Peoria, Illinois

{{Main|History of Peoria, Illinois}}

Peoria is the oldest European settlement in Illinois, as explorers first ventured up the Illinois River from the Mississippi. The lands that eventually would become Peoria were first settled by Europeans in 1680, when French explorers René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle and Henri de Tonti constructed Fort Crevecoeur. This fort would later burn to the ground, and in 1813, Fort Clark, Illinois was built. When the County of Peoria was organized in 1825, Fort Clark was officially named Peoria.[https://www.peoria.com/community/history.php Peoria Illinois History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719114929/https://www.peoria.com/community/history.php |date=July 19, 2018 }}. peoria.com. Retrieved September 14, 2015.

Peoria was named after the Peoria tribe, a member of the Illinois Confederation. The original meaning of the word is uncertain.Scheetz, George H. "Peoria." In Place Names in the Midwestern United States. Edited by Edward Callary. (Studies in Onomastics; 1.) Mellen Press, 2000. {{ISBN|0-7734-7723-3}} A 21st-century proposal suggests a derivation from a Proto-Algonquian word meaning "to dream with the help of a manitou."Edward Callary, Place Names of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign: University of Illinois Press, 2009), [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZvHgwa-XImcC&pg=PA273 p. 273]. Peoria was incorporated as a village on March 11, 1835. The city did not have a mayor, though they had a village president, Rudolphus Rouse, who served from 1835 to 1836. The first Chief of Police, John B Lishk, was appointed in 1837. The city was incorporated on April 21, 1845. This was the end of a village president and the start of the mayoral system, with the first mayor being William Hale.{{Cite book |last=Rice |first=James Montgomery |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VmcUAAAAYAAJ&dq=peoria+il+first+mayor+%22william+hale%22&pg=PA339 |title=Peoria City and County, Illinois: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement |date=1912 |publisher=S. J. Clarke |isbn=978-0-608-36869-6 |pages=339 |language=en |access-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101172859/https://books.google.com/books?id=VmcUAAAAYAAJ&dq=peoria+il+first+mayor+%22william+hale%22&pg=PA339 |url-status=live }}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cHcrAQAAMAAJ&dq=peoria+il+first+mayor+%22william+hale%22&pg=PA247 |title=Illinois Municipal Review |date=1925 |publisher=Illinois Municipal League |pages=247 |language=en |access-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101172858/https://books.google.com/books?id=cHcrAQAAMAAJ&dq=peoria+il+first+mayor+%22william+hale%22&pg=PA247 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Lynn |first=Greg |date=January 25, 2021 |title=The Race for City Hall |url=https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/race-city-hall/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034314/https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/race-city-hall/ |url-status=live }}

Peoria, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix, was named after Peoria, Illinois because the two men who founded it in 1890 − Joseph B. Greenhut and Deloss S. Brown − wished to name it after their hometown.{{cite web |title=The History of Peoria, Arizona |url=http://www.peoriaaz.com/ |publisher=City of Peoria, Arizona |access-date=November 9, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081110104401/http://www.peoriaaz.com/ |archive-date=November 10, 2008}} Peoria was significant in the world of bicycle racing during the late 19th century. Held at Lake View Park, its U.S. bicycle racing stop hosted such notable names as Marshall "Major" Taylor, who would later become world champion. Taylor described Peoria as the "Mecca" for the sport.{{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=Marshall "Major" W. |title=The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World: The Story of a Colored Boy's Indomitable Courage and Success Against Great Odds: An Autobiography |publisher=The Commonwealth Press |year=1928 |isbn=0836989104 |location=Worcester, Massachusetts}}{{Cite news |last=Tarter |first=Steve |date=December 2, 2018 |title='Major' Taylor in bicycling's Mecca |work=Peoria Journal Star |url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/journal-star-peoria/20181202/281706910748947 |access-date=August 8, 2023 |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225227/https://www.pressreader.com/usa/journal-star-peoria/20181202/281706910748947 |url-status=live }} For much of the 20th century, a red-light district of brothels and bars known as the Merry-Go-Round was part of Peoria.{{Cite news |title=Famed Brothels Gone, Prostitutes Remain: Play in Peoria Not Like in Old Days |last=Slater |first=Wayne |date=November 2, 1980 |work=Los Angeles Times}}

Richard Pryor got his start as a performer on North Washington Street in the early 1960s.{{Cite news |title=Richard Pryor: It's a Long Way from Peoria--And It's Your Serve |last=Vanocur |first=Sander |date=March 20, 1977 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} In 2021, Rita Ali became Peoria's first female and African American mayor.{{cite news |url=https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/dr-rita-ali-sworn-in-as-peorias-first-black-female-mayor/ |title=Dr. Rita Ali sworn in as Peoria's first Black female mayor |first=Darronté |last=Matthews |publisher=CIProud.com |date=May 4, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505095004/https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/dr-rita-ali-sworn-in-as-peorias-first-black-female-mayor/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.peoriapublicradio.org/post/its-official-rita-ali-makes-peoria-history-first-woman-african-american-become-mayor#stream/0 |title=It's Official: Rita Ali Makes Peoria History As First Woman, African American To Become Mayor |first1=Tim |last1=Shelly |first2=Joe |last2=Deacon |publisher=WCBU |date=April 20, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505124512/https://www.peoriapublicradio.org/post/its-official-rita-ali-makes-peoria-history-first-woman-african-american-become-mayor#stream/0 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/politics/government/2021/05/04/rita-ali-first-female-black-mayor-peoria-illinois-election-history/4931719001/ |title=Historic night for Peoria: Rita Ali sworn in as city's first female, Black mayor |first=Andy |last=Kravetz |publisher=Journal Star |date=May 4, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505124503/https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/politics/government/2021/05/04/rita-ali-first-female-black-mayor-peoria-illinois-election-history/4931719001/ |url-status=live }}

• September 19 to October 21, 1813 – Peoria War{{Cite web |last= |date=September 19, 2022 |title=September 19 Illinois History Minute |url=https://will.illinois.edu/illinoishistory/story/september-19-illinois-history-minute |access-date=September 17, 2023 |website=Illinois Public Media |language=en |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007032959/https://will.illinois.edu/illinoishistory/story/september-19-illinois-history-minute |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Bill |date=September 27, 2018 |title="Peoria War" changed history |url=http://thecommunityword.com/online/blog/2018/09/26/peoria-war-changed-history/ |access-date=September 17, 2023 |website=The Community Word |language=en-US |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007033000/http://thecommunityword.com/online/blog/2018/09/26/peoria-war-changed-history/ |url-status=live }}
• 1844 – Abraham Lincoln came to Peoria to get involved in the Aquilla Wren divorce case and took it to the Supreme Court of Illinois{{Cite journal |last=Fraker |first=Guy C. |date=April 11, 2023 |title="The Most Interesting Document Lincoln Ever Wrote" |url=https://journals.publishing.umich.edu/jala/article/id/4055/ |journal=The Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association |volume=43 |issue=2 |doi=10.3998/jala.4055 |issn=1945-7987 |doi-access=free |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034314/https://journals.publishing.umich.edu/jala/article/id/4055/ |url-status=live }}
• April 15, 1926 – Charles Lindbergh's first air mail route, Contract Air Mail route #2, began running mail from Chicago to Peoria to Springfield to St. Louis and back.[http://showcase.netins.net/web/mdgretz/cam2.html Contract Air Mail Route No.2: Chicago − Peoria − Springfield − St. Louis] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061231122306/http://showcase.netins.net/web/mdgretz/cam2.html |date=December 31, 2006 }}. Includes images of Peoria-addressed and Peoria-postmarked postcards. Retrieved January 13, 2007. There is nothing to substantiate the local legend that Lindbergh offered Peoria the chance to sponsor his trans-Atlantic flight and call his plane the "Spirit of Peoria," but he does state that he first pondered the journey after taking off from the Peoria air mail field.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.pjstar.com/tech/2012/08/12/lindbergh-never-considered-spirit-of-peoria/ |title=Lindbergh Never Considered "Spirit of Peoria" |author=Christopher Glenn |date=August 12, 2012 |publisher=Peoria Journal Star Inc |access-date=August 12, 2012 |archive-date=August 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824084529/http://blogs.pjstar.com/tech/2012/08/12/lindbergh-never-considered-spirit-of-peoria/ |url-status=live }}
• 1942 – Penicillium chrysogenum, the fungus originally used to industrially produce penicillin, was first isolated from a moldy cantaloupe found in a grocery store in Peoria.
• Local legend is that Theodore Roosevelt called Grandview Drive, a street on the bluffs overlooking the Illinois River "the world's most beautiful drive" during his visit in 1910.{{cite web |title=GRAND VIEW DRIVE AND PARK |url=http://www.peoriaparks.org/grand-view-drive/ |website=Peoria Park District |access-date=May 2, 2015 |archive-date=May 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510055628/http://www.peoriaparks.org/grand-view-drive/ |url-status=live }} However, no contemporaneous accounts of this story appeared, even in local papers and histories, for over two decades after it supposedly occurred. A related legend claims that the Peoria radio station and CBS television affiliate, WMBD, chose its call sign based on this story. In fact, the WMBD letters were assigned randomly and the meaning behind it was invented after the fact in 1927.{{cite web |title=Legends of Grandview Drive |url=https://www.peoriamagazine.com/archive/as_article/legends-Grandview-drive/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209225230/https://www.peoriamagazine.com/archive/as_article/legends-Grandview-drive/ |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=Peoriamagazine.com |date=August 14, 2017 |publisher=Peoria Magazines}}

According to the 2010 census, Peoria has a total area of {{convert|50.23|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|48.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 95.58%) is land and {{convert|2.22|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 4.42%) is water.{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1759000 |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1 |access-date=December 27, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213064253/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1759000 |archive-date=February 13, 2020}}

Peoria has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa), with cold, snowy winters, and hot, humid summers. Monthly daily mean temperatures range from {{convert|22.5|°F|1}} to {{convert|75.2|°F}}. Snowfall is common in the winter, averaging {{convert|26.3|in|cm|0}}, but this figure varies considerably from year to year. Precipitation, averaging {{convert|36|in|0}}, peaks in the spring and summer, and is the lowest in winter. Extremes have ranged from {{convert|−27|°F|0}} in January 1884 to {{convert|113|°F|0}} in July 1936.{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL0935 |title=Average Weather for Peoria, IL − Temperature and Precipitation |access-date=May 6, 2010 |publisher=The Weather Channel |archive-date=December 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228035029/https://weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL0935 |url-status=live }}

{{Weather box

|location = Peoria, Illinois (Peoria Int'l), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1883–present

|single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 71

|Feb record high F = 78

|Mar record high F = 87

|Apr record high F = 92

|May record high F = 104

|Jun record high F = 105

|Jul record high F = 113

|Aug record high F = 106

|Sep record high F = 104

|Oct record high F = 93

|Nov record high F = 81

|Dec record high F = 71

|year record high F = 113

|Jan avg record high F = 55.0

|Feb avg record high F = 59.6

|Mar avg record high F = 73.3

|Apr avg record high F = 82.1

|May avg record high F = 88.4

|Jun avg record high F = 93.4

|Jul avg record high F = 94.9

|Aug avg record high F = 94.1

|Sep avg record high F = 90.8

|Oct avg record high F = 83.7

|Nov avg record high F = 69.9

|Dec avg record high F = 59.2

|year avg record high F = 96.9

|Jan high F = 33.6

|Feb high F = 38.7

|Mar high F = 51.2

|Apr high F = 63.7

|May high F = 74.2

|Jun high F = 83.2

|Jul high F = 86.3

|Aug high F = 84.6

|Sep high F = 78.4

|Oct high F = 65.4

|Nov high F = 50.8

|Dec high F = 38.5

|year high F = 62.4

|Jan mean F = 25.6

|Feb mean F = 30.0

|Mar mean F = 41.4

|Apr mean F = 52.9

|May mean F = 63.5

|Jun mean F = 72.8

|Jul mean F = 76.3

|Aug mean F = 74.5

|Sep mean F = 67.4

|Oct mean F = 54.9

|Nov mean F = 41.9

|Dec mean F = 30.9

|year mean F = 52.7

|Jan low F = 17.6

|Feb low F = 21.4

|Mar low F = 31.6

|Apr low F = 42.1

|May low F = 52.8

|Jun low F = 62.4

|Jul low F = 66.3

|Aug low F = 64.4

|Sep low F = 56.3

|Oct low F = 44.4

|Nov low F = 33.0

|Dec low F = 23.2

|year low F = 43.0

|Jan avg record low F = -5.5

|Feb avg record low F = 1.6

|Mar avg record low F = 12.0

|Apr avg record low F = 26.8

|May avg record low F = 37.6

|Jun avg record low F = 49.3

|Jul avg record low F = 55.7

|Aug avg record low F = 54.1

|Sep avg record low F = 41.6

|Oct avg record low F = 28.6

|Nov avg record low F = 16.3

|Dec avg record low F = 2.7

|year avg record low F = -9.0

|Jan record low F = −27

|Feb record low F = −26

|Mar record low F = −10

|Apr record low F = 14

|May record low F = 25

|Jun record low F = 39

|Jul record low F = 46

|Aug record low F = 41

|Sep record low F = 26

|Oct record low F = 7

|Nov record low F = −2

|Dec record low F = −24

|year record low F = −27

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 2.06

|Feb precipitation inch = 1.99

|Mar precipitation inch = 2.69

|Apr precipitation inch = 3.99

|May precipitation inch = 4.69

|Jun precipitation inch = 3.73

|Jul precipitation inch = 3.53

|Aug precipitation inch = 3.31

|Sep precipitation inch = 3.48

|Oct precipitation inch = 3.17

|Nov precipitation inch = 2.70

|Dec precipitation inch = 2.21

|year precipitation inch = 37.55

|Jan snow inch = 7.7

|Feb snow inch = 6.9

|Mar snow inch = 3.3

|Apr snow inch = 0.5

|May snow inch = 0.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.1

|Nov snow inch = 1.5

|Dec snow inch = 6.2

|year snow inch = 26.2

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 9.9

|Feb precipitation days = 9.2

|Mar precipitation days = 10.5

|Apr precipitation days = 11.6

|May precipitation days = 12.5

|Jun precipitation days = 10.5

|Jul precipitation days = 8.7

|Aug precipitation days = 8.4

|Sep precipitation days = 7.6

|Oct precipitation days = 9.5

|Nov precipitation days = 9.1

|Dec precipitation days = 9.7

|year precipitation days = 117.2

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 6.2

|Feb snow days = 4.9

|Mar snow days = 2.2

|Apr snow days = 0.6

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.1

|Nov snow days = 1.4

|Dec snow days = 4.6

|year snow days = 20.0

|Jan humidity = 73.9

|Feb humidity = 73.8

|Mar humidity = 70.5

|Apr humidity = 64.7

|May humidity = 66.2

|Jun humidity = 67.3

|Jul humidity = 71.7

|Aug humidity = 73.7

|Sep humidity = 72.7

|Oct humidity = 70.4

|Nov humidity = 74.5

|Dec humidity = 78.0

|year humidity = 71.5

|Jan sun = 147.4

|Feb sun = 155.6

|Mar sun = 187.9

|Apr sun = 222.8

|May sun = 272.6

|Jun sun = 306.9

|Jul sun = 310.1

|Aug sun = 279.3

|Sep sun = 233.2

|Oct sun = 204.2

|Nov sun = 127.9

|Dec sun = 118.7

|year sun = 2566.6

|Jan percentsun = 53

|Feb percentsun = 53

|Mar percentsun = 50

|Apr percentsun = 57

|May percentsun = 63

|Jun percentsun = 69

|Jul percentsun = 70

|Aug percentsun = 68

|Sep percentsun = 66

|Oct percentsun = 62

|Nov percentsun = 47

|Dec percentsun = 44

|year percentsun = 60

|source 1 = NOAA (sun and relative humidity 1961–1990){{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=ilx |title=NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=July 14, 2021 |archive-date=March 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318054551/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=ilx |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00014842&format=pdf |title=Station: Peoria GTR Peoria AP, IL |work=U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=July 14, 2021 |archive-date=July 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714041240/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00014842&format=pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP3/72532.TXT |title=WMO Climate Normals for Peoria/Greater Peoria ARPT, IL 1961–1990 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213071535/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP3/72532.TXT |url-status=live }}

}}

{{wide image|Peoria Skyline Panoramic.jpg|1200px|Panorama of downtown Peoria, viewed from across the Illinois River in East Peoria, in the middle are the Twin Towers, the former Caterpillar World Headquarters Building, and the Associated Bank Building}}

{{US Census population

|1840= 1467

|1850= 5095

|1860= 14045

|1870= 22849

|1880= 29259

|1890= 41024

|1900= 56100

|1910= 66950

|1920= 76121

|1930= 104969

|1940= 105087

|1950= 111856

|1960= 103162

|1970= 126963

|1980= 124160

|1990= 113504

|2000= 112936

|2010= 115007

|2020= 113150

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html |title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date= |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706023553/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html |url-status=live }}
2010 2020

}}

File:Race and ethnicity 2020 Peoria, IL.png

According to the 2021 American Community Survey, Peoria's poverty rate was 19.7 percent. Median household income was estimated to be 53,568 in 2022. Population was estimated to have decreased approximately 1.9% from 113,176 to 111,021 between 2020 and 2022.{{cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Peoria city, Illinois |website=Census Bureau QuickFacts |date=July 1, 2022 |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/peoriacityillinois/PST045222 |access-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213071545/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/peoriacityillinois/PST045222 |url-status=live }} According to 24/7 Wall St, in 2018 Peoria ranked as the 5th worst city for Black Americans based on income, educational, and unemployment disparities between Black and white residents.{{cite web |title=The 15 worst cities for black Americans |website=American City and County |date=November 21, 2018 |url=https://www.americancityandcounty.com/galleries/the-15-worst-cities-for-black-americans/ |access-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908064135/https://www.americancityandcounty.com/galleries/the-15-worst-cities-for-black-americans/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Stebbins |first=Samuel |title=The Worst Cities For Black Americans – Page 4 – 24/7 Wall St. |website=24/7 Wall St. – Insightful Analysis and Commentary for U.S. and Global Equity Investors |date=November 9, 2018 |url=https://247wallst.com/special-report/2018/11/09/the-worst-cities-for-black-americans-4/4/ |access-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908064136/https://247wallst.com/special-report/2018/11/09/the-worst-cities-for-black-americans-4/4/ |url-status=live }}

As of the census{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/1759000.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 27, 2015 |title=American FactFinder |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609134157/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/1759000.html |archive-date=June 9, 2012}} of 2010, there were 115,021 people and 47,202 households residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,543|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 52,621 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 62.4% White, 26.9% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 4.6% Asian, and 3.6% of mixed races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.9% of the population. The city has a sizable, established Lebanese population with a long history in local business and government.

There were 45,199 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. Individuals made up 33.2% of all households, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.04.

The age distribution of city population was the following: 25.7% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $36,397. The per capita income for the city was $20,512. Some 18.8% of the population was below the poverty line.

File:Caterpillarhq.JPG, now the Caterpillar Administration Building]]

Peoria's first major industry was started in 1830 by John Hamlin and John Sharp, who constructed the flour mill on Kickapoo Creek.Ballance, Charles (1870). [https://archive.org/details/historyofpeoriai00ball The History of Peoria, Illinois], pp. 127-28. N.C. Nason. In 1837, another industry was begun with E.F. Nowland's pork planting industry. Many other industries started slowly in Peoria including carriage factories, pottery makers, wholesale warehousing, casting foundries, glucose factories, ice harvesting, and furniture makers. Peoria became the first world leader for distilleries thanks to Andrew Eitle (1837), Almiron S. Cole (1844), and Joseph B. Greenhut.Ballance (1870), pp. 135-36.{{Cite web |last=Lynn |first=Greg |date=May 26, 2021 |title=Legacy of the Whiskey Barons |url=https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/legacy-whiskey-barons/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034320/https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/legacy-whiskey-barons/ |url-status=live }} Between 1837 and 1919, Peoria held over 24 distilleries and 73 breweries.{{Cite web |last=Lynn |first=Greg |date=October 21, 2009 |title=Peoria's Whiskey Barons |url=https://www.peoriamagazine.com/archive/as_article/peoria-s-whiskey-barons/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034314/https://www.peoriamagazine.com/archive/as_article/peoria-s-whiskey-barons/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Tim |date=March 18, 2022 |title=How Peoria whiskey won the Civil War |url=https://www.wcbu.org/local-news/2022-03-18/how-peoria-whiskey-won-the-civil-war |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=WCBU Peoria |language=en |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034314/https://www.wcbu.org/local-news/2022-03-18/how-peoria-whiskey-won-the-civil-war |url-status=live }} Together, they produced the highest amount of internal revenue tax on alcohol (also known as 'Sin Tax') of any single revenue district in the entire United States; as much as 50% of tax revenue during the Civil War came from Peoria's district, largely due to distilleries and breweries.{{Cite web |last=Lynn |first=Greg |date=January 3, 2011 |title=Made In Peoria: The Birth of Industry |url=https://www.peoriamagazine.com/archive/ibi_article/2011/made-peoria-birth-industry/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034315/https://www.peoriamagazine.com/archive/ibi_article/2011/made-peoria-birth-industry/ |url-status=live }} Peoria also was one of the major bootlegging areas during Prohibition and home to the famed mobsters, the Shelton brothers.{{Cite web |last=Lynn |first=Greg |date=March 29, 2012 |title=Peoria and The Shelton Gang |url=https://www.peoriamagazine.com/archive/ibi_article/2012/peoria-and-shelton-gang/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034314/https://www.peoriamagazine.com/archive/ibi_article/2012/peoria-and-shelton-gang/ |url-status=live }} That great success placed Peoria into a building boom of beautiful private homes, schools, parks, churches, as well as municipal buildings.

In addition to the distilleries came farm machinery manufacturing by William Nurse in 1837.{{Cite web |last=Tarter |first=Steve |date=September 23, 2015 |title=Extra: Peoria's manufacturing roots exceed 100 years |url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/business/2015/09/24/extra-peoria-s-manufacturing-roots/33466757007/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Journal Star |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034313/https://www.pjstar.com/story/business/2015/09/24/extra-peoria-s-manufacturing-roots/33466757007/ |url-status=live }} Also, two men called Toby and Anderson brought the steel plow circa 1843, which gained immediate success. The dominant manufacturing companies in Peoria were Kingman Plow Co., Acme Harvester Co., Selby, Starr & Co., and Avery Manufacturing Co. In 1889, Keystone Steel & Wire developed the first wire fence and has since been the nation's leading manufacturer.{{cite book |title=Poland China World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QV44AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA3-PA33 |year=1915 |publisher=Poland China Record Association. |pages=3– |access-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213071534/https://books.google.com/books?id=QV44AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA3-PA33#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}{{cite book |author=James Montgomery Rice |title=Peoria City and County, Illinois: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3WMUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA884 |year=1912 |publisher=S. J. Clarke |pages=884– |isbn=978-0-608-36870-2 |access-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213071534/https://books.google.com/books?id=3WMUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA884#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}

Around the 1880s, businesses such as Rouse Hazard Co. in Peoria, were dealers and importers of bicycles and accessories worldwide.{{Cite web |last=Tarter |first=Steve |date=May 29, 2015 |title=Peoria Heights making bike, motor vehicle history known |url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/business/columns/2015/05/29/peoria-heights-making-bike-motor/34453450007/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Journal Star |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034312/https://www.pjstar.com/story/business/columns/2015/05/29/peoria-heights-making-bike-motor/34453450007/ |url-status=live }} Charles Duryea, one of the cycle manufacturers, developed the first commercially available gasoline-powered automobile in the U.S. in 1893.{{Cite web |last=Vlahos |first=Nick |date=June 24, 2015 |title=West Bluff house once owned by Charles Duryea motors toward historic designation |url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/politics/county/2015/06/24/west-bluff-house-once-owned/34080124007/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Journal Star |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034314/https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/politics/county/2015/06/24/west-bluff-house-once-owned/34080124007/ |url-status=live }} At the time agricultural implement production declined, which led the earth moving and tractor equipment companies to skyrocket and make Peoria in this field the world leader. In 1925, Caterpillar Tractor Co. was formed from California-based companies, Benjamin Holt Co. and the C.L. Best Tractor Co. Robert G. LeTourneau's earth moving company began its production of new scrapers and dozers in 1935, which evolved into Komatsu-Dresser, Haulpak Division.{{cite web |url=http://www.peoriahistoricalsociety.org/peoindustry.html |title=Peoria Historical Society |website=Peoriahistoricalsociety.org |access-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-date=July 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723232750/http://www.peoriahistoricalsociety.org/peoindustry.html |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Matt |date=February 26, 1988 |title=IS PEORIA BIG ENOUGH FOR CATERPILLAR, RIVAL? |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-02-26-8804020838-story.html |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213071534/https://www.chicagotribune.com/ |url-status=live }} Today, the joint venture between Komatsu and Dresser Industries has long since passed; Komatsu bought out Dresser in 1996.{{Cite web |last=Tarter |first=Steve |date=August 21, 2014 |title=Averyville gets a facelift with Komatsu's demolition of century-old factory buildings |url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/local/2014/08/21/averyville-gets-facelift-with-komatsu/36620032007/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Journal Star |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034315/https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/local/2014/08/21/averyville-gets-facelift-with-komatsu/36620032007/ |url-status=live }} The entity that remains is the off-highway truck manufacturing division for Komatsu America Corporation. In September 2024, Komatsu Limited announced that it was "enhancing its Peoria operations by constructing a new office building that will provide a collaborative space for engineering, sales, manufacturing, management and other functions." The new building is planned to be completed by the end of 2025.

The world headquarters for Caterpillar Inc. was based in Peoria for over 110 years until the company announced it was moving to Deerfield, Illinois in late-2017. It still remains a significant economic driver in the city, and is Peoria's the second-biggest employer.{{cite web |last1=Zumbach |first1=Lauren |last2=Marotti |first2=Ally |date=April 20, 2017 |title=Caterpillar bypasses Chicago, picks Deerfield for global headquarters |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-caterpillar-headquarters-deerfield-0420-biz-20170419-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306202853/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-caterpillar-headquarters-deerfield-0420-biz-20170419-story.html |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2018 |website=Chicago Tribune}}

Health care has become a major part of Peoria's economy. Peoria was ranked as the sixth midsize healthcare hub in the country by Business Facilities in 2021.{{Cite web |title=Healthcare |url=https://greaterpeoriaedc.org/healthcare/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034315/https://greaterpeoriaedc.org/healthcare/ |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Greater Peoria EDC |language=en-US}}

Since 2021, OSF HealthCare has been the city's top employer, rising from fourth in 2014. Headquartered in Peoria since its founding in 1877, and it relocated its headquarters to a newly renovated building in downtown Peoria in 2022. In February 2024, OSF Healthcare opened the $250 million OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute. It also includes the Children's Hospital of Illinois.

In 2023, Carle Health finalized a deal to purchase Methodist and Proctor Hospitals from UnityPoint. It is currently the third-biggest employer in the city, behind OSF HealthCare and Caterpillar Inc.

In addition to the three major hospitals, the USDA's National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, formerly called the USDA Northern Regional Research Lab, is located in Peoria. This is one of the labs where mass production of penicillin was developed.{{cite web |date=April 7, 2006 |title=Penicillin: Opening the Era of Antibiotics |url=http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid+12764 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721072641/http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid+12764 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |access-date=June 19, 2007 |work=National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research website}}{{cite web |title=Alexander Fleming Discovery and Development of Penicillin - Landmark - American Chemical Society |url=https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/flemingpenicillin.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628035235/https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/flemingpenicillin.html |archive-date=June 28, 2019 |access-date=September 16, 2018 |website=American Chemical Society}}

Northwoods Mall is the largest shopping mall in both Peoria and the Tri-County area.{{cite web |url=http://www.simon.com/mall/northwoods-mall |title=Northwoods Mall, a Simon Mall – Peoria, IL |website=Simon.com |access-date=February 6, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221225254/http://www.simon.com/mall/northwoods-mall |archive-date=February 21, 2014}} Other retail centers include The Shoppes at Grand Prairie,{{cite web |url=http://www.shoppesatgrandprairie.com/ |title=The Shoppes at Grand Prairie |website=The Shoppes at Grand Prairie |access-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028004026/http://www.shoppesatgrandprairie.com/ |url-status=live }} Junction City Shopping Center, Campustown Shopping Center, Sheridan Village, Metro Centre,{{cite web |url=http://shopmetrocentre.com/ |title=Metro Centre of Peoria Illinois - For Peoria by Peoria. |website=Shopmetrocentre.com |access-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916202016/https://shopmetrocentre.com/ |url-status=live }} Willow Knolls Court, and Westlake Shopping Center.

Renaissance Park was originally designated as a research park, originally established in May 2003 as the Peoria Medical and Technology District. It consisted of nine residential neighborhoods, Bradley University, the medical district, and the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research. The Peoria NEXT Innovation Center opened in August 2007 and provides both dry and wet labs, as well as conference and office space for emerging start-up companies. Over $2 billion in research is conducted in Peoria annually.{{cite web |title=Peoria Progress |url=http://www.ourdigitalmags.com/publication/?i=192282&p=16 |publisher=Central Illinois Business Publishers |page=14 |year=2014 |access-date=September 15, 2014 |archive-date=February 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203213908/http://www.ourdigitalmags.com/publication/?i=192282&p=16 |url-status=live }} While the Renaissance Park research park project never came to full fruition, many of the original ideas from the original Renaissance Park concept still continue on a smaller level via The Renaissance Park Community Association.{{cite web |title=Newsletter |url=http://www.peoriarenaissancepark.com/ |publisher=Renaissance Park Community Association |access-date=January 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110093353/http://www.peoriarenaissancepark.com/ |archive-date=January 10, 2015}}

Businesses in Peoria with significant presence include:

• Caterpillar (until 2017 when its headquarters (approximately 300 positions) moved to Deerfield, Illinois, and then to Irving, Texas in 2022): Heavy equipment and engine manufacturer. Caterpillar still maintains a large working force in the area in management, marketing, IT, engineering and labor union manufacturing, as well as other positions.
• CEFCU: Credit union; started by Caterpillar employees; now serves residents of 14 counties in Central Illinois and 3 in California
• Komatsu America Corporation: World's second-largest mining equipment manufacturer has a large manufacturing facility in Peoria{{cite web |url=http://www.komatsuamerica.com/?p=view&name=locations |title=Komatsu America Corp. - Locations |website=Komatsuamerica.com |date=January 29, 2014 |access-date=February 6, 2014 |archive-date=August 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825203610/http://www.komatsuamerica.com/?p=view&name=locations |url-status=live }}
• Maui Jim: Sunglasses manufacturer headquarters, a subsidiary (as of 2022) of the French company Kering Eyewear.
• National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research: Largest USDA research facility; one of the facilities where mass production of penicillin was improved
• OSF Healthcare, which operates OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
• RLI Corp. (World Headquarters): Specialty insurance company.
• Carle Health: Operates two hospitals in the city.

According to the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council's data,{{cite web |url=http://www.peoriagov.org/content/uploads/2012/10/2018-CAFR-final_1572274594_add.pdf |title=City of Peoria CAFR |website=Peoriagov.org |access-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222164652/http://www.peoriagov.org/content/uploads/2012/10/2018-CAFR-final_1572274594_add.pdf |url-status=live }} the top employers in the city are:

File:St. Mary Cathedral - Peoria 03.jpg]]

Museums in Peoria include the Pettengill-Morron House, the John C Flanagan House of the Peoria Historical Society, and the Wheels o' Time Museum. The Museum Block, opened on October 12, 2012, houses the Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Caterpillar World Visitors Center.{{cite news |title=Before It Became The Museum Block |url=http://www.peoriamagazines.com/ibi/2011/jan/before-it-became-museum-square |access-date=September 15, 2014 |work=InterBusinessIssues |date=January 2011 |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919073548/http://www.peoriamagazines.com/ibi/2011/jan/before-it-became-museum-square |url-status=live }}

The Museum Block, also known as Museum Square,{{Cite web |last=Lynn |first=Greg |date=January 3, 2011 |title=Before It Became Museum Square |url=https://www.peoriamagazine.com/archive/ibi_article/2011/before-it-became-museum-square/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034316/https://www.peoriamagazine.com/archive/ibi_article/2011/before-it-became-museum-square/ |url-status=live }} is a $100+ million project that contains the Peoria Riverfront Museum{{cite web |url=http://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/ |title=Home |publisher=Peoria Riverfront Museum |access-date=February 6, 2014 |archive-date=August 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807092914/http://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/ |url-status=live }} and The Caterpillar Experience,{{cite web |url=http://www.caterpillar.com/visitors-center |title=Visitors Center |publisher=Caterpillar |access-date=February 6, 2014 |archive-date=January 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113062645/http://www.caterpillar.com/visitors-center |url-status=live }} a museum and visitor center showcasing Caterpillar past, present, and future.{{Cite web |title=The Doug Oberhelman Caterpillar Visitors Center |url=https://www.caterpillar.com/en/company/visitors-center.html |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Caterpillar |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034313/https://www.caterpillar.com/en/company/visitors-center.html |url-status=live }} It is located in downtown Peoria along the Illinois River at the site formerly known as the Sears Block or Washington Square.{{Cite web |date=April 10, 2009 |title=Build the block to better Downtown with museum |url=https://www.bradleyscout.com/news/build-the-block-to-better-downtown-with-museum/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=The Bradley Scout |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034315/https://www.bradleyscout.com/news/build-the-block-to-better-downtown-with-museum/ |url-status=live }} The Block broke ground on September 7, 2010 and opened in October 2012.{{Cite web |title=Peoria Riverfront Museum Project {{!}} Peoria County, IL |url=https://www.peoriacounty.gov/522/Peoria-Riverfront-Museum-Project |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=www.peoriacounty.gov |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034313/https://www.peoriacounty.gov/522/Peoria-Riverfront-Museum-Project |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Dunn |first=S. |date=October 31, 2012 |title=Thousands Drawn to the Grand Opening of Riverfront Museum and Caterpillar Visitors Center - Chronicle Media |url=https://chronicleillinois.com/news/peoria-county-news/thousands-drawn-to-the-grand-opening-of-riverfront-museum-and-caterpillar-visitors-center/,%20https://chronicleillinois.com/news/peoria-county-news/thousands-drawn-to-the-grand-opening-of-riverfront-museum-and-caterpillar-visitors-center/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=chronicleillinois.com |language=en-US |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213071537/https://chronicleillinois.com/news/peoria-county-news/thousands-drawn-to-the-grand-opening-of-riverfront-museum-and-caterpillar-visitors-center/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2013 |title=Opening of the Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Caterpillar Visitor Center |url=https://www.pjstar.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2013/11/05/opening-of-the-peoria-riverfront/394636007/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Journal Star |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034313/https://www.pjstar.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2013/11/05/opening-of-the-peoria-riverfront/394636007/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=October 1, 2012 |title=Beyond the Opening |url=https://ww2.peoriamagazines.com/node/8243 |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=PeoriaMagazines.com |language=en}} The Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum opened in June 2015 in the Glen Oak Pavilion.{{Cite web |title=Who We Are |url=https://peoriaplayhouse.org/who-we-are/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=The Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034314/https://peoriaplayhouse.org/who-we-are/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Blooloop |date=June 13, 2015 |title=JRA Designed Peoria Playhouse Children's Museum Now Open |url=https://blooloop.com/museum/news/jra-designed-peoria-playhouse-childrens-museum-now-open/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Blooloop |language=en-GB |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034312/https://blooloop.com/museum/news/jra-designed-peoria-playhouse-childrens-museum-now-open/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Nightengale |first=Laura |date=July 10, 2014 |title=Peoria Park Board approves funding for Glen Oak interactive children's museum |url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/entertainment/local/2014/07/10/peoria-park-board-approves-funding/36876437007/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Journal Star |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034314/https://www.pjstar.com/story/entertainment/local/2014/07/10/peoria-park-board-approves-funding/36876437007/ |url-status=live }}

The Heart of Illinois Fair was established in 1949 and has run annually since.{{cite web |author=Tori Phelps |url=http://www.peoriamagazines.com/aa/2005/sep/annual-fine-art-fair |title=Annual Fine Art Fair |website=PeoriaMagazines.com |date=May 4, 2007 |access-date=September 14, 2009 |archive-date=November 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120072801/http://www.peoriamagazines.com/aa/2005/sep/annual-fine-art-fair |url-status=live }} The Steamboat Classic, held every summer, is the world's largest four-mile (6 km) running race and draws international runners.{{cite web |title=Top International Field Expected at Steamboat Classic 4 Mile |url=http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_5/top-international-field-e-3.shtml |work=Cool Running |publisher=The Active Network, Inc. |location=San Diego, California |date=June 15, 2006 |access-date=June 19, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070407183114/http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_5/top-international-field-e-3.shtml |archive-date=April 7, 2007}} The Peoria Santa Claus Parade, which started in 1888, is the oldest running holiday parade in the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.peoriaevents.com/events/santa-parade.html |title=Santa Claus Parade |website=PACE |access-date=June 3, 2015 |archive-date=May 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520123017/http://www.peoriaevents.com/events/santa-parade.html |url-status=live }}

The Peoria Art Guild, in partnership with the Peoria Park District, hosts the Annual Art Fair, which is continually rated as one of the 100 top art fairs in the nation. The Peoria Park District also partners with a variety of organizations to annually host Fiesta en el Rio, Peoria Irish Fest, River City Soul Fest and Gospel Fest, India Fest, Peoria Irish Fest, and Oktoberfest.

File:Madison Theatre.JPG]]

The Peoria Symphony Orchestra is the 14th oldest in the nation. Peoria is also home to the Peoria Municipal Band, the Peoria Area Civic Chorale, the Youth Music Illinois (formerly known as Central Illinois Youth Symphony), Central Illinois Ballet, and the Peoria Ballet. Several community and professional theaters have their home in and around Peoria, including the Peoria Players, which is the fourth-oldest community theater in the nation and the oldest in Illinois.{{cite web |url=http://www.peoriaplayers.org/history1.htm |title=Peoria Players History |date=March 19, 2007 |access-date=June 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921113658/http://www.peoriaplayers.org/history1.htm |archive-date=September 21, 2007}} Corn Stock Theatre is another community theater company in Peoria, and is the only outdoor theater company in Central Illinois.{{cite web |url=http://www.peoriamagazines.com/as/2013/may-jun/peoria-tradition-six-decades |title=A Peoria Tradition for Six Decades |website=Peoriamagazines.com |date=April 16, 2013 |access-date=February 6, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222000937/http://www.peoriamagazines.com/as/2013/may-jun/peoria-tradition-six-decades |url-status=live }}

Peoria has hosted the Heart of Illinois Fair every year since 1949.{{Cite web |last=Cody |first=Tom |date=June 27, 2023 |title=Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow at the HOI Fair |url=https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/yesterday-today-and-tomorrow-at-the-hoi-fair/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034316/https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/yesterday-today-and-tomorrow-at-the-hoi-fair/ |url-status=live }} The fair features livestock competitions, rides, concessions, motor contests, and concerts.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Home |url=https://heartofillinoisfair.com/Default.asp |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Heart of Illinois Fair |language=en |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034315/https://heartofillinoisfair.com/Default.asp |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Expo Gardens |url=https://expogardensinc.com/ |access-date=March 12, 2019 |website=expogardensinc.com |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306210617/http://expogardensinc.com/ |url-status=live }}

{{main|Peoria Civic Center|Hotel Pere Marquette}}

File:Peoria Civic Center.JPG]]

The Peoria Civic Center includes an arena, convention center, and theater, and opened June 6, 1982, was designed by the famed late architect Philip Johnson.{{Cite web |last=Hatch |first=Danielle |date=February 17, 2022 |title=In the 1960s, the plan to construct Civic Center was an effort to save Downtown Peoria |url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/history/2022/02/17/history-peoria-civic-center-planning-construction/6726099001/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Journal Star |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034315/https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/history/2022/02/17/history-peoria-civic-center-planning-construction/6726099001/ |url-status=live }} It completed a $55 million renovation and expansion by 2007.{{Cite web |last=Sharp |first=John |date=September 26, 2008 |title=Civic Center pays off project |url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/2008/09/26/civic-center-pays-off-project/42350198007/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Journal Star |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034313/https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/2008/09/26/civic-center-pays-off-project/42350198007/ |url-status=live }}

The Hotel Pere Marquette finished renovations in 2013{{cite web |url=https://www.pjstar.com/x208440872/Spectacular-Pere-Marquette-reopens-after-wholesale-renovation |title=Pere Marquette reopens with a 'spectacular' new look |publisher=Peoria Journal Star |access-date=January 13, 2019 |archive-date=January 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114210224/https://www.pjstar.com/x208440872/Spectacular-Pere-Marquette-reopens-after-wholesale-renovation |url-status=live }} with a skyway linking to the Peoria Civic Center. A new 10-story Courtyard has been built adjacent to this hotel, completing a hotel campus for larger conventions.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}} The Civic Center hosts a variety of events in its arena, convention center, and theatre, including Bradley Braves men's basketball, Peoria Rivermen (SPHL), the IHSA State Chess Championship. Which claims to be the largest chess team tournament in the United States: Beginning in 2018, the teams were narrowed to 128 by the use of sectional elimination competitions, and {{as of|2018|lc=on}} the tournament has about 1500 players, including up to 8 players and 4 alternates per team.{{cite press release |url=https://www.ihsa.org/IHSAState/IHSAStateArticles/tabid/768/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1476/2018-Chess.aspx |date=February 5, 2018 |title=2018 Chess |publisher=Illinois High School Association |access-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103210858/https://www.ihsa.org/IHSAState/IHSAStateArticles/tabid/768/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1476/2018-Chess.aspx |url-status=live }}

File:Image Lincoln Branch Peoria Public Library.jpeg, a Carnegie library]]

Library services in Peoria originated in 1855 with two rival libraries, the Peoria Mercantile Library and the Peoria Library, which consolidated in 1856 as the Peoria City Library, and contained over 1,500 volumes.Bryan, W., & Noack, T. (2014). Historical Sketch of the Peoria Public Library. peoriapubliclibrary.org. https://peoriapubliclibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ppl-history-book.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128181356/https://peoriapubliclibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ppl-history-book.pdf |date=November 28, 2022 }} The Peoria Public Library has five locations, including the Main Library in downtown Peoria, the Lincoln Branch, a Carnegie library opened in 1911, the Lakeview Branch, McClure Branch, and North Branch.

{{See also|List of City of Peoria Historic Landmarks and Districts}}

{{div col|colwidth=17em}}

• Central National Bank Building
• Cumberland Presbyterian Church
• Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall
• Grandview Drive
• International Harvester Building
• John C. Proctor Recreation Center
• Judge Flanagan Residence
• Judge Jacob Gale House
• Madison Theatre
• North Side Historic District
• Peace and Harvest
• Peoria City Hall
• Peoria Cordage Company
• Peoria Mineral Springs
• Peoria Waterworks
• Pere Marquette Hotel
• Pettingill-Morron House
• Rock Island Depot and Freight House
• Springdale Cemetery
• West Bluff Historic District
• A. Lucas & Sons

{{div col end}}

{{See also|Category:Sports clubs and teams in Peoria, Illinois}}

Grandview Drive, which Theodore Roosevelt purportedly called the "world's most beautiful drive" during a 1910 visit,{{Cite web |url=http://blogs.pjstar.com/wordonweb/2011/04/11/promoting-grandview-drive-theodore-roosevelts-connection/ |title=Promoting Grandview Drive & Theodore Roosevelt's connection – 'Word' on the Web |website=Journal Star |language=en-US |access-date=August 29, 2019 |archive-date=August 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829172438/http://blogs.pjstar.com/wordonweb/2011/04/11/promoting-grandview-drive-theodore-roosevelts-connection/ |url-status=live }} runs through both Peoria and Peoria Heights. In addition to Grandview Drive, the Peoria Park District contains {{convert|9,000|acre|km2}} of parks and trails, making it the largest park system in Illinois. The Illinois River Bluff Trail connects four Peoria Park District parks: Camp Wokanda, Robinson Park, Green Valley Camp, and Detweiller Park; the Rock Island Greenway (13 miles) connects the State of Illinois Rock Island trail traveling north to Toulon, IL and also connects southeast to East Peoria, IL and to the Morton Community Bikeway. Other parks include the Forest Park Nature Center, which features seven miles of hiking trails through prairie openings and forested woodlands, Glen Oak Park, and Bradley Park, which features disc golf as well as a dog park. Peoria has five public golf courses, as well as several private and semi-private golf courses. The Peoria Park District, the first and still largest park district in Illinois, was the 2001 Winner of the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation for Class II Parks.{{cite web |url=http://www.peoriaparks.org/ |title=Welcome to the Peoria Park District, Peoria, Illinois, USA |website=Peoriaparks.org |access-date=September 14, 2009 |archive-date=February 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220124424/http://www.peoriaparks.org/ |url-status=live }}

Various cultural institutions are located in Glen Oak Park. The Peoria Zoo, formerly Glen Oak Zoo, was expanded and refurbished in recent years. Finished in 2009, the new zoo improvements more than triple the size of the zoo and feature a major African safari exhibit.{{cite web |url=http://www.pjstar.com/entertainment/x795247949/Say-hello-to-Africa |title=Say hello to Africa |first=Danielle |last=Hatch |website=Pjstar.com |access-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-date=March 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305235015/http://www.pjstar.com/entertainment/x795247949/Say-hello-to-Africa |url-status=live }} Luthy Garden, established in 1951, is {{cvt|5|acre}} and offers over a dozen theme gardens and a Conservatory.{{Cite web |title=Luthy Botanical Garden |url=https://peoriaparks.org/places/luthy/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Park District |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034315/https://peoriaparks.org/places/luthy/ |url-status=live }}

Peoria is a home rule municipality with a mayor and ten city council members, operating under a council-manager form of government. The city is divided into five districts, each of which elects one member using first-past-the-post (FPTP). Additionally, five council members are elected at-large using plurality block voting.

File:Map highlighting Peoria City Township, Peoria County, Illinois.svg

The Township of the City of Peoria (also City of Peoria Township) is a separate government from the City of Peoria, and performs the functions of civil township government in most of the city. The township was created by the Peoria County Board to match the boundaries of the City of Peoria, which until then had overlapped portions of Peoria Township (now West Peoria Township) and Richwoods Township.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EPpCAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Town%20of%20the%20City%20of%20Peoria%22&pg=PA457 |title=Biennial Report of the Attorney General of the State of Illinois |page=457 |author=Illinois Attorney General's Office |date=December 1908 |publisher=Illinois State Journal Co. |location=Springfield, Illinois |access-date=July 28, 2019 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213072059/https://books.google.com/books?id=EPpCAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Town%20of%20the%20City%20of%20Peoria%22&pg=PA457#v=snippet&q=%22Town%20of%20the%20City%20of%20Peoria%22&f=false |url-status=live }} The border of the township grew with the Peoria city limits until 1990, when it was frozen at its current boundaries, containing about {{cvt|53|sqmi|sp=us}};{{cite web |url=https://www.peoriatownship.com/boundary |title=Peoria Township Boundary |publisher=City of Peoria Township |location=Peoria, Illinois |access-date=July 28, 2019 |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729044029/https://www.peoriatownship.com/boundary |url-status=live }} the City of Peoria itself has continued expanding outside the City of Peoria Township borders into Kickapoo, Medina, and Radnor townships. In the years before the freeze, the Township of the City of Peoria had grown to take up most of the former area of Richwoods and what is now West Peoria Township.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}

This township has the following neighborhoods:

• Averyville*
• Central Peoria
• Downtown
• East Bluff
• El Vista*
• Glen Oak-Flanagan Historic District
• Grandview Drive
• Heart of Peoria
• Moss-Bradley
• North Valley
• Northwest Peoria
• Randolph-Roanoke Historic District
• University East
• The Uplands
• West Bluff

* - unincorporated towns that were assimilated by the City of Peoria:

File:Peoria 20231119 0363 Peoria High School.jpg]]

Peoria is divided between several public K-12 school districts:{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17143_peoria/DC20SD_C17143.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Peoria County, IL|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=October 30, 2024}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17143_peoria/DC20SD_C17143_SD2MS.txt Text list] - Use [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st17_il/place/p1750699_mossville/DC20BLK_P1750699.pdf this PDF map] to distinguish Mossville from Peoria (which were given the same color, but are separate)

• Peoria Public Schools District 150 is the largest and serves the majority of the city. District 150 schools include dozens of primary and middle schools, as well as three public high schools: Richwoods High School, which hosts the competitive International Baccalaureate Program of study; Manual High School; and Peoria High School (Central), the oldest high school in Illinois.{{Cite web |last=Lasswell |first=Mark |date=August 1, 2022 |title=Historic Peoria High, still making history |url=https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/historic-peoria-high-still-making-history/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=Peoria Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034314/https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/historic-peoria-high-still-making-history/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Flick |first=Bill |date=September 28, 2020 |title=Flick Fact: What is Illinois' oldest high school? |url=https://pantagraph.com/news/local/flick-fact-what-is-illinois-oldest-high-school/article_613f1af8-f361-598f-8894-420ab827bdeb.html |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=pantagraph.com |language=en |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034314/https://pantagraph.com/news/local/flick-fact-what-is-illinois-oldest-high-school/article_613f1af8-f361-598f-8894-420ab827bdeb.html |url-status=live }} At the end of the 2009–2010 school year, a fourth high school, Woodruff High School, closed. According to SchoolDigger, District 150 has the highest-ranking middle school (Washington Gifted Middle School).
• Dunlap Community Unit School District 323 serves the far north and northwest parts of Peoria, that were mostly outside the city before the 1990s.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} Dunlap schools have Dunlap High School, 2 Middle Schools and 5 Elementary schools.
• Pleasant Valley School District 62 includes a part of western Peoria.
• Limestone Community High School District 310 serves a small portion of the western edge of the City of Peoria (western edges of Wardcliffe and Lexington Hills areas{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}), but mainly serves the suburbs of Bartonville, Bellevue and surrounding towns.
• Peoria Heights Community Unit School District 325 serves the suburb of Peoria Heights; however, parts of the City of Peoria immediately outside the Heights are in this school district.
• Illinois Valley Central Unit School District 321 includes parts of northeast Peoria
• Peoria was also served by Quest Charter Academy, a STEM focused school serving grades 5–12, until the charter school closed its doors at the conclusion of the 2024 school year.{{Cite web |last=Njau |first=Gianna |date=July 30, 2024 |title=Around 300 Quest Charter Academy students transition to District 150 classrooms |url=https://www.25newsnow.com/2024/07/30/around-300-quest-charter-academy-students-transition-district-150-classrooms/ |access-date=October 6, 2024 |website=www.25newsnow.com |language=en}}

File:Bradley U Bradley Hall.jpg]]

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria runs six schools in the city: five grade schools and Peoria Notre Dame High School. Non-denominational Peoria Christian School operates a grade school, middle school, and high school. In addition, Concordia Lutheran School, Peoria Academy, Christ Lutheran School, Peoria Hebrew Day School, and several smaller private schools exist.{{Cite web |title=Search for Private Schools - Search Results |url=https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&County=Peoria&State=17 |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=nces.ed.gov |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034312/https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&County=Peoria&State=17 |url-status=live }}

Bradley University, Methodist College, OSF St. Francis College of Nursing, the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, and the north campus of Illinois Central College are based in the city. The former Peoria campus of Roosevelt University is now closed. Additionally, Eureka College and the main campus of Illinois Central College are located nearby in Eureka and East Peoria, respectively.

{{Main|Media in Peoria, Illinois}}

As of 2024 Nielsen ratings, Peoria is the 157th largest radio market in the United States{{cite web |url=http://www.arbitron.com/downloads/redbook_fa11.pdf |title=Market Survey Schedule & Population Rankings |publisher=Arbitron |date=September 12, 2011 |access-date=September 12, 2011 |archive-date=October 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015200901/http://arbitron.com/downloads/redbook_fa11.pdf |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |title=True Market {{!}} Radio Audience Ratings |url=https://www.rab.com/public/trueMarket.cfm |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=www.rab.com |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922185924/https://www.rab.com/public/trueMarket.cfm |url-status=live }} and Peoria-Bloomington is the 122nd largest television market in the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/public%20factsheets/tv/2010-2011%20DMA%20Ranks.pdf |title=Local Television Market Universe Estimates: Comparisons of 2009–10 and 2010–11 Market Ranks |publisher=The Neilsen Company |location=New York City |date=August 27, 2010 |access-date=January 15, 2011 |archive-date=March 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304030901/http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/public%20factsheets/tv/2010-2011%20DMA%20Ranks.pdf |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |title=Nielsen DMA Rankings 2023 |url=https://ustvdb.com/seasons/2022-23/markets/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=ustvdb.com |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605234252/https://ustvdb.com/seasons/2022-23/markets/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Radio Industry News, Radio Show Prep, Radio Promotions, Radio Station Data, Podcast News |url=https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb_menu_rank |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=RADIO ONLINE |language=en-US}}

The area has 14 commercial radio stations with six owners among them; four non-commercial full-power radio stations, each separately owned;{{Cite web |url=https://tlr.nielsen.com/tlr/public/ratingsDisplay.do?method=loadRatingsForMarket |title=Archived copy |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213072101/https://tlr.nielsen.com/tlr/public/ratingsDisplay.do?method=loadRatingsForMarket |url-status=live }} five commercial television stations with two operating owners among them;{{Cite web |title=Peoria - Bloomington Television Stations - Station Index |url=https://www.stationindex.com/tv/markets/peoria-bloomington |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=www.stationindex.com |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608112059/https://www.stationindex.com/tv/markets/Peoria-Bloomington |url-status=live }} one non-commercial television station;{{Cite web |title=TV Station WTVP - Station Information - FCC Public Inspection Files |url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/tv-profile/WTVP |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=publicfiles.fcc.gov |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011034313/https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/tv-profile/WTVP |url-status=live }} and one daily newspaper (Peoria Journal Star).

NOAA Weather Radio station WXJ71 transmits from East Peoria and is licensed to NOAA's National Weather Service Central Illinois Weather Forecast Office at Lincoln, broadcasting on a frequency of 162.475 mHz (channel 4 on most newer weather radios, and most SAME weather radios). The station activates the SAME tone alarm feature and a 1050 Hz tone activating older radios (except for AMBER Alerts, using the SAME feature only) for hazardous weather and non-weather warnings and emergencies, along with selected weather watches, for the Illinois counties of Fulton, Knox, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford. Weather permitting, a tone alarm test of both the SAME and 1050 Hz tone features are conducted every Wednesday between 11 AM and noon.{{Cite web |url=http://www.weather.gov/ilx/nwrpia |title=NOAA Weather Radio Station WXJ-71 (Peoria) |last=Lincoln |first=National Weather Service |website=NOAA Weather Radio Station WXJ-71 (Peoria) |publisher=Lincoln National Weather Service |access-date=July 7, 2016 |archive-date=June 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626162722/http://www.weather.gov/ilx/nwrpia |url-status=live }}

{{more citations needed section|date=January 2019}}

The health-care industry accounts for at least 25% of Peoria's economy.{{Citation needed|date=May 2007}} The city has three major hospitals: OSF Saint Francis Medical Center (the area's Level I adult trauma center), Carle Health Peoria – Methodist (a level II adult trauma center), and Carle Health Peoria – Proctor. In addition, the Children's Hospital of Illinois (a part of OSF Saint Francis, and the area's Level I pediatric trauma center), the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, and the Midwest Affiliate of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are located in the city. The hospitals are all located in a medical district around the junction of Interstate 74 and Knoxville Avenue, adjacent to downtown in the southeast of the city, except for Carle Health Peoria – Proctor, which is in the geographic center of the city. The surrounding towns are also supported by Carle Health Peoria - Pekin Hospital in Pekin, Illinois, Advocate Eureka Hospital in Eureka, Illinois, and the Hopedale Medical Complex Hospital and Nursing Home in Hopedale, Illinois. The [http://www.ipmr.org/ Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation] was created from the "Peoria Plan for Human Rehabilitation," a model for medical and occupational rehabilitation launched in 1943 to integrate returning World War II veterans back into the workplace.

{{See also|Bridges in Peoria, Illinois|Peoria-to-Chicago Highway}}

File:McClugage Bridge Peoria-820.JPG

The Peoria area is served by three Interstate highways: Interstate 74, which runs from northwest to southeast through the downtown area, Interstate 474, a southern bypass of I-74 through portions of Peoria and the suburbs of Bartonville and Creve Coeur, and Interstate 155, which runs south from I-74 in Morton to Interstate 55 in Lincoln which connects to Springfield and St. Louis. I-74 crosses over the Illinois River via the Murray Baker Bridge, while I-474 crosses via the Shade-Lohmann Bridge. The nearest metropolitan centers accessible on I-74 are the Quad Cities to the west, and Bloomington-Normal to the east.

From 2004 to 2006, Interstate 74 between Interstate 474 on the west and Illinois Route 8 on the east was reconstructed as part of the Upgrade 74 project.{{cite web |publisher=Illinois Department of Transportation |title=Upgrade 74 |url=http://www.upgrade74.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116030630/http://www.upgrade74.com/ |archive-date=November 16, 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 14, 2022 |date=January 4, 2007}} In addition, U.S. Route 150 serves as the main arterial for the northern portion of the Peoria area, becoming War Memorial Drive before heading west towards Kickapoo. It enters from the McClugage Bridge; east of the bridge, then runs southeast to Morton. U.S. Route 24 runs concurrently with Interstate 474 in the southwest portion of the city.

The following state routes run through Peoria:

• Illinois Route 6 runs along the northwestern portion of the city as an extension of I-474. It is a four-lane freeway that runs from the I-74/474 intersection northeast to Illinois Route 29 south of Chillicothe. It is marked as a north–south road.
• Illinois Route 8 roughly parallels I-74 to the south. It enters Peoria from Elmwood and runs southeast through the city, passing just southwest of the downtown area. Illinois 8 crosses into East Peoria via the Cedar Street Bridge with 116. Illinois 8 is marked as an east–west road.
• Illinois Route 29 runs through Peoria along the Illinois River from Chillicothe through downtown Peoria. It then joins Interstate 74 across the Murray Baker Bridge. Illinois 29 is marked as a north–south road, and is called Galena Road north of U.S. 150.
• Illinois Route 40 (formerly 88) enters Peoria from the north as Knoxville Avenue. It runs south through the center of the city and exits southeast over the Bob Michel Bridge. Illinois 40 is marked as a north–south road.
• Illinois Route 91 briefly enters Peoria at the intersection with U.S. 150 in the far northwestern portion of the city. Traffic on Illinois 91 mainly accesses The Shoppes at Grand Prairie,{{cite web |url=http://www.shoppesatgrandprairie.com/directions |title=Directions |website=Shoppesatgrandprairie.com |access-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407075217/http://www.shoppesatgrandprairie.com/directions |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |url-status=dead}} or continues to Dunlap.
• Illinois Route 116 enters from the west at Bellevue. It runs directly east and crosses into East Peoria over the Cedar Street Bridge.

The planned Illinois Route 336 project will also connect Illinois 336 with I-474 between Illinois 8 and Illinois 116. Construction on the segment nearest Peoria has not started, nor has funding been allocated.

Peoria remains a major freight hub but its minor passenger service has been waning since the 1950s.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYUqu60dm_c&t=1s|title=Classic Trains in the Land of Lincoln: Dick Neumiller's Central Illinois Photography|publisher=Center for Railroad Photography & Art|access-date=April 24, 2024}}

Metro Peoria is served by ten common carrier railroads. Four are Class I railroads: BNSF, Canadian National, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific. The latter has a north–south oriented line which skirts the west edge of the city but a line branches off of it to enter Peoria. One Class II/Regional, Iowa Interstate, serves the city, coming out of Bureau Junction, Illinois. Five Class III/Shortline railroads: Central Illinois Railroad, which operates a portion of the city-owned Peoria, Peoria Heights and Western Railroad; three Genesee & Wyoming-owned operations: Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway, which runs next to US 24 east to Logansport, Indiana (formally owned by Rail America), Illinois & Midland Railroad (the former Chicago & Illinois Midland, comes up from Springfield and Havana) and Tazewell & Peoria Railroad (leases the Peoria & Pekin Union Railway from its owners Canadian National, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific); Pioneer Railcorp's Keokuk Junction Railway (which now owns the Toledo, Peoria and Western's West End from Lomax and La Harpe in Western Illinois, plus the branch from Keokuk).{{cite web |title=Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway TPW #769 |url=https://www.up.com/customers/shortline/profiles_t-z/tpw/index.htm |publisher=Union Pacific |access-date=March 14, 2022 |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006083205/https://www.up.com/customers/shortline/profiles_t-z/tpw/index.htm |url-status=live }}

Several Midwestern railroads served Peoria Union Station until 1955. The Rock Island Railroad operated trains into its Rock Island Depot until 1978, when they discontinued the Peoria Rocket. East Peoria was served by Amtrak's Prairie Marksman (Chicago–East Peoria) until 1981. Peoria is currently the second largest city in Illinois without passenger rail service; the closest passenger stations are Galesburg (served by Amtrak's Chicago–Los Angeles Southwest Chief) and Bloomington (served by Amtrak's Chicago-St. Louis Lincoln Service). A study of East Peoria–Bloomington passenger rail service was published in 2011. Plans for the proposed service, which would have connected with Amtrak's Lincoln Service at Bloomington, were abandoned due to financial considerations.{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Alex |date=July 21, 2022 |title=The stars have aligned: New plan revealed for passenger rail from Peoria to Chicago |url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/local/2022/07/21/chicago-to-peoria-blueprint-for-new-amtrak-service-in-illinois/65379235007/ |access-date=August 3, 2022 |website=Peoria Journal Star |language=en-US |archive-date=August 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807182727/https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/local/2022/07/21/chicago-to-peoria-blueprint-for-new-amtrak-service-in-illinois/65379235007/ |url-status=live }}

A study of Peoria–Chicago passenger rail service was published in July 2022. The study, conducted by IDOT at the request of a Passenger Rail Committee established in August 2021, estimated that startup costs for the proposed service would be $2.54 billion. The service would be operated by Amtrak and would have intermediate stops at LaSalle-Peru, Utica, Ottawa, Morris, and Joliet. The trip between Peoria and Chicago would take about {{frac|2|1|2}} hours. Committee members, who met with federal transportation officials and Amtrak's CEO, were hopeful about securing funding.

Public bus service is provided by the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District, which operates 17 bus routes under the name CityLink that serve the city, Illinois Central College, and much of East Peoria, Peoria Heights, West Peoria in addition to points between Peoria and Pekin.{{cite web |url=http://www.ridecitylink.org/maps.htm |title=CityLink maps |date=May 16, 2007 |access-date=June 19, 2007 |publisher=Greater Peoria Mass Transit District (CityLink) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070709031019/http://www.ridecitylink.org/maps.htm |archive-date=July 9, 2007}}

General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport is located west of Peoria. The airport is served by United Express, American Eagle, Allegiant Air, and numerous cargo carriers.{{cite web |url=http://flypia.com/ |title=Peoria International Airport |website=Flypia.com |access-date=February 6, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222140545/http://flypia.com/ |url-status=live }}

Mount Hawley Auxiliary Airport, on the north end of the city, is a general aviation airport.{{cite web |title=Mount Hawley Auxiliary |url=https://nfdc.faa.gov/nfdcApps/services/ajv5/airportDisplay.jsp?airportId=3MY |publisher=FAA |access-date=March 14, 2022 |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412025427/https://nfdc.faa.gov/nfdcApps/services/ajv5/airportDisplay.jsp?airportId=3MY |url-status=live }}

{{Main|List of people from Peoria, Illinois}}

{{cleanup list|section|date=January 2019}}

• Gerald Thomas Bergan, clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church
• Caroline Brown Bourland, Professor & Scholar
• Lydia Moss Bradley, founded Bradley University
• William Lane Craig, Christian apologist
• Philip José Farmer, Science Fiction Author
• Dan Fogelberg, Singer & Songwriter
• Betty Friedan, feminist writer and activist
• Alice Rogers Hager, president, Women's National Press Club
• John Grier Hibben, Philosopher & Educator
• A. J. Guyton, Professional basketball player, graduated from Peoria High School
• Bruce Johnston, member of the Beach Boys
• Jim Jordan (Fibber McGee), Fibber McGee and Molly radio show
• Marian Jordan (Molly), Fibber McGee and Molly radio show
• Mudvayne, heavy metal band formed in 1996
• Tim Kelley Multi Grammy Award Winning Record Producer, Key To The City of Peoria recipient
• Thomas D. Duane, Ophthalmologist who first described valsalva retinopathy in 1972.{{cite news |title=Obituary for Thomas D. Duane Duane (Aged 75) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38380941/obituary-for-thomas-d-duane-duane/ |work=The Daily Item |date=June 25, 1993 |pages=13 |access-date=April 25, 2022 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213072102/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-item-obituary-for-thomas-d-du/38380941/ |url-status=live }}
• Sam Kinison, Actor & Comedian
• Tami Lane, Oscar Winning Prosthetic Makeup Artist
• Ralph Lawler, Voice of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers for 41 years.
• Shaun Livingston, NBA Player & Executive
• Bobby McGrath, pool player
• Sherrick McManis, NFL Football Player
• Bob Michel, U.S. Congressman
• Richard Pryor, stand-up comedian and actor
• Brian Randle (born 1985), basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Super League
• Bob Robinson, Songwriter from the Tim & Bob duo
• Jeff Salzenstein (born 1973), tennis player
• Fulton J. Sheen, Catholic archbishop
• David Sills, former mayor of Irvine, California and son-in-law of President Ronald Reagan
• Dan Simmons, Science Fiction & Horror Writer
• Edward W. Snedeker, Decorated Marine Corps General
• David Ogden Stiers, actor
• Greg X. Volz, singer
• Richard A. Whiting, composer
• Mike Zimmer, American football coach
• Tyler Ziegel, US Marine, Recipient of the Purple Heart

The theme of Peoria as the archetypal example of middle American culture runs throughout American culture, appearing in movies and books, on television and radio, and in countless advertisements as either a filler place name or the representative of mainstream taste, hence the phrase "Will it play in Peoria?"{{cite web |title=Will it Play in Peoria? |url=http://storycorps.org/will-it-play-in-peoria/ |publisher=StoryCorps |access-date=September 17, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713070134/http://storycorps.org/will-it-play-in-peoria/ |archive-date=July 13, 2015}}{{cite news |title=Peoria, IL |url=https://www.forbes.com/places/il/peoria/ |access-date=September 17, 2014 |work=Forbes |archive-date=September 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901145024/http://www.forbes.com/places/il/peoria/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Borcover |first1=Alfred |title=Play in Peoria |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2010/04/09/play-in-peoria/ |access-date=September 17, 2014 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=April 9, 2010 |archive-date=May 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504022740/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-04-09/news/ct-trav-0411-peoria-20100409_1_illinois-river-warehouse-upscale-condos |url-status=live }}

Mudvayne, an alternative metal band was founded in Peoria in 1996. Published posthumously in 2011, David Foster Wallace's unfinished novel The Pale King features vignettes based in Peoria.

Peoria's sister cities include:{{cite web |url=http://www.sister-cities.org/directory/USlistingsResults.cfm?selectedState=IL |title=Sister City US Listings – Directory Search Results – Illinois |publisher=Sister Cities International |location=Washington, D.C. |access-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322031417/http://www.sister-cities.org/directory/USlistingsResults.cfm?selectedState=IL |archive-date=March 22, 2012}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/story/d/story/peoria-becomes-sister-city-with-aitou-lebanon/39062/WChNj5m9GE-Rg9rUjvgWQg |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140726141532/http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/story/d/story/peoria-becomes-sister-city-with-aitou-lebanon/39062/WChNj5m9GE-Rg9rUjvgWQg |title=Peoria Becomes Sister City with Aitou, Lebanon - CIProud |archive-date=July 26, 2014 |access-date=July 17, 2014 |url-status=live}}

• {{flagicon|LBN}} Aitou, Lebanon
• {{flagicon|CHN}} Benxi, China
• {{flagicon|IRL}} Clonmel, Ireland
• {{flagicon|GER}} Friedrichshafen, Germany

{{portal|Illinois}}

• General American English
• Will it play in Peoria?
• List of places named Peoria

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{official website}}

; General information

• {{osmrelation-inline|126009}}
• {{cite EB1911|wstitle=Peoria |short=x}}
• [http://www.peoria.com/community/peoria_neighborhoods.php Peoria Neighborhoods Map] at Peoria.com

{{Peoria, Illinois}}

{{Peoria County, Illinois}}

{{Illinois}}

{{All-American City Award Hall of Fame}}

{{Illinois county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Subject bar|portal1=Geography|portal2=Illinois|commons=y|commons-search=Category:Peoria, Illinois|voy=y|voy-search=Peoria (Illinois)|wikt=y|wikt-search=Peoria|s=y|s-search=The American Cyclopædia (1879)/Peoria (city)}}

Category:1691 establishments in New France

Category:Cities in Peoria County, Illinois

Category:County seats in Illinois

Category:French colonial settlements of Illinois Country

Category:Peoria metropolitan area, Illinois

Category:Populated places established in 1691

Category:Ronald Reagan Trail

Category:Cities in Illinois