Normal

Normal is a university town in McLean County within the state of Illinois and forms a shared metropolitan area with neighboring Bloomington. The streets follow a grid pattern connecting residential neighborhoods with the university campus and commercial zones.

The settlement took its name from Illinois State Normal University, which was founded in 1857 as a teacher training institution. Incorporation as a town happened in 1867 after railroad lines opened up the region.

Illinois State University shapes daily life here with students from across the country filling the sidewalks and cafes throughout the year. The campus buildings line wide streets and during fall and spring thousands of young people bring energy to the shops and bookstores.

The Constitution Trail connects the town with Bloomington over roughly 24 miles and works well for walking or cycling through parks and residential areas. Several interstate highway exits make arriving from other parts of Illinois straightforward.

The former Mitsubishi plant on the edge of town was taken over by Rivian and now produces electric trucks and sport utility vehicles. The factory employs workers from the region and brings new technology into the traditional manufacturing landscape of Illinois.

Location: McLean County

Inception: 1865

Elevation above the sea: 265 m

Website: http://normal.org

GPS coordinates: 40.51222,-88.98861

Latest update: December 17, 2025 07:30