peoria, illinois

Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 112,936. The city of Peoria is home to Bradley University and the world headquarters for Caterpillar Inc. It features a federal courthouse, several thousand acres of parks, and three hospitals. Peoria has become famous as a representation of the average American city, because of its demographics and its preceived mainstream Midwestern culture. On the Vaudeville circuit, it was said that if an act would succeed in Peoria, it would work anywhere. The question "Will it play in Peoria?" has now become a metaphor for whether something appeals to the American mainstream public, and Peoria is often used as a test market for new products.

Geography

Peoria is located at 40°43'15" North, 89°36'34" West (40.720737, -89.609421). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 120.8 km² (46.6 mi²). 115.0 km² (44.4 mi²) of it is land and 5.8 km² (2.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.78% water. Peoria is bounded on the east by the Illinois River except for the enclave of Peoria Heights. Four bridges run directly between the city and neigboring East Peoria. On the south end of Peoria's western border are Bartonville and the newly established city of West Peoria. Local municipal plans indicate that the city intends to continue its expansion northwest, into an area unofficially considered part of Dunlap, Illinois.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 112,936 people, 45,199 households, and 27,345 families residing in the city. The population density is 982.1/km² (2,543.4/mi²). There are 49,125 housing units at an average density of 427.2/km² (1,106.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 69.29% White, 24.79% African American, 0.20% Native American, 2.33% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 2.16% from two or more races. 2.51% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 45,199 households out of which 29.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% are married couples living together, 15.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% are non-families. 33.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.38 and the average family size is 3.04. In the city the population is spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.0 males. The median income for a household in the city is $17,397, and the median income for a family is $20,882. Males have a median income of $19,879 versus $15,642 for females. The per capita income for the city is $12,512. 34.8% of the population and 26.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 41.5% of those under the age of 18 and 8.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Famous connections to Peoria

People born or raised Peorian

Bill Ballance, radio host
Jack Brickhouse, announcer: voice of the Chicago Cubs
Dan Fogelberg, musician
Betty Friedan, feminist author
Robert G. Ingersoll, politician and orator
Jim Jordan and Marian Jordan, stars of Fibber McGee and Molly on radio
Shaun Livingston, basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers
Richard Pryor, comedian and actor
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, host of The Catholic Hour on radio and Life is Worth Living on television
Dan Simmons, author of the Hyperion Cantos and other novels
David Ogden Stiers, actor: Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on M*A*S*H
Jim Thome, first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies

Well-known companies

Caterpillar Inc., bulldozer and engine manufacturer

Other famous Peorians

Amy Weber, actress
Harry Harrison, "Morning Mayor of Peoria" on WPEO, disc jockey on several New York City radio stations
Sam Kinison, comedian and former preacher. Though associated with Peoria, Kinison probably actually grew up in East Peoria.
Mudvayne, nu metal music band
General John M. Shalikashvili, former of the

Joint Chiefs of Staff]

Famous events

1854-10-16 - Abraham Lincoln first publicized his stand that United States should move towards restricting and eventually eliminating slavery, a position directly against historic compromises such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The speech, which was possibly similar to one given in Springfield, Illinois 12 days earlier, followed the speech of Stephen A. Douglas, who Lincoln would later debate regularly in the Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858.
1967-04-03 - The trial of mass murderer Richard Speck begins at the Peoria County courthouse, after a change of venue from Chicago to insure a fair trial.
Theodore Roosevelt named Grand View Drive, a street on the bluffs overlooking the Illinois River "The world's most beautiful drive." A Peoria radio station and CBS television affilitate took its call letters -- WMBD -- from his favorable opinion.