Peoria city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Peoria city is a major urban center located in Illinois, within Peoria County. The total population is 112,126. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Peoria city is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Peoria city is $58,716. This is 28% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 25% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.0%. This is 70% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 7.8%. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $149,500. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Peoria city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Peoria city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 25.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (25.8% vs 13.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (7.6%) is well below the state average of 18.5%.

Education

38.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.1%. Notably, 16.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Peoria city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. For official data, visit data.census.gov.