
* [[Bud Grant]], retired pro football player and coach. Head coach of [[Minnesota Vikings]] from 1967 to 1985
* [[Joseph P. Graw]], Minnesota state legislator and businessman
* [[Tim Harrer]], retired NHL player
* [[Julia Hart (wrestler)|Julia Hart]], Professional Wrestler for All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
* [[Joyce Henry]], Minnesota state legislator
* [[John Himle]], Minnesota state legislator
* [[Kent Hrbek]], retired [[Minnesota Twins]] player
* [[Kyle Jacobs (musician)|Kyle Jacobs]], country music songwriter and husband to [[Kellie Pickler]]
* [[Erik Johnson]], NHL player for the [[Colorado Avalanche]], also for Team USA during the [[2010 Winter Olympics]]
* [[Lane Kiffin]], head coach of [[Ole Miss Rebels football|University of Mississippi]] (Ole Miss)
* [[Lloyd Lee]], former [[Chicago Bears]] linebackers coach
* [[Mark P. Mahon]], Minnesota state legislator
* [[Frank Moe]], Minnesota state legislator and educator
* [[Peter Mueller (ice hockey)|Peter Mueller]], NHL player for the [[Florida Panthers]]
* [[Tony Oliva]], retired [[Minnesota Twins]] player
* [[Zach Parise]], NHL player for the [[New York Islanders]], former player for the Minnesota Wild
* [[Mark Parrish]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/city/nhl-players-career-stats.php?city_id=3682 |title=NHL Players Born in Bloomington, MN |publisher=QuantHockey.com |date=June 12, 2017 |access-date=August 7, 2017}}</ref> retired [[National Hockey League|NHL]] player
* [[Tom Pederson]], retired NHL player
* [[Remo Drive]], alternative rock band
* [[Steve Rushin]], former ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' columnist
* [[Bryan Schmidt]], AHL and [[Deutsche Eishockey Liga|DEL]] player
* [[Donny Schmit]], 1990 125cc and 1992 250cc Motocross World Champion
* [[Jenna Smith]], University of Illinois Women's basketball and WNBA Washington Mystics
* [[Warren Spannaus]], former Minnesota Attorney General
* [[Ryan Stoa]], NHL player for the [[Washington Capitals]]
* [[Milt Sunde]], retired NFL player who played for the Vikings; graduate of Bloomington Lincoln
*[[Mod Sun]], singer, songwriter, and rapper
* [[Paul Thissen]], 58th Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice
* [[Dan Trebil]], retired NHL player
* [[Blackie Wangerin]], racing driver
* [[Melissa Wiklund]], state senator

==References==
{{Portal|United States|Minnesota}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Sisterlinks|Bloomington, Minnesota|wikt=Bloomington|c=Category:Bloomington, Minnesota|voy=Bloomington (Minnesota)|d=Q490737}}
* [https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/ City of Bloomington – official website]
* [http://www.bloomingtonmn.org/ Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau]
* [https://bloomingtonhistoricalsociety.org/ Bloomington Historical Society]
{{Hennepin County, Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota}}
{{Great Lakes Megalopolis}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bloomington, Minnesota| ]]
[[Category:1843 establishments in Iowa Territory]]
[[Category:Cities in Hennepin County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Cities in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1843]]