Illinois

Peoria

181,830
2020 population
1840
first census record
19
census records

About Peoria

Peoria, Illinois, first appears in the United States federal census in 1840, when it recorded a population of 6,153. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 181,830.

Its recorded population peaked at 200,466 in 1980, and has since declined by roughly 9 percent.

On the ground today, 2 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Peoria (1812), Peoria Lake Battle (Potawatomi and Illinois), and 36 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020181,830
2010186,494
2000183,433
1990182,827
1980200,466
1970195,318
1960189,044
1950174,347
1940153,374
1930141,344
1920111,710
1910100,255
190088,608
189070,378
188055,355
187047,540
186036,601
185017,547
18406,153
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Peoria

Military engagements that took place in Peoria, Illinois.

Battle of Peoria (1812)
1812
Peoria Lake Battle (Potawatomi and Illinois)
1812

Historic places in Peoria

National Register of Historic Places listings in Peoria, Illinois.

Pleasant Grove School
Eden
Peoria State Hospital
Bartonville
Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall
Peoria
Jubilee College
Kickapoo
North Side Historic District
Peoria
U.S. Post Office and Courthouse
Peoria
Pioneers, The
Elmwood
Proctor, John C., Recreation Center
Peoria
Gale, Judge Jacob, House
Peoria
Peoria Mineral Springs
Peoria
Peoria Waterworks
Peoria
Pere Marquette Hotel
Peoria
West Bluff Historic District
Peoria
Central National Park Building
Peoria
Christ Church of Lower Kickapoo
Norwood Park
Madison Theatre
Peoria
International Harvester Building
Peoria
Rock Island Depot and Freight House
Peoria
Peoria City Hall
Peoria
Illinois Waterway Project Office
Peoria
Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Peoria
Springdale Cemetery
Peoria
YWCA Building
Peoria
Kickapoo Building
Peoria
Browse all Illinoishistoric sites ›

Other counties in Illinois

Explore census history and historic records for more Illinois counties.

WashingtonWayneWhiteWhitesideWillWilliamsonWinnebagoWoodfordAdamsAlexanderBondBooneBrownBureauCalhounCarrollCassChampaignChristianClark
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Peoria County, Illinois

This page charts the census history of Peoria County, Illinois. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Peoria County, Illinois report
Or see a real report first

Explore Illinois records

Illinoishistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Illinois›

Frequently asked about Peoria

When does Peoria first appear in the US census?
Peoria, Illinois first appears in the federal census in 1840, with a recorded population of 6,153.
What is the population of Peoria?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Peoria had a recorded population of 181,830.
When did Peoria's population peak?
Peoria's recorded population peaked at 200,466 in 1980.
Were any battles fought in Peoria?
2 documented military engagements took place in Peoria, including Battle of Peoria (1812), Peoria Lake Battle (Potawatomi and Illinois).
How many historic places are in Peoria?
36 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Peoria, Illinois.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report