RANK #18 / 996 · POP 181,186 · IL
PROJECTED GROWTH: +4.1%
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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| 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 has a Boom Town Index score of 98/100, ranking #18 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.4% and a median household income of $63,409, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Peoria County is $150,400 with median rent at $909/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4216, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.4%. Home values changed +8.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.84% of Peoria County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.