Peoria County, Illinois

{{Short description|County in Illinois, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Peoria County | state = Illinois | ex image = Peoria County Courthouse, 2019.jpg | ex image cap = Peoria County Courthouse | ex image size = 180px | seal = Peoria County il seal.png | flag = Flag of Peoria County, Illinois.svg | founded = 1825 | seat wl = Peoria | largest city = Peoria | coordinates = {{Coord|40.79|-89.76|display=inline,title|type:adm2nd_region:US-IL_source:UScensus1990}} | area_total_sq_mi = 631 | area_land_sq_mi = 619 | area_water_sq_mi = 11 | area percentage = 1.8 | census yr = 2020 | pop = 181830 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 178553 {{loss}} | density_sq_mi = auto | web = www.peoriacounty.gov | district = 16th | district2 = 17th | time zone = Central | named for = Peoria tribe |ZIP codes=61451, 61517, 61523, 61525, 61526, 61528, 61529, 61531, 61533, 61536, 61539, 61547, 61552, 61559, 61562, 61569, 61601, 61602, 61603, 61604, 61605, 61606, 61607, 61612, 61613, 61614, 61615, 61616, 61625, 61629, 61630, 61633, 61634, 61636, 61637, 61638, 61639, 61641, 61643, 61650, 61651, 61652, 61653, 61654, 61655, 61656 }} '''Peoria County''' is located in the U.S. state of Illinois. The 2020 United States census listed its population at 181,830.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=QuickFacts Peoria County, Illinois |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/peoriacountyillinois |website=United States Census |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> Its county seat is Peoria.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peoria County, Illinois |url=http://www.peoriacounty.org}}</ref> Peoria County is part of the Peoria metropolitan area.

==History== {{Expand section|date=August 2008}} Peoria County was formed in 1825 out of Fulton County. It was named for the Peoria, an Illiniwek people who lived there. It included most of the western valley of the Illinois River up to the Chicago river portage.

==Geography== According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|631|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|619|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|11|sqmi}} (1.8%) is water.<ref name="CD">{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US17143 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212200819/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US17143 |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> The county is drained by Spoon River, Kickapoo Creek, Elbow Creek, and Copperas Creek.<ref>{{Cite AmCyc|wstitle=Peoria (county)|display=Peoria, a N. central county of Illinois}}</ref>

===Climate and weather=== {{climate chart |Peoria, Illinois |14|31|1.50 |20|37|1.67 |30|49|2.83 |40|62|3.56 |51|73|4.17 |60|82|3.84 |65|86|4.02 |63|84|3.16 |54|77|3.12 |42|64|2.77 |31|49|2.99 |20|35|2.40 |float=right |units=imperial |clear=both |source=The Weather Channel<ref name="WX">{{Cite web |title=Monthly Averages for Peoria IL |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL0935 |access-date=January 27, 2011 |publisher=The Weather Channel}}</ref>}} In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Peoria have ranged from a low of {{convert|14|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|86|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-27|°F}} was recorded in January 1884 and a record high of {{convert|113|°F}} was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|1.50|in}} in January to {{convert|4.17|in}} in May.<ref name=WX/>

===Adjacent counties=== {{div col}} * Knox County – northwest * Stark County – north * Marshall County – northeast * Woodford County – east * Tazewell County – south * Fulton County – southwest {{div col end}}

==Transportation== ===Transit=== * Greater Peoria Mass Transit District

===Major highways=== {{div col|colwidth=15em}} * 20px Interstate 74 * 20px Interstate 474 * 20px U.S. Route 24 * 20px U.S. Route 150 * 20px Illinois Route 6 * 20px Illinois Route 8 * 20px Illinois Route 9 * 20px Illinois Route 29 * 20px Illinois Route 40 * 20px Illinois Route 78 * 20px Illinois Route 90 * 20px Illinois Route 91 * 20px Illinois Route 116 {{div col end}}

===Defunct highways=== * 20px Illinois Route 174 * 20px Illinois Route 175

===Airports=== * General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport (PIA), formerly Greater Peoria Regional Airport * Mount Hawley Auxiliary Airport (3MY) – Peoria, Illinois<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peoria County Public and Private Airports |url=http://www.tollfreeairline.com/illinois/peoria.htm |access-date=April 17, 2018 |website=www.tollfreeairline.com}}</ref>

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1840= 6153 |1850= 17547 |1860= 36601 |1870= 47540 |1880= 55355 |1890= 70378 |1900= 88608 |1910= 100255 |1920= 111710 |1930= 141344 |1940= 153374 |1950= 174347 |1960= 189044 |1970= 195318 |1980= 200466 |1990= 182827 |2000= 183433 |2010= 186494 |2020= 181830 |estyear=2025 |estimate=178553 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 12, 2026}}</ref> {{decrease}} |align-fn=center |footnote=US Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=July 8, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> 1790–1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |archive-date=August 11, 2012 |access-date=July 8, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/il190090.txt |access-date=July 8, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> 1990–2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |access-date=July 8, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2019<ref name=QF/> | align = right }}

===2020 census===

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 181,830. The median age was 38.5 years; 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.2 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A143&in=state%3A17|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 25, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

The racial makeup of the county was 67.4% White, 18.7% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.3% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.8% from some other race, and 6.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.5% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A143&in=state%3A17|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 25, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

83.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 16.9% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A143&in=state%3A17|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=December 25, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 75,808 households in the county, of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.9% were married-couple households, 21.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 85,074 housing units, of which 10.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 63.3% were owner-occupied and 36.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.5%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Peoria County, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Pop 1980<ref name=1980Census>{{Cite web|title=1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois- Table 14 - Persons by Race and Table 16 (p. 18-28) - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 29-39)|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_ilAB-03.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau|page=}}</ref> !Pop 1990<ref name=1990Census>{{Cite web|title=1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois - Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Orogin|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-2/cp-2-15-1.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Peoria County, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US17143&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Peoria County, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US17143&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" | Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Peoria County, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US17143&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !% 1980 !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |White alone (NH) |174,586 |152,801 |143,932 |135,620 |style='background: #ffffe6; |120,629 |87.09% |83.58% |78.47% |72.72% |style='background: #ffffe6; |66.34% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |21,349 |24,746 |29,320 |32,720 |style='background: #ffffe6; |33,635 |10.65% |13.54% |15.98% |17.54% |style='background: #ffffe6; |18.50% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |275 |303 |365 |373 |style='background: #ffffe6; |342 |0.14% |0.17% |0.20% |0.20% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.19% |- |Asian alone (NH) |1,322 |2,193 |3,010 |5,819 |style='background: #ffffe6; |7,730 |0.66% |1.20% |1.64% |3.12% |style='background: #ffffe6; |4.25% |- |Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref> |39 |59 |style='background: #ffffe6; |61 |x |x |0.02% |0.03% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.03% |- |Other race alone (NH) |462 |188 |288 |314 |style='background: #ffffe6; |783 |0.23% |0.10% |0.16% |0.17% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.43% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref> |2,652 |4,487 |style='background: #ffffe6; |8,559 |x |x |1.45% |2.41% |style='background: #ffffe6; |4.71% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |2,472 |2,596 |3,827 |7,102 |style='background: #ffffe6; |10,091 |1.23% |1.42% |2.09% |3.81% |style='background: #ffffe6; |5.55% |- |'''Total''' |'''200,466''' |'''182,827''' |'''183,433''' |'''186,494''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''181,830 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

===2010 census===

In terms of ancestry, per the 2010 US Census, 28.3% were German, 14.8% were Irish, 10.4% were English, and 5.5% were American.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US17143 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213022230/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US17143 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref>

Of the 75,793 households, 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.7% were non-families, and 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 36.8 years.<ref name="DP1">{{Cite web |title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US17143 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213032815/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US17143 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref>

The median income for a household in the county was $49,747 and the median income for a family was $63,163. Males had a median income of $51,246 versus $32,881 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,157. About 10.3% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US17143 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213010222/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US17143 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> ==Points of interest== * Glasford crater * Jubilee College State Park * WMBD World's Most Beautiful Drive (Grandview Drive/Prospect)<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/search/world's+most+beautiful+drive+peoria+il/@40.7281673,-89.5565858,17z/data=!3m1!4b1 ''Grandview Drive'' Google Maps (accessed 27 December 2018)]</ref> * Forest Park Nature Center<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Forest+Park+Nature+Center/@40.7573483,-89.5771269,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x880a5a5801810bb7:0xb2452b3441b08f95!8m2!3d40.7573443!4d-89.5749329 ''Forest Park Nature Center'' Google Maps (accessed 27 December 2018)]</ref> * Peoria Heights Tower Park<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tower+Park/@40.7470115,-89.5767825,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x880a5a5b10570af5:0x4d239e7b960c0de1!8m2!3d40.7470075!4d-89.5745885 ''Peoria Heights Tower Park'' Google Maps (accessed 27 December 2018)]</ref> * Rock Island Trail

==Communities== ===Cities=== * Chillicothe * Elmwood * Farmington (mostly in Fulton County) * Pekin (mostly in Tazewell County) * Peoria (seat) * West Peoria

===Villages=== {{div col|colwidth=15em}} * Bartonville * Bellevue * Brimfield * Dunlap * Glasford * Hanna City * Kingston Mines * Mapleton * Norwood * Peoria Heights (partially in Tazewell County and Woodford County) * Princeville {{div col end}}

===Census-designated places=== * Lake Camelot * Mossville * Rome * Smithville * Trivoli

===Unincorporated communities=== {{div col|colwidth=15em}} * Edelstein * Edwards * Kickapoo * Laura * Mossville {{div col end}}

===Townships=== The cities of Peoria and West Peoria are considered independent from all of the townships within this county. {{div col|colwidth=15em}} * Akron * Brimfield * Chillicothe * Elmwood * Hallock * Hollis * Jubilee * Kickapoo * Limestone * Logan * Medina * Millbrook * Princeville * Radnor * Richwoods * Rosefield * Timber * Trivoli * West Peoria (former, now defunct and majority part of West Peoria and south segment ceded to Limestone Township) {{div col end}}

===School districts=== {{Further|List of school districts in Illinois#Peoria County}}

==Notable residents== {{See also|List of people from Peoria, Illinois}} People from Peoria County other than in the city of Peoria: * Chris Brackett, host of ''Arrow Affliction'' on The Sportsman Channel * Mike Dunne, pitcher for several Major League Baseball teams * Mary Emma Holmes (1839-1937), reformer, suffragist, and educator * Bill Krieg, Major League Baseball player * Lance (Henry) LeGault, TV and movie actor: Colonel Roderick Decker on ''The A-Team'' * Zach McAllister, Major League Baseball player: Cleveland Indians pitcher * Johnston McCulley, pulp fiction author: creator of Zorro * Richard Pryor, Actor, Comedian * David Ogden Stiers, actor, Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on ''M*A*S*H'' * Josh Taylor, TV actor: Chris Kostichek on the soap opera ''Days of Our Lives'' * Jim Thome, first baseman for several Major League Baseball teams

==Government== Peoria County is governed by an 18-member County Board which meets on the second Thursday of each month. Each member represents a district with roughly 10,000 residents.<ref>{{Cite web |title=County Board {{!}} Peoria County, IL |url=https://www.peoriacounty.org/524/County-Board |access-date=October 8, 2019 |website=www.peoriacounty.org}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" ! District !! Board Member !! Residence !! In office since !! Party |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |1 || Sharon K. Williams || Peoria || 2012 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |2 || Camille Coates || Peoria || 2022 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |3 || Betty Duncan || Peoria || 2020 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |4 || Brandy Bryant || Peoria || 2019 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |5 || James C. Dillon (Chair) || West Peoria || 2006 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |6 || Dr. Eden Blair || Peoria || 2019 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |7 || Phillip Salzer || Peoria || unknown || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Republican}} |8 || Nathan Hoerr || Peoria || 2022 || Republican |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |9 || Danny Phelan || Peoria Heights || 2022 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |10 || Rob Reneau || Peoria || 2018 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Republican}} |11 || Linda E. Daley || Peoria || 2019 || Republican |- {{Party shading/Republican}} |12 || Daniel Kelch || Edwards || 2022 || Republican |- {{Party shading/Republican}} |13 || Terry Ruthland || Chillicothe || 2022 || Republican |- {{Party shading/Republican}} |14 || Brian Elsasser || Princeville || 1998 || Republican |- {{Party shading/Republican}} |15 || Steven B. Rieker || Peoria || 2016 || Republican |- {{Party shading/Republican}} |16 || Matt Windish || Brimfield || 2018 || Republican |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |17 || Jennifer Groves Allison || Peoria || 2019 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Republican}} |18 || Paul Rosenbohm || Peoria || 2010 || Republican |}

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

{| class="wikitable sortable" ! Office !! Current Holder !! In office since !! Party |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Auditor || Jessica Thomas || 2018 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Circuit Clerk || Bobby Spears || 2002 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Coroner || Jamie Harwood || 2016 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |County Clerk || Rachael Parker || 2019 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Republican}} |Sheriff || Chris Watkins || 2022 || Republican |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |State's Attorney || Jodi Hoos || 2019 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Regional Superintendent || Elizabeth Crider || 2014 || Democratic |- {{Party shading/Republican}} |Treasurer || Nicole Bjerke || 2017 || Republican |}

==Politics== {{PresHead|place=Peoria County, Illinois|source=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 17, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}  {{PresRow|1892|Democratic|7,266|8,053|605|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1896|Republican|10,486|9,068|344|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1900|Republican|10,700|9,433|514|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1904|Republican|11,868|5,697|1,570|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1908|Republican|10,828|8,898|909|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1912|Republican|9,229|8,364|4,427|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|18,615|18,718|1,145|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|24,541|9,453|3,188|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|25,243|6,343|11,526|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|31,024|23,150|739|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|25,166|37,605|945|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|25,425|48,063|1,377|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1940|Democratic|34,911|42,009|301|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1944|Republican|34,171|32,837|243|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1948|Republican|35,018|31,026|308|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|49,245|33,955|139|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|50,888|30,145|108|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|45,529|39,061|86|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1964|Democratic|33,327|47,360|0|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|37,021|30,937|6,147|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|50,324|27,264|444|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1976|Republican|46,526|34,606|991|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|47,815|28,276|7,419|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|45,607|36,830|462|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|37,605|35,253|372|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1992|Democratic|30,718|38,099|12,511|Illinois}} {{PresRow|1996|Democratic|30,990|37,383|5,729|Illinois}} {{PresRow|2000|Democratic|36,398|38,604|1,810|Illinois}} {{PresRow|2004|Democratic|41,051|41,121|599|Illinois}} {{PresRow|2008|Democratic|34,579|45,906|1,219|Illinois}} {{PresRow|2012|Democratic|36,774|40,209|1,428|Illinois}} {{PresRow|2016|Democratic|35,633|38,060|5,409|Illinois}} {{PresRow|2020|Democratic|38,252|43,578|2,143|Illinois}} {{PresRow|2024|Democratic|36,896|40,564|2,262|Illinois}} {{PresFoot}}

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

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

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

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

Secondary school districts include:<ref name=SDMap2020/> * Limestone Community High School District 310

Elementary school districts include:<ref name=SDMap2020/> * Bartonville School District 66 * Hollis Consolidated School District 328 * Limestone Walters Community Consolidated School District 316 * Monroe School District 70 * Norwood Elementary School District 63 * Oak Grove School District 68 * Pleasant Hill School District 69 * Pleasant Valley School District 62

==See also== {{portal|Illinois}} * National Register of Historic Places listings in Peoria County, Illinois

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{commons category}} * {{official website}}

{{Geographic Location |Centre = Peoria County, Illinois |North = Stark County |Northeast = Marshall County |East = Woodford County |South = Tazewell County |Southwest = Fulton County |Northwest = Knox County }} {{Peoria County, Illinois}} {{Illinois}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Peoria County, Illinois Category:1825 establishments in Illinois Category:Illinois counties Category:Illinois placenames of Native American origin Category:Peoria metropolitan area Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1825