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Peoria

City Hall

419 Fulton Street, Suite 401

Peoria, IL 61602

Phone: (309)494-8565

Fax: (309)494-8574

Cayla Walsh

RPTA 235 Section 1

September 23, 2010

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Peoria, located in central Illinois, has been home to mankind dating all the way back to

10,000 B.C.E. Located on the Illinois River, archeologists have discovered burial mounds as

well as artifacts that show the Native American culture was quite popular. By 1650 the Illinois

Indians populated most of the area. Peoria was a major tribe amongst the Illinois Confederacy,

and this is where the name for the city was derived from. (Peoria.com, 2010). In 1830 the

Peoria tribe had many quarrels with its enemies and major issues with the Indian Removal Act.

Because of this, most of the tribes were forced to settle in Oklahoma as time went on. (Peoria

Historical Society, 2010).

In 1673 Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet were the asked by the French governor to

explore the Mississippi valley and claim the area as French territory. This was where they met

up with the Peoria Indians after having explored over 2,750 miles by canoe and foot. A state

park is now named after Marquette and the town of Joliet Illinois is named after Joliet. (Peoria

Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2010). A few years later in 1680, Robert Cavalier Sieur

de LaSalle and Henri de Tonti built Fort Crevecoeur on the east bank of the Illinois. Tonti then

partnered up with Francois Daupin de LaForest and built Fort St. Louis, also known as Fort

Pimiteoui, located at the foot of Mary and Adams Street. Established by Jesuit missionaries, a

village was formed around the fort declaring the first European settlement in Illinois. The village

included trading posts, a blacksmith shop, a chapel, a winepress, and a windmill. (Peoria

Historical Society).

In 1778, what is currently known as downtown Peoria, the new village was formed. Jean

Baptiste Maillet was in charge of the old Village and moved 1.5 miles south of there to build the

new village. The new village consisted of log houses, barns, and farmland, as well as all the

essential businesses that the old village consisted of. During the War of 1812 the Americans

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were fearful that the French villagers were supporting Indian alliances with western pioneers. In

October of that year the Americans killed the residents of Chief Black Partridge’s village. Later

they burned French Peoria down to nothing, took the villagers captive, and sent them down the

river. An act of the United States Congress was later implemented and the villagers were

compensated for their losses during this event. (Peoria Historical Society).

Another historical fact that makes Peoria quite unique is that Abraham Lincoln and

Stephen A. Douglas gave many speeches together on the Peoria courthouse steps. Many of these

speeches were in regards to slavery, an issue that the town was quite divided on. One famous

speech that Lincoln gave here was three hours long and discussed his opinions regarding the

principles of self-government and liberty for all American citizens. It is said this speech is to

have established a foundation for his running six years later as president. (Peoria Historical

Society).

Economically, Peoria Illinois is a thriving city and growing daily. In July 2010 the

workforce was at 205,849, which is down from 208,007 as of one year ago in July 2009. The

unemployment rate increased from 181,370 in July 2009 to 184,332 in July 2010. The

unemployment rate was also decreased from 26,637 in July 2009 to 21,517 in July 2010. As of

2005 the business that employs the most people in Peoria is Caterpillar Inc. employing almost

18,000 people. Next is OSF St. Francis Medical Center with about 4,000. OSF is also one of the

largest Catholic hospitals in the nation. The third biggest employer is employing almost 3,000 is

the School District 150, and last is the Methodist Medical Center with about 2,600 employees.

(Peoria Economy, 2010). Another large revenue source for Peoria is Bradley University. This

private school is home to 6,000 students throughout the year, and offers more than 100

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undergraduate degrees making Bradley University in Peoria Illinois an ideal place for students to

mix the big and small town feeling together for college life.

Due to Peoria being located in the Midwest, this city is ideal for agriculture. With corn

and soybeans being the primary crops grown, Peoria is an ideal livestock and grain exporter.

The agriculture industry plays a very big role and is responsible for employing much of the

population. The National Center for Agriculture Research is operated in Peoria Illinois by the

United States Department of Agriculture and conducts research on testing soil and chemical

development. They have joined with other research programs to expand the use of patents into

the private sector. This ultimately adds to the economy of Peoria and helps provide more for the

community members. (Peoria Economy).

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(U.S. Census Bureau, 2010)

Male Female

53,471 59,465

Poplulation- Gender: 2006-2008

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(U.S. Census Bureau)

8,366 8,408

7,777

8,573

9,481

15,578 15,184

14,362

5,090

4,084 7,688 6,052

2,293

Population- Age: 2006-2008

Under 5 years

5 to 9

10 to 14

15 to 19

20 to 24

25 to 34

35 to 44

45 to 54

55 to 59

60 to 64

65 to 74

75 to 84

85 and over

Age

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(U.S. Census Bureau)

88,154

28,508

41,553

1,736

6,685 9,627

Population- Marital Status: 2006-2008

15 Years and over

Never married

Now married, except separated

Separated

Widowed

Divorced

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(U.S. Census Bureau)

4,376 7,725

18,055

15,611

4,809

12,393

7,319

Population- Level of Education 25 years and

over (total: 70,288): 2006-2008

Less than 9th grade

9th to 12th grade, no diploma

High school graduate (includes equivalency)

Some college, no degree

Associates degree

Bachelor's degree

Graduate or professional degree

Marital Status

Marital Status

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(U.S. Census Bureau)

49,878

19,104

8,845

13,175 30

2,837 5,887

Population- Occupation: 2006-2008

Civilian employed population 16 years and over

Management, professional, and related occupations

Service occupations

Sales and office occupations

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations

Construction, extraction, maintenance and repair occupations

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations

Occupations

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(U.S. Census Bureau)

45,094

5,804 3,565 6,567

5,814

6,947

6,947

3,937 2,855

667

890

Population- Income and Benefits (in 1999)

Total households

Less than $10,000

$10,000 to $14,999

$15,000 to $24,999

$25,000 to $34,999

$35,000 to $49,999

$50,000 to $74,999

$75,000 to $99,999

$100,000 to $149,999

$150,000 to $199,999

$200,000 or more

Income and Benefits

Median household income: $36,397

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(U.S. Census Bureau)

78,254

27,992

229

2,629

42 1,355

2,435

110,501

Population- Race (one single race):

2006-2008

White

Black or African American

American Indian and Alaska Native

Asian

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander

Some other race

Two or more races

One race

Race

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(U.S. Census Bureau)

982

544

244

90

184

341 244

Polulation- Asian race: 2006-2008

Asian Indian

Chinese

Filipino

Japanese

Korean

Vietnamese

Other Asian

Asian race

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(U.S. Census Bureau)

80,323

29,553

717

2,984 107

1,847

Population- Race: 2006-2008

White

Black or African American

American Indian and Alaska Native

Asian

Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander

Some other race

Race

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(U.S. Census Bureau)

112,936

2,839

1,974

221

77

567

110,097

Population- Hispanic or Latino of any race:

2006-2008

Total

Hispanic or Latino of any race Mexican

Puerto rican

Cuban

Other Hispanic or Lation Not Hispanic or Lation

Hispanic or Latino of any race

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(The Association of Religion Data Archives, 2010)

22,097

26,274

555

35,462

5,057

93,988

Religious Affiliation for Peoria County

(2000)

Egangelical Protestant

Mainline Protestant

Orthodox

Catholic

Other

Unclaimed

Religious Affiliations

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In 2000 there were 29,566 people with disabilities ages five and up in Peoria County

(Center for Personal Assistance Services, 2010)

(U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, 2010)

10,128,000

1,051,000

262,000

155,000 265,000

654,000

430,000

188,000

319,000

9,077,000

Disability Demographics for State of Illinois

2008-2009

Total:

Any type of Disability

Hearing

Vision

Cognitive

Mobility

Daily Activity Limitation

Self-care activities

Routine activities

No reported disability

Disability

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The demographics of Peoria Illinois cover many different areas. The different races in

the city of Peoria consist of about 65% white, 25% black, 4% only Asian, 4% Hispanic, and 3%

are two or more races. Regarding the education of the community 25 years of age and older,

83% of people have completed high school or higher, 28% have received a bachelor’s degree or

higher, and 10% have completed a graduate or professional degree. The marital status consists

of 32% have never been married, 47% are now married, 2% are separated, 8% are widowed, and

11% are divorced. The estimated median household income for a family living in Peoria Illinois

was $44,446 in 2008, while the estimated median house or condo value was $124,600.

Unfortunately, Peoria has a higher unemployment rate than the state of Illinois as of April 2010.

Peoria’s rate was about 12% while the state of Illinois was 11%. Whiskeytown, Peoria’s

nickname, had an average crime rate of 438.5 in 2008. These crimes consisted of murders,

rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, and arson.

This community also has 290 full-time law enforcement employees which include police

officers in 2008. While there are many different career opportunities for the members of this

community to peruse, the most common industry worked in among males is machinery service at

13%, professional, scientific, and technical services; construction work; and accommodation and

food services at 7%, educational services comes in fifth at 6% health care at 5%, and last but not

least, public administration at 4%. While machinery services may be the top career choice for

males, for females that is the healthcare field at 19%. Next is educational services at 14%,

accommodation and food services at 9%, professional, scientific, and technical services;

machinery; finance and insurance are at 5%, and social assistance comes in last at 4%.

Peoria also makes it very easy for one to grow up and live there for the rest of their life.

There are many different hospitals, educational districts, universities and colleges, as well as

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career openings. All of these places are distributed throughout the city allowing for young adults

to branch out into their community yet still be able to raise a family the same place they were

raised. Another demographic that makes Peoria unique is that the average household size is 2

people with about 61% owning a home and 5% living there with unmarried partners. Of the

home owning residents in the city, the most common used heating fuel is utility gas at 77%,

electricity 22%, and bottled, tank, or LP gas at 1%. In the last presidential election in 2998

between Obama and McCain, 43% voted for McCain and 57% voted for Obama. The election

prior to that in 2004 was split evenly 50/50% between Kerry/Edwards and Bush/Cheney. There

was about 49% of the population of Peoria affiliated with a religious congregation in 2002.

About 11% of the population attends the United Methodist Church, 7% attend Evangelical

Lutheran Church in America, 40% attend the Catholic Church, 6% attend the Lutheran Church,

and 38% attend another type of congregation. (City-Data.com (2), 2010).

There are many important businesses and industries that allow Peoria Illinois to run at its

finest. Caterpillar Inc. is one of the most popular industries that also employ many community

members. Other major businesses included in this area include the many different hospitals in

Peoria. St. Francis Medical Center, Methodist Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital of

Illinois are a few that help aid the community when disaster strikes. The education and school

systems also contribute largely to this city. Bradley University and Illinois Central College are

two of the popular education institutes in the area as well as the numerous elementary, middle,

and high school districts. (City-Data.com, 2010).

Not only do many big industries call Peoria home, Peoria is also well known for its park

district and the many other recreational activities that are offered. This historic park district

holds acreage in the City of Peoria, West Peoria, Peoria Heights, and other nearby townships.

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Holding the title of the first park district to be formed in Illinois in 1894, there are many different

activities offered to provide for a wide array of community members. There is everything

offered from sports, to visual arts, to fishing, and camps held for all ages. (Peoria Park District,

2010). Another popular attraction that Peoria holds in regards toward park districts is Wildlife

Prairie State Park. This park is home to over 150 animals and allows for their guests to walk

through the natural habitat in which these animals are living. It also provides an educational

center that teaches its guests about the natives that founded the land we now call Peoria Illinois.

(Wildlife Prairie State Park, 2010). Another popular activity not only for tourists coming to visit

Peoria, but for the local residents as well is shopping. There are several shopping areas including

an outdoor mall, a two story indoor mall, strip mall, as well as many other stores located

throughout the town. Anything from electronics to wedding apparel can be found in this town.

(Peoria Malls, 2010).

Peoria Illinois has much to offer as a community and is well known for its park district.

This growing city has much to offer its community members and welcomes new residents every

day. With the wide array of recreation and leisure this town has to offer, there is something for

every type of community member. This Midwestern city offers the luxury of living in a large

town with everything nearby as well as the quaint neighborhoods that give the feel of small town

charm. Peoria offers many education facilities, career choices, recreation and leisure options, as

well as lifestyle options. Peoria Illinois is sure to please every resident, as it has something to

offer everyone.

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Sources

The Association of Religion Data Archives. (2010). County Membership Report, Peoria

County, Illinois. Available:

http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/counties/17143_2000.asp [2010, September 13].

Center for Personal Assistance Services. (2010). Disability prevalence in Illinois.

Available:

http://www.pascenter.org/state_based_stats/disability_prevalence.php?title=Disability%20preval

ence%20data&state=illinois [17, September 2010].

City-Data.com. (2009). Peoria Economy. Available: http://www.city-data.com/us-

cities/The-Midwest/Peoria-Economy.html [17, September 2010].

City-Data.com (2). (2010). Peoria, Illinois. Available: http://www.city-

data.com/city/Peoria-Illinois.html [2010, 19 September].

City of Peoria Illinois. (2010). Contact the City Clerk. Available:

http://www.ci.peoria.il.us/contact-the-city-clerk [2010, September 05].

Peoria.com. (2010). Peoria Illinois History. Available:

http://www.peoria.com/community/history.php [2010, September 05].

Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. (2010). Peoria Area History and Trivia.

Available: http://www.peoria.org/about-us/history/ [2010, September 05].

Peoria Economy. (2010). City-data.com. Available: http://www.city-data.com/us-

cities/The-Midwest/Peoria-Economy.html [2010, October 08].

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Peoria Historical Society. (2010). Peoria Illinois; Peoria History. Available:

http://www.peoriahistoricalsociety.org/peoria.html [2010, September 09].

Peoria Malls. (2010). Malls in Peoria Illinois. Available:

http://maps.google.com/maps?rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-

8&rlz=1I7TSHB_enUS337&um=1&ie=UTF-

8&q=malls+in+peoria+illinois&fb=1&gl=us&hq=malls&hnear=Peoria,+IL&view=text&ei=K8

mvTMTgFoSkngfX6ISDBg&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=more-

results&resnum=1&ved=0CDAQtQMwAA [2010, October 08].

Peoria Park District. (2010). Overview and Mission Statement. Available:

http://www.peoriaparks.org/overview [18, September 2010].

The Peoria Riverfront. (2005). Available:

http://www.peoriariverfront.com/index.php?section=1 [2010, September 16].

U.S. Census Bureau. (2010). Peoria County, Illinois Fact Sheet. Available:

http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=05000US17143&-

qr_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_DP3YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-

_sse=on [2010, September 12].

U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts. (2010). State and County QuickFacts: Peoria County,

Illinois. Available: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/17143.html [21, September 2010].

Wildlife Prairie State Park. (2010). Available: http://www.wildlifeprairiestatepark.org/

[18, September 2010].