Plumbing repair · Bloomington, Minnesota
Plumbing repair in Bloomington, MN
Leak, backed-up drain, no hot water, or a frozen line? The largest share of Bloomington's homes (22%) was built 1950 to 1959[1]. Request a licensed plumber who works here. Bloomington, in Hennepin County — ZIPs 55438, 55431, 55437, 55420, 55425, counts 89,034 residents (2025 estimate)[2].
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Bloomington plumbing snapshot: the key figures
- Population (2025 est.)
- 89,034[2]-1.0% since 2020
- County
- Hennepin[2]
- Land area
- 34.7 sq mi[3]
- Decade the most homes date from
- 1950 to 1959[1]22% of housing units
- Homes built before 1980
- 67%[1]the 2nd-highest share of the 15 Twin Cities–area suburbs we cover
- Homes built 1980–1999
- 22%[1]2020–2024
- Homes built 2010 or later
- 7%[1]the 5th-lowest share of the 15 Twin Cities–area suburbs we cover
- Winter-storm & freeze days, hennepin zone
- 55[4]2016–2025
- Flood & flash-flood reports within 10 mi
- 24[4]12 flash floods, 2016–2025; flood-prone homes need working drainage and backflow prevention
- FEMA flood-insurance claims, local ZIPs
- 41[5]4 in the last 10 years; 25 paid
- Homes on utility gas heat
- 75%[1]gas piping work usually needs a permit and a licensed installer
What Bloomington's numbers say about plumbing
Bloomington counts 89,034 residents (2025 estimate), growing at a middle-of-the-pack -1.0% since 2020[2]. On the map that's 34.7 square miles holding 2,566 residents per square mile, the 6th densest of the suburbs here; it sits entirely in Hennepin County, with ZIP codes 55438, 55431, 55437, 55420, 55425[3].
With 7% of homes built since 2010 and 67% before 1980[1], Bloomington's plumbing runs from brand-new supply lines and fixtures to aging pipe, original valves and water heaters past their rated life.
Bloomington is split across 5 ZIP codes: 55438 (24% of the city's land), 55431 (23% of the city's land), 55437 (19% of the city's land), 55420 (19% of the city's land), 55425 (13% of the city's land)[6].
The tracked suburbs closest by are Edina (4.8 mi NW), Burnsville (4.8 mi S) and Eden Prairie (7.2 mi W)[3].
67% of Bloomington's 39,261 housing units predate 1980 and 7% went up in 2010 or later[1] — the 2nd-highest pre-1980 share of the 15 Twin Cities–area suburbs we cover; nearby, Edina (68%), Burnsville (45%), and Eden Prairie (24%) predate 1980. Houses that old can still have galvanized supply pipe or cast-iron drains — especially the 29% built before 1960.
The biggest single slice — 22% — was built 1950 to 1959, and the median home dates to 1972[1]. Neighbours from the same era tend to hit the same plumbing problems at the same time.
Freeze risk: the hennepin forecast zone logged 55 winter-storm, ice or hard-freeze days in 2016–2025, including February 2021; the latest was Dec 28, 2025[4].
Water from the sky is plumbing work too: 24 flood or flash-flood reports within 10 miles over 2016–2025[4], and FEMA logged 41 flood-insurance claims across Bloomington's ZIPs[5]. Homes that take water need working drainage, sump pumps and backflow prevention.
75% of homes heat with utility gas, and 34% of households rent[1].
Measured against the 15 suburbs on this site, Bloomington records the 2nd-highest pre-1980 housing share (67%)[1], the 2nd-oldest housing (by median year built) (1972)[1], the 2nd-lowest gas-heat share (75%)[1], and the 2nd-highest renter share (34%)[1].
Bloomington storm calendar
Within 10 miles of Bloomington, 2016–2025: 12 flash-flood reports and 12 flood or heavy-rain reports[4]. Peak: 96% in June, July, and August. Busiest year 2016 (10); 3 of 10 years had none. Busiest month August 2016 (9). Latest: flood or heavy-rain report, Jun 16, 2025, 8.2 mi out.
| Month | Flash flood | Flood & heavy rain | All |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar | – | 1 | 1 |
| Jun | – | 5 | 5 |
| Jul | 5 | – | 5 |
| Aug | 7 | 6 | 13 |
Get plumbing help in Bloomington
Requests go to Plumbing repair contractors serving the Bloomington area — ZIP codes 55438, 55431, 55437, 55420, 55425.
Before reaching out: before the plumber arrives
The Bloomington numbers behind this page
| Measure | Bloomington | Median of 15 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built before 1960 | 28.6% | 6.6% | 22 pts higher |
| Built before 1980 | 67% | 30% | 37 pts higher |
| Built 2010 or later | 7% | 12% | 5 pts lower |
| Renter-occupied | 34% | 25% | 9 pts higher |
| Utility-gas heat | 75% | 81% | 6 pts lower |
| Median year built | 1972 | 1988 | 16 years older |
| Flood reports (10 mi) | 24 | 24 | same as median |
Sorted by largest difference. Each median is the middle value across the covered Twin Cities–area suburbs, from the same sources.
| City | Flood reports | NFIP claims |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | 24 | 41 |
| Edina 4.8 mi | 25 | 92 |
| Burnsville 4.8 mi | 15 | 20 |
| Eden Prairie 7.2 mi | 24 | 18 |
| Eagan 7.5 mi | 11 | 15 |
| Apple Valley 8.1 mi | 11 | 6 |
| ZIP | Claims | Paid | Busiest year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55438 | 9 | $81,282 | 1997 (2) |
| 55431 | 7 | $17,140 | 1983 (1) |
| 55437 | 16 | $159,805 | 2014 (4) |
| 55420 | 9 | $36,885 | 1978 (5) |
| 55425 | 0 | $0 | — |
ZIPs extend past city limits.
| Date | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 16, 2025 | Flood | 8.2 mi |
| Jun 15, 2024 | Heavy Rain | 8.6 mi |
| Aug 24, 2021 | Heavy Rain | 0.8 mi |
| Aug 9, 2020 | Heavy Rain | 7.6 mi |
| Aug 9, 2020 | Heavy Rain | 9.1 mi |
| Jun 28, 2020 | Heavy Rain | 8.1 mi |
| Jun 28, 2020 | Heavy Rain | 7.7 mi |
| Jul 16, 2019 | Flash Flood | 8.0 mi |
| Built | Units | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 or later | 607 | 1.5% | ±266 |
| 2010 to 2019 | 2,217 | 5.6% | ±337 |
| 2000 to 2009 | 1,569 | 4.0% | ±346 |
| 1990 to 1999 | 2,495 | 6.4% | ±364 |
| 1980 to 1989 | 6,166 | 15.7% | ±584 |
| 1970 to 1979 | 8,055 | 20.5% | ±655 |
| 1960 to 1969 | 6,939 | 17.7% | ±528 |
| 1950 to 1959 | 8,737 | 22.3% | ±505 |
| 1940 to 1949 | 1,183 | 3.0% | ±238 |
| 1939 or earlier | 1,293 | 3.3% | ±244 |
ACS 2020–2024 estimates; margins of error are the Census Bureau's 90% intervals.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Housing units | 39,261 |
| Detached single-family | 20,673 (53%) |
| Occupied homes | 37,601 |
| Owner-occupied | 24,722 (66%) |
| Renter-occupied | 12,879 (34%) |
| Median home value | $361,700 |
ACS 2020–2024 estimates.
| Main heating fuel | Homes | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility gas | 28,211 | 75.0% | ±931 |
| Electricity | 7,777 | 20.7% | ±733 |
| Bottled or tank gas (propane, butane, etc.) | 510 | 1.4% | ±146 |
| Other fuel | 484 | 1.3% | ±193 |
| No fuel used | 432 | 1.1% | ±148 |
| Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. | 101 | 0.3% | ±74 |
| Wood | 86 | 0.2% | ±117 |
| ZIP (ZCTA) | Share of Bloomington's land | Share of the ZIP inside the city |
|---|---|---|
| 55438 | 24% | 100% |
| 55431 | 23% | 100% |
| 55437 | 19% | 100% |
| 55420 | 19% | 100% |
| 55425 | 13% | 100% |
Dated heat and freeze records for the HENNEPIN forecast zone: see the county list.
Common Bloomington plumbing questions
Are Bloomington homes likely to have old galvanized pipes?
Only an inspection can say, but age is the clue: 29% were built before 1960 and 67% before 1980[1].
How often do pipes freeze in Bloomington?
The record for Bloomington's forecast zone shows 55 winter-storm or freeze days over 2016–2025, in 9 different years[4].
Which ZIP codes are covered in Bloomington?
55438, 55431, 55437, 55420, and 55425[6], in Hennepin County. Nearby suburbs with their own pages: Edina (4.8 mi), Burnsville (4.8 mi), and Eden Prairie (7.2 mi)[3].
I rent in Bloomington. Who arranges the repair?
34% of occupied Bloomington homes are rented[1], the 2nd-highest share of the 15 Twin Cities–area suburbs we cover. Tell your landlord or property manager in writing first; your lease says who arranges repairs.
Sources
- Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (keyless bulk)
- Census population estimates, Vintage 2025
- Census Gazetteer 2025
- NOAA Storm Events Database
- OpenFEMA NFIP claims
- Census 2020 ZCTA–place file
Data pulled Sep 28, 2026. Full citations and method.