Peoria County, Illinois

Last updated

Peoria County, Illinois
County
Peoria County Courthouse, 2019.jpg
Peoria County Courthouse
Flag of Peoria County, Illinois.svg
Flag
Peoria County il seal.png
Seal
Map of Illinois highlighting Peoria County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Coordinates: 40°47′N89°46′W / 40.79°N 89.76°W / 40.79; -89.76
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Illinois.svg Illinois
Founded1825
Named after Peoria tribe
Seat Peoria
Largest cityPeoria
Area
 • Total
631 sq mi (1,630 km2)
 • Land619 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Water11 sq mi (28 km2)  1.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
181,830
 • Estimate 
(2024)
179,630 Decrease2.svg [1]
 • Density294/sq mi (113/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
61451, 61517, 61523, 61525, 61526, 61528, 61529, 61531, 61533, 61536, 61539, 61547, 61552, 61559, 61562, 61569, 61601, 61602, 61603, 61604, 61605, 61606, 61607, 61612, 61613, 61614, 61615, 61616, 61625, 61629, 61630, 61633, 61634, 61636, 61637, 61638, 61639, 61641, 61643, 61650, 61651, 61652, 61653, 61654, 61655, 61656
Congressional districts 16th, 17th
Website www.peoriacounty.gov

Peoria County is located in the U.S. state of Illinois. The 2020 United States census listed its population at 181,830. [2] Its county seat is Peoria. [3] Peoria County is part of the Peoria metropolitan area.

Contents

History

Peoria County was formed in 1825 out of Fulton County. It was named for the Peoria, an Illiniwek people who lived there. It included most of the western valley of the Illinois River up to the Chicago river portage.

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 631 square miles (1,630 km2), of which 619 square miles (1,600 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (1.8%) is water. [4] The county is drained by Spoon River, Kickapoo Creek, Elbow Creek, and Copperas Creek. [5]

Climate and weather

Peoria, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
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Source: The Weather Channel [6]
Metric conversion
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In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Peoria have ranged from a low of 14 °F (−10 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −27 °F (−33 °C) was recorded in January 1884 and a record high of 113 °F (45 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.50 inches (38 mm) in January to 4.17 inches (106 mm) in May. [6]

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Transit

Major highways

Defunct highways

Airports

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1840 6,153—
1850 17,547185.2%
1860 36,601108.6%
1870 47,54029.9%
1880 55,35516.4%
1890 70,37827.1%
1900 88,60825.9%
1910 100,25513.1%
1920 111,71011.4%
1930 141,34426.5%
1940 153,3748.5%
1950 174,34713.7%
1960 189,0448.4%
1970 195,3183.3%
1980 200,4662.6%
1990 182,827−8.8%
2000 183,4330.3%
2010 186,4941.7%
2020 181,830−2.5%
2024 (est.)179,630 [8] −1.2%
US Decennial Census [9]
1790–1960 [10] 1900–1990 [11]
1990–2000 [12] 2010–2019 [2]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 181,830. The median age was 38.5 years; 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.2 males age 18 and over. [13]

The racial makeup of the county was 67.4% White, 18.7% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.3% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.8% from some other race, and 6.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.5% of the population. [14]

83.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 16.9% lived in rural areas. [15]

There were 75,808 households in the county, of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.9% were married-couple households, 21.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. [13]

There were 85,074 housing units, of which 10.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 63.3% were owner-occupied and 36.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.5%. [13]

Racial and ethnic composition

Peoria County, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980 [16] Pop 1990 [17] Pop 2000 [18] Pop 2010 [19] Pop 2020 [20] % 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)174,586152,801143,932135,620120,62987.09%83.58%78.47%72.72%66.34%
Black or African American alone (NH)21,34924,74629,32032,72033,63510.65%13.54%15.98%17.54%18.50%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)2753033653733420.14%0.17%0.20%0.20%0.19%
Asian alone (NH)1,3222,1933,0105,8197,7300.66%1.20%1.64%3.12%4.25%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x [21] x [22] 395961xx0.02%0.03%0.03%
Other race alone (NH)4621882883147830.23%0.10%0.16%0.17%0.43%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)x [23] x [24] 2,6524,4878,559xx1.45%2.41%4.71%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)2,4722,5963,8277,10210,0911.23%1.42%2.09%3.81%5.55%
Total200,466182,827183,433186,494181,830 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%

2010 census

In terms of ancestry, per the 2010 US Census, 28.3% were German, 14.8% were Irish, 10.4% were English, and 5.5% were American. [25]

Of the 75,793 households, 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.7% were non-families, and 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 36.8 years. [26]

The median income for a household in the county was $49,747 and the median income for a family was $63,163. Males had a median income of $51,246 versus $32,881 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,157. About 10.3% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over. [27]

Points of interest

Communities

Cities

Villages

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Townships

The cities of Peoria and West Peoria are considered independent from all of the townships within this county.

School districts

Notable residents

People from Peoria County other than in the city of Peoria:

Government

Peoria County is governed by an 18-member County Board which meets on the second Thursday of each month. Each member represents a district with roughly 10,000 residents. [31]

DistrictBoard MemberResidenceIn office sinceParty
1Sharon K. WilliamsPeoria2012Democratic
2Camille CoatesPeoria2022Democratic
3Betty DuncanPeoria2020Democratic
4Brandy BryantPeoria2019Democratic
5James C. Dillon (Chair)West Peoria2006Democratic
6Dr. Eden BlairPeoria2019Democratic
7Phillip SalzerPeoriaunknownDemocratic
8Nathan HoerrPeoria2022Republican
9Danny PhelanPeoria Heights2022Democratic
10Rob ReneauPeoria2018Democratic
11Linda E. DaleyPeoria2019Republican
12Daniel KelchEdwards2022Republican
13Terry RuthlandChillicothe2022Republican
14Brian ElsasserPrinceville1998Republican
15Steven B. RiekerPeoria2016Republican
16Matt WindishBrimfield2018Republican
17Jennifer Groves AllisonPeoria2019Democratic
18Paul RosenbohmPeoria2010Republican

The County also elects an Auditor, Circuit Clerk, Coroner, County Clerk, Sheriff, State's Attorney, Regional Superintendent (Education), and Treasurer to four-year terms.

OfficeCurrent HolderIn office sinceParty
AuditorJessica Thomas2018Democratic
Circuit ClerkBobby Spears2002Democratic
CoronerJamie Harwood2016Democratic
County ClerkRachael Parker2019Democratic
SheriffChris Watkins2022Republican
State's AttorneyJodi Hoos2019Democratic
Regional SuperintendentElizabeth Crider2014Democratic
TreasurerNicole Bjerke2017Republican

Politics

United States presidential election results for Peoria County, Illinois [32]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
1892 7,26645.63%8,05350.57%6053.80%
1896 10,48652.70%9,06845.57%3441.73%
1900 10,70051.82%9,43345.69%5142.49%
1904 11,86862.02%5,69729.77%1,5708.20%
1908 10,82852.47%8,89843.12%9094.41%
1912 9,22941.91%8,36437.98%4,42720.10%
1916 18,61548.38%18,71848.65%1,1452.98%
1920 24,54166.00%9,45325.42%3,1888.57%
1924 25,24358.55%6,34314.71%11,52626.74%
1928 31,02456.50%23,15042.16%7391.35%
1932 25,16639.50%37,60559.02%9451.48%
1936 25,42533.96%48,06364.20%1,3771.84%
1940 34,91145.21%42,00954.40%3010.39%
1944 34,17150.81%32,83748.83%2430.36%
1948 35,01852.78%31,02646.76%3080.46%
1952 49,24559.09%33,95540.74%1390.17%
1956 50,88862.72%30,14537.15%1080.13%
1960 45,52953.77%39,06146.13%860.10%
1964 33,32741.30%47,36058.70%00.00%
1968 37,02149.96%30,93741.75%6,1478.29%
1972 50,32464.49%27,26434.94%4440.57%
1976 46,52656.65%34,60642.14%9911.21%
1980 47,81557.26%28,27633.86%7,4198.88%
1984 45,60755.02%36,83044.43%4620.56%
1988 37,60551.35%35,25348.14%3720.51%
1992 30,71837.77%38,09946.85%12,51115.38%
1996 30,99041.82%37,38350.45%5,7297.73%
2000 36,39847.39%38,60450.26%1,8102.36%
2004 41,05149.60%41,12149.68%5990.72%
2008 34,57942.32%45,90656.19%1,2191.49%
2012 36,77446.90%40,20951.28%1,4281.82%
2016 35,63345.05%38,06048.12%5,4096.84%
2020 38,25245.55%43,57851.90%2,1432.55%
2024 36,89646.28%40,56450.88%2,2622.84%

Prior to 1992, Peoria County, like most of central Illinois, was overwhelmingly Republican. Usually, it only voted for Democratic Party presidential candidates when they won nationally by a landslide. It began trending away from the GOP in the mid-1980s, as evidenced when Ronald Reagan only carried it with 55 percent of the vote in 1984 even as he was winning reelection in a landslide nationally.

From 1992 onward, the county has backed the Democratic candidate in every presidential election, though never by a margin greater than 10 percent aside from 2008 when Illinoisan Barack Obama won it by nearly 14 points. This relative closeness in results was most evident in 2004 when the county backed John Kerry over George W. Bush by only 70 votes.

In Congress, Peoria County is represented by Democrat Eric Sorensen of Illinois's 17th congressional district and Republican Darin LaHood of the Illinois's 18th congressional district.

In the Illinois Senate, Peoria County is represented by Republican Win Stoller of the 37th Legislative District and Democrat Dave Koehler of the 46th Legislative District. In the Illinois House of Representatives, Peoria County is represented by Republican Ryan Spain of the 73rd Representative District, Republican Travis Weaver of the 91st Representative District and Democrat Jehan Gordon-Booth of the 92nd Representative District.

Education

K-12 school districts include: [33]

Secondary school districts include: [33]

Elementary school districts include: [33]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020–2024". United States Census Bureau. U.S. Department of Commerce. March 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "QuickFacts Peoria County, Illinois". United States Census. US Census Bureau.
  3. ↑ "Peoria County, Illinois".
  4. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  5. ↑ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Peoria, a N. central county of Illinois"  . The American Cyclopædia .
  6. 1 2 "Monthly Averages for Peoria IL". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Peoria County Public and Private Airports". www.tollfreeairline.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates Tables". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  9. ↑ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  13. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  14. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  15. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  16. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois- Table 14 - Persons by Race and Table 16 (p. 18-28) - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 29-39)" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
  17. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois - Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Orogin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
  18. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Peoria County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
  19. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Peoria County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
  20. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Peoria County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
  21. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  22. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  23. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  24. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  25. ↑ "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  28. ↑ Grandview Drive Google Maps (accessed 27 December 2018)
  29. ↑ Forest Park Nature Center Google Maps (accessed 27 December 2018)
  30. ↑ Peoria Heights Tower Park Google Maps (accessed 27 December 2018)
  31. ↑ "County Board | Peoria County, IL". www.peoriacounty.org. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  32. ↑ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  33. 1 2 3 "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Peoria County, IL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved October 30, 2024. - Text list
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