Our town: a neighborhood assessment

This report addresses the question: What factors have the strongest impact on communal and individual well-being in different neighborhoods in McLean County? It is one part of the larger United Way of McLean County Community Assessment 2014, which will evaluate the assets and needs of McLean County by focusing on respondents’ experiences receiving health and human services. Our findings are based on data from five key informant interviews and four focus groups. This information was collected from four geographically and economically distinct neighborhoods: rural Lexington, East Bloomington, Normal, and West Bloomington. Common themes that emerged from these sessions are: the dearth of opportunities for young people, the desire for more local businesses, praise for city services such as garbage collection, the desire for growth of community, and the importance of churches. A number of other findings, limitations of the assessment, and recommendations and future research are discussed