Population170,954 (2020 Census)
Twin Cities Open onto Broad Prairie Horizons
McLean County, IllinoisBloomington and Normal anchor a county whose land area is the largest in Illinois. Smaller towns and agricultural communities connect the twin cities to the surrounding prairie. This guide brings together a starting point for county information, public services and local connections. Begin with Bloomington, then use the resource links to plan the details of a visit or an everyday errand. Check directly with each provider for current hours, access and service availability before setting out.
McLean County at a Glance
Population170,954 (2020 Census)
County SeatBloomington
Largest MunicipalityBloomington
Established1830
ZIP Codes34 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county (checked October 4, 2026)
Total Area1,186.3 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-39; I-55; I-74; US 24
Area Codes217 / 309 / 447 / 861 (common local area codes)
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Peasley Funeral Home, Wendy's Eyeglass Shack for funeral services, eyewear.
Discover McLean County
McLean County
The county was formed from Tazewell County in 1830 and named for Illinois senator John McLean. Later boundary changes reduced its original territory. Today, Bloomington remains the county seat, while Bloomington is its largest municipality. The 2020 Census counted 170,954 residents across the county. Its towns and surrounding countryside offer different ways to understand the same place: through public buildings, transportation routes and the communities that connect them. Local records and historical collections provide a starting point for exploring how those connections changed over time.
Life in McLean County extends beyond a single town center. Twin cities and extensive countryside are part of the local setting, alongside the routine needs of households, schools and businesses. Use county offices for the services they administer and contact municipal or township offices when a question concerns a specific address. Planning around the actual destination helps make visits, appointments and local errands more practical, especially when travel crosses town or county boundaries.
What Shapes Us
Local Heritage
Established in 1830, McLean County has a history recorded in its communities and public institutions. Start with local collections to explore specific people, buildings and events.
Landscape and Connections
Twin cities and extensive countryside help distinguish McLean County. Its county seat, Bloomington, provides a useful starting point for understanding how nearby communities connect across the area.
Everyday Community
County and local offices connect residents with practical services. Follow the linked providers for details specific to your destination, address and purpose in McLean County.
Explore the towns, follow the stories, make local connections.
A Look Around
Scenes from McLean County
Places and details that tell a local story.
The Pantagraph
See the latest McLean County building permits
Read the full story at The Pantagraph.
Read the Story Oct 18, 2026 • Local news
Around McLean County
Stories from every corner of McLean County.
See the latest McLean County building permits
Read the full story at The Pantagraph.
Oct 18, 2026 • Local news
Michael, Crockett differ on future of McLean County clerk’s office
Read the full story at The Pantagraph.
Oct 18, 2026 • Local news
MCLEAN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY - Ad from 2026-10-18
Read the full story at The Pantagraph.
Oct 18, 2026 • Local news
McLean County Board again extends disaster declaration for August storms
Read the full story at The Pantagraph.
Oct 16, 2026 • Local news
One Earth Energy scales back carbon capture proposal in eastern McLean County
Read the full story at WGLT.
Oct 16, 2026 • Local news
Keep These Businesses in Mind
Start with a Direct Conversation
Contact Peasley Funeral Home, Wendy's Eyeglass Shack directly to ask about current options, availability and the services you need.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the responsible public agency or service provider. Statewide links are labeled so you can locate the office that serves your address.
Government
County & Local Resources
Supervisor of Assessments
Property assessments, exemptions and assessment office information.
Phone (309) 888-5130
Schools
County & Local Resources
Hospitals and Health
County & Local Resources
Warner Hospital And Health Services
Regional option in De Witt County
Address 422 W WHITE ST, Clinton
Phone (217) 935-9571
Carle Eureka Hospital
Regional option in Woodford County
Address 101 S MAJOR ST, Eureka
Phone (309) 467-2371
Saint James Hospital
Regional option in Livingston County
Address 2500 WEST REYNOLDS STREET, Pontiac
Phone (815) 842-2828
Public Safety
County & Local Resources
Illinois State Police
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois State Police contacts
Find the appropriate State Police contact; call 911 for emergencies.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Report cyber-enabled crime through the federal complaint portal; emergencies require 911.
Emergency Services
County & Local Resources
Sign Up for Emergency Notifications with CodeRED
Official McLean County office information.
Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
National Weather Service
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
State Parks
County & Local Resources
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
Dewitt — regional option in DeWitt County. Check facilities and access notices.
Weldon Springs State Park
Clinton — regional option in DeWitt County. Check facilities and access notices.
Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area
Lacon — regional option in Marshall County. Check facilities and access notices.
Spitler Woods State Natural Area
Mount Zion — regional option in Macon County. Check facilities and access notices.
Jubilee College State Park
Brimfield — regional option in Peoria County. Check facilities and access notices.
Trails
County & Local Resources
Funks Grove Nature Spaces
McLean, McLean County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
Dewitt — regional option in DeWitt County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Edward R. Madigan State Park
Lincoln — regional option in Logan County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Homer Lake Forest Preserve
Homer — regional option in Champaign County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Utilities
County & Local Resources
Illinois Commerce Commission
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois 811 — JULIE
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois energy assistance
Find utility-bill assistance and the local administering agency.
Libraries
County & Local Resources
Allin Township Library
Address 116 West Main Street Post Office Box 258 Stanford , IL 61774-0258
Phone 309-379-4631
Carlock Public Library District
Address 202 East Washington Street Post Office Box 39 Carlock , IL 61725
Phone 309-376-5651
Danvers Township Library
Address 117 East Exchange Street Post Office Box 376 Danvers , IL 61732-0376
Phone 309-963-4269
Golden Prairie Public Library District
Bloomington Public Library 205 East Olive Street Bloomington , IL 61701; 309-828-6091.
Phone 309-828-6091
Courts
County & Local Resources
Circuit Court Rules (11th Judicial Circuit)
Official McLean County office information.
Illinois Courts
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
DMV
County & Local Resources
Transportation
County & Local Resources
Illinois Department of Transportation
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Getting Around Illinois
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois public transportation
Find public transportation information and regional agencies.
IDOT transit programs
Transit program information, including rural and intercity services.
Amtrak Illinois services
Find Illinois intercity rail routes and stations; some counties require travel to a regional station.
Postal Services
County & Local Resources
USPS Location Finder
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
USPS ZIP Code Lookup
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
USPS Informed Delivery
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Veterans
County & Local Resources
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
VA Facility Locator
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Veterans Crisis Line
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Employment
County & Local Resources
IllinoisJobLink — official job-seeker help
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Department of Employment Security
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois workNet
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
A Useful Starting Point
County facts and practical links for everyday questions.
Questions and Answers
Get to Know McLean County
Find background and service information below, then follow the provider links for current details.
Bloomington is the county seat. McLean County Government provides county office information; check the office destination before traveling.
Bloomington is the largest municipality listed in the county reference. Countywide statistics include other communities and unincorporated areas as well.
The 2020 Census counted 170,954 residents. This is a decennial count, not a current-year population estimate.
McLean County was established in 1830. The county was formed from Tazewell County in 1830 and named for Illinois senator John McLean. Later boundary changes reduced its original territory.
The county covers approximately 1,186.3 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography). This total includes both land and water, rather than land area alone.
Bloomington and Normal anchor a county whose land area is the largest in Illinois. Smaller towns and agricultural communities connect the twin cities to the surrounding prairie.
Grady's Family Fun Park is in Bloomington, McLean County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup with the full street address. A county boundary does not define a single postal delivery area.
Genevieve Green Gardens is in Bloomington, McLean County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area is in Dewitt, DeWitt County. This is a regional option outside McLean County. Basic access is the free activity; extras may carry charges. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Begin with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to locate the appropriate service office, or the VA facility locator for federal facilities.
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Peasley Funeral Home, Wendy's Eyeglass Shack for funeral services, eyewear.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Explore Local PlacesPlan your next stop around current information from each place.
Kids’ Fun
- Grady's Family Fun Park — Bloomington, McLean County
- Children's Discovery Museum — Normal, McLean County
- Hardy's Reindeer Ranch — Rantoul — regional option in Champaign County
Restaurants
- Ancho and Agave — Bloomington, McLean County
- Avanti's Italian Restaurant — Bloomington, McLean County
- Rob Dob's Restaurant and Bar — Bloomington, McLean County
Shopping & Retail
- Eastland Mall — Bloomington, McLean County
- The Shoppes at College Hills — Normal, McLean County
- Beer Nuts — Bloomington, McLean County
Clothing & Boutiques
- Lucky Charlie — Washington — regional option in Tazewell County
- Running Central — Peoria — regional option in Peoria County
- Body N' Sole Sports — Savoy — regional option in Champaign County
Outdoor Fun
- Genevieve Green Gardens — Bloomington, McLean County
- Constitution Trail — Normal, McLean County
- Funks Grove Nature Spaces — McLean, McLean County
Free Things To Do
- Clinton Lake State Recreation Area — Dewitt — regional option in DeWitt County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Weldon Springs State Park — Clinton — regional option in DeWitt County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Luthy Botanical Gardens — Peoria — regional option in Peoria County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
Make Time for Local DiscoveriesChoose Your Next Stop