RANK #465 / 1001 NAT · #19 / 28 IL · POP 179,645
1YR FORECAST: +2.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
Peoria County, Illinois, known as the "Heart of Illinois," is situated along the Illinois River, approximately 160 miles southwest of Chicago. The city of Peoria, the county seat, offers a blend of urban amenities and a small-town atmosphere. Grandview Drive, once called "the world's most beautiful drive" by President Theodore Roosevelt, provides scenic views of the Illinois River Valley. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound, with destinations like Wildlife Prairie Park, offering 2,000 acres of natural habitat and native Illinois animals, and the Rock Island Trail, a 26-mile path for hiking and biking. The Peoria Park District, the first park system established in Illinois, manages over 9,000 acres of land and recreational centers. Life in Peoria County offers a balance of affordability and access to services. Public transportation is available through CityLink buses, and ride-sharing services also operate in the area. The county features a range of educational institutions, including highly rated public schools in areas like Dunlap, and higher education options such as Bradley University and the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria. The economy, historically tied to manufacturing and agriculture, is diversifying with investments in healthcare, education, and technology. Major employers include OSF HealthCare and Carle Health, and there is a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in areas like bioprocessing and green chemistry.
Peoria County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +7.6% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Goldrush Apple Wind
Apex Clean Energy
|
$900M | Proposed |
|
Four Creeks Wind Project
Repsol Renewables
|
$750M | Planned |
|
Ameren Illinois Natural Gas Pipeline Crossing
Ameren Illinois
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Peoria County Jail Upgrades and Road/Bridge Projects
Peoria County
|
$32M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Peoria County scores 53/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#465). Median household income is $65,108 and job growth is running at -2.1%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Peoria County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $158,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.41 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $993/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Peoria County's job market is contracting (-2.1% YoY) while population is roughly stable (-0.1% change). Home values are +7.6% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.86% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Peoria County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +7.6% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Peoria County is now valued at $158,500. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.