Post on 13-Oct-2020
1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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).
5
(U.S. Census Bureau, 2010)
Male Female
53,471 59,465
Poplulation- Gender: 2006-2008
6
(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
7
(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
8
(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
9
(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
10
(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
11
(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
12
(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
13
(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
14
(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
15
(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
16
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
17
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
18
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.
19
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.
20
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].
21
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].