Illinois

McLean

170,954
2020 population
1840
first census record
19
census records

About McLean

McLean, Illinois, first appears in the United States federal census in 1840, when it recorded a population of 6,565. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 170,954.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 35 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020170,954
2010169,572
2000150,433
1990129,180
1980119,149
1970104,389
196083,877
195076,577
194073,930
193073,117
192070,107
191068,008
190067,843
189063,036
188060,100
187053,988
186028,772
185010,163
18406,565
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Historic places in McLean

National Register of Historic Places listings in McLean, Illinois.

Camelback Bridge
Normal
Van Leer, Margaret and Bird, Broadview Mansion
Normal
Fairview Sanatorium
Normal
White Building
Bloomington
Sprague's Super Service
Normal
Scott-Vrooman House
Bloomington
Greenlee, Robert, House
Bloomington
Clover Lawn
Bloomington
Scott, Matthew T., House
Chenoa
McLean County Courthouse and Square
Bloomington
Franklin Square
Bloomington
Bane, Warren, Site
Ellsworth
Davis, David, III & IV, House
Bloomington
Stevenson House
Bloomington
Benjamin, Ruben M., House
Bloomington
US Army Aircraft C-53-DO-41-20124
Bloomington
Hubbard House
Hudson
Normal Theater
Normal
Hamilton, John M., House
Bloomington
Miller, George H., House
Bloomington
LeRoy Commercial Historic District
LeRoy
Cedar Crest Addition Historic District
Normal
Bloomington High School
Bloomington
Children's Village-Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's School
Normal
Browse all Illinoishistoric sites ›

Other counties in Illinois

Explore census history and historic records for more Illinois counties.

ScottShelbySt. ClairStarkStephensonTazewellUnionVermilionWabashWarrenWashingtonWayneWhiteWhitesideWillWilliamsonWinnebagoWoodfordAdamsAlexander
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about McLean County, Illinois

This page charts the census history of McLean County, Illinois. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your McLean County, Illinois report
Or see a real report first

Explore Illinois records

Illinoishistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Illinois›

Frequently asked about McLean

When does McLean first appear in the US census?
McLean, Illinois first appears in the federal census in 1840, with a recorded population of 6,565.
What is the population of McLean?
At the most recent federal census (2020), McLean had a recorded population of 170,954.
How many historic places are in McLean?
35 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in McLean, Illinois.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report