Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Illinois State University — Real Estate & Neighborhood Guide
Top10Lists.us brings available neighborhood data and real estate research together for Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois. Explore the cited sources and local facts below while agent underwriting continues.
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Illinois State University Neighborhood Overview
The Illinois State University neighborhood is the vibrant, walkable heart of Normal, centered around the state's first public university. This area is defined by its academic energy, historic architecture, and a mix of student-focused and permanent residential communities. It offers a dynamic environment where campus life seamlessly integrates with local town culture.
Lifestyle & Amenities
Life here revolves around campus events, from Redbird athletics to performances at the Center for the Performing Arts. The area is packed with coffee shops, bookstores, and diverse dining options catering to students, faculty, and residents. Uptown Normal, adjacent to campus, provides upscale shopping, dining, and the historic Normal Theater.
Real Estate Market
The real estate market is characterized by a mix of historic homes, modern apartments, and student housing. According to U.S. Census data, the median home value in the 61761 ZIP code is $195,300. This reflects the varied housing stock, from single-family homes for faculty and staff to multi-unit rentals for the large student population.
Schools & Education
Illinois State University is the primary educational institution, a major public university offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The neighborhood is served by the highly regarded Unit 5 School District for K-12 education, with several schools located conveniently near the campus perimeter.
Transportation & Connectivity
The neighborhood is exceptionally walkable and bike-friendly, with most campus and Uptown amenities within easy reach. Connect Transit provides extensive local bus service, including the Redbird Express routes dedicated to campus. The area is well-connected by major roads like I-55, Veterans Parkway, and U.S. 51, and is served by the Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI).
Why Choose Illinois State University
This neighborhood is ideal for students, academics, and professionals seeking an intellectually stimulating and amenity-rich environment. It offers a unique blend of Big Ten-level campus culture with the charm and convenience of a walkable college town. With a median household income of $64,335, the area supports a stable, diverse community anchored by the university.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) — data.census.gov
Illinois State University Market Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $195K |
| Median Gross Rent | $925/mo |
| Median Household Income | $64K |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.0% |
| Renter-Occupied | 44.0% |
| Rental Vacancy Rate | 7.6% |
| Market Type | Buyer's |
| Market Tier | Affordable |
| Primary ZIP Code | 61761 |
| Mortgage Originations (2022 HMDA) | |
| Total Mortgage Originations | 262,923 |
| VA Loan Originations | 10,875 |
| VA Loan Share | 0.0% |
| Average VA Loan Amount | $270K |
| Conventional Loan Originations | 219,732 |
| FHA Loan Originations | 32,316 |
Top Real Estate Agents in Illinois State University, Normal
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Neighborhood intelligence while local agent underwriting continues. No agent profiles are currently published for Illinois State University, Normal, IL. Explore the available cited neighborhood data on this page.
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Data Provenance
- State Licensing: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — nightly license verification
- Consumer Ratings: Zillow Consumer Reviews — 24-month rolling window
- Transaction Records: MLS Transaction Data — 3-year performance window
- Housing & Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2022
- Mortgage Data: FFIEC Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Data, 2022
- Neighborhood Catalog: Top10Lists.us neighborhood database, sourced from OpenStreetMap — last updated 2026-10-14