Editing Peoria County, Illinois

{{Short description|County in Illinois, United States}}
{{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<!--(to be) adopted November 10, 2022-->
| 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    = 2023
| population_est   = 177513 {{loss}}
| density_sq_mi    = auto
| web     = www.peoriacounty.gov
| district         = 16th
| district2        = 17th
| time zone        = Central
| named for        = [[Peoria people|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, Illinois|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, Illinois|Fulton County]]. It was named for the [[Peoria people|Peoria]], an [[Illiniwek]] people who lived there. It included most of the western valley of the Illinois River up to the Chicago river portage.

=== Gallery timeline ===
<gallery>
File:Peoria County Illinois 1825.png|Peoria County at creation, with unorganized territory attached to it.<ref name="CI">White, Jesse.  ''Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties.'' State of Illinois, March 2010.  [http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/ipub15.pdf]</ref>
File:Peoria County Illinois 1826.png|Peoria County 1826–1827. The newly created Mercer and Warren Counties were temporarily attached to Peoria.<ref name=CI/>
File:Peoria County Illinois 1827.png|Peoria County 1827–1830.  The creation of Tazewell County left Peoria with only a small tract of unorganized territory east of the Illinois River, whose border was not defined.
File:Peoria County Illinois 1830.png|In 1830, Warren County organized a government. 
File:Peoria County Illinois 1831.png|In 1831, Peoria County's present borders were established and Mercer County was attached to Warren.
</gallery>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|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/> 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, Illinois|Knox County]] – northwest
* [[Stark County, Illinois|Stark County]] – north
* [[Marshall County, Illinois|Marshall County]] – northeast
* [[Woodford County, Illinois|Woodford County]] – east
* [[Tazewell County, Illinois|Tazewell County]] – south
* [[Fulton County, Illinois|Fulton County]] – southwest
{{div col end}}

==Transportation==
===Transit===
* [[Greater Peoria Mass Transit District]]
* [[Burlington Trailways]]
* [[Peoria Charter Coach Company]]
* [[List of intercity bus stops in Illinois]]

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

===Defunct highways===
* [[Image:Illinois 174.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 174]]
* [[Image:Illinois 175.svg|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=2023
|estimate=177513
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html |access-date=April 2, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
|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><br/>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><br/>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/>
}}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 United States Census]], there were 181,830 people, including 73,253&nbsp;households. The population density was {{convert|301.2|PD/sqmi}}. There were 83,034 housing units at an average density of {{convert|134.1|/sqmi}}.<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 racial makeup of the county was 73.5% white alone, 18.8% black or African American alone, 4.1% Asian alone, 0.4% American Indian alone, .1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, 3.1% listed two or more races, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, and 69.4% were white and not of Hispanic or Latino origin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=QuickFacts Peoria County, Illinois |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/peoriacountyillinois/POP010220#POP010220 |website=US Census Bureau}}</ref> In terms of ancestry, per the 2010 US Census, 28.3% were [[Germans|German]], 14.8% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 10.4% were [[English people|English]], and 5.5% were [[Americans|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&nbsp;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]]
* [[Grandview Drive|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 State Park (Illinois)|Rock Island Trail]]

{{See also|Peoria, Illinois#Points of interest}}

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Chillicothe, Illinois|Chillicothe]]
* [[Elmwood, Illinois|Elmwood]]
* [[Farmington, Illinois|Farmington]]
* [[Pekin, Illinois|Pekin]]
* [[Peoria, Illinois|Peoria]] (seat)
* [[West Peoria, Illinois|West Peoria]]

===Villages===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Bartonville, Illinois|Bartonville]]
* [[Bellevue, Illinois|Bellevue]]
* [[Brimfield, Illinois|Brimfield]]
* [[Dunlap, Illinois|Dunlap]]
* [[Glasford, Illinois|Glasford]]
* [[Hanna City, Illinois|Hanna City]]
* [[Kingston Mines, Illinois|Kingston Mines]]
* [[Mapleton, Illinois|Mapleton]]
* [[Norwood, Illinois|Norwood]]
* [[Peoria Heights, Illinois|Peoria Heights]] 
* [[Princeville, Illinois|Princeville]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
* [[Lake Camelot, Illinois|Lake Camelot]]
* [[Mossville, Illinois|Mossville]]
* [[Rome, Illinois|Rome]]
* [[Smithville, Illinois|Smithville]]
* [[Trivoli, Illinois|Trivoli]]

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

===Townships===
The cities of [[Peoria, Illinois|Peoria]] and [[West Peoria, Illinois|West Peoria]] are considered independent from all of the townships within this county.
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Akron Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Akron]]
* [[Brimfield Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Brimfield]]
* [[Chillicothe Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Chillicothe]]
* [[Elmwood Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Elmwood]]
* [[Hallock Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Hallock]]
* [[Hollis Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Hollis]]
* [[Jubilee Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Jubilee]]
* [[Kickapoo Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Kickapoo]]
* [[Limestone Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Limestone]]
* [[Logan Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Logan]]
* [[Medina Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Medina]]
* [[Millbrook Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Millbrook]]
* [[Princeville Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Princeville]]
* [[Radnor Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Radnor]]
* [[Richwoods Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Richwoods]]
* [[Rosefield Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Rosefield]]
* [[Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Timber]]
* [[Trivoli Township, Peoria County, Illinois|Trivoli]]
* [[West Peoria Township, Peoria County, Illinois|West Peoria]] (former, now defunct and part of [[West Peoria, Illinois|West Peoria]])
{{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 (baseball)|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 LeGault|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 magazine|pulp fiction]] author: creator of [[Zorro]]
* [[Richard Pryor]], Actor, Comedian
* [[David Ogden Stiers]], actor, [[Major Charles Emerson Winchester III]] on ''[[M*A*S*H (TV series)|M*A*S*H]]''
* [[Josh Taylor (actor)|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 should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|36,896|40,564|2,262|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|38,252|43,578|2,143|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|35,633|38,060|5,409|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|36,774|40,209|1,428|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|34,579|45,906|1,219|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|41,051|41,121|599|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|36,398|38,604|1,810|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|30,990|37,383|5,729|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|30,718|38,099|12,511|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|37,605|35,253|372|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|45,607|36,830|462|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|47,815|28,276|7,419|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|46,526|34,606|991|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|50,324|27,264|444|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|37,021|30,937|6,147|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|33,327|47,360|0|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|45,529|39,061|86|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|50,888|30,145|108|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|49,245|33,955|139|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|35,018|31,026|308|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|34,171|32,837|243|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|34,911|42,009|301|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|25,425|48,063|1,377|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|25,166|37,605|945|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|31,024|23,150|739|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|25,243|6,343|11,526|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|24,541|9,453|3,188|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|18,615|18,718|1,145|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1912|Republican|9,229|8,364|4,427|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|10,828|8,898|909|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|11,868|5,697|1,570|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|10,700|9,433|514|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|10,486|9,068|344|Illinois}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Democratic|7,266|8,053|605|Illinois}}

Prior to 1992, Peoria County, like most of central Illinois, was powerfully [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]. Usually, it only voted for [[Democratic Party (United States)|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 (politician)|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.

==Education==
K-12 school districts include:<ref name=SDMap2020>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17143_peoria/DC20SD_C17143.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Peoria County, IL|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-10-30}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17143_peoria/DC20SD_C17143_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Brimfield Community Unit School District 309]]
* [[Dunlap Community Unit School District 323]]
* [[Elmwood Community Unit School District 322]]
* [[Farmington Central Community Unit School District 265]]
* [[Illini Bluffs Community Unit School District 327]]
* [[Illinois Valley Central Unit School District 321]]
* [[Peoria School District 150]]
* [[Peoria Heights Community Unit School District 325]]
* [[Princeville Community Unit School District 326]]
* [[Stark County Community Unit School District 100]]
* [[Williamsfield Community Unit School District 210]]

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 (Bartonville, Illinois)|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, Illinois|Stark County]]
|Northeast = [[Marshall County, Illinois|Marshall County]]
|East      = [[Woodford County, Illinois|Woodford County]]
|South     = [[Tazewell County, Illinois|Tazewell County]]
|Southwest = [[Fulton County, Illinois|Fulton County]]
|Northwest = [[Knox County, Illinois|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, Illinois]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1825]]