Peoria City
RANK #51 / 996 NAT · #9 / 28 IL · POP 181,186
1YR FORECAST: +5.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +39%
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.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.0x — 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.
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 996 counties.
Peoria County ranks #51 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 95/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $63,409 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
By national standards, Peoria County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $150,400, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.42 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $909/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Peoria County is losing population (-0.7% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (+0.4% employment change). Home values are +8.2% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.84% 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 +8.2% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Peoria County is now valued at $150,400. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.