Peoria County, Illinois Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Peoria County is located in Illinois with a total population of 179,831. It is the 12th most populous county out of 102 in Illinois. The county encompasses 2 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Peoria County is 38.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Peoria County is $64,938. This is 21% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 17% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.4%. This is 32% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $152,600. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Peoria County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Peoria County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.8%) is well below the state average of 18.5%.

Education

34.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% lower 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 93.3%.