Peoria County, Illinois Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 12th-largest in Illinois

The population of Peoria County, Illinois is 179,831 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 12th-largest county in Illinois. The median household income is $64,938, the median home value is $152,600, and the median age is 38.1.

The population of Peoria County has declined 3.5% since 2010 (186,224 → 179,630), a -0.26% annualized rate.

Peoria County within Illinois · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

179,831

Population

-0.26%

Annual growth

291

People / sq mi

$64,938

Median Income

$152,600

Median Home Value

Peoria County covers 619 sq mi of land at 290.7 people per square mile.

About Peoria County, IL

Educational attainment is the headline number in Peoria County: 34.5% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. Peoria County is a county in Illinois with a population of 179,831. It ranks #12 among counties in Illinois by population.

Household earnings are middling, with a median of $64,938 — below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 10.1%, below the national 12.4%. Median home value is $152,600, with typical rent around $946.

About 34.5% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, near the 35.0% national figure. About 10.0% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 19 minutes each way.

The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in Peoria County usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.

Peoria County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Peoria County had a population of 186,224 in 2010 and 179,630 in 2024, a -3.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 188,688 in 2013. Average annual growth rate: -0.25%.

Peoria County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

179,630

Population (2024)

186,224

Population (2010)

188,688

Peak (2013)

-0.25%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	186,224	-	-	estimate
2011	186,775	+551	+0.30%	estimate
2012	187,354	+579	+0.31%	estimate
2013	188,688	+1,334	+0.71%	estimate
2014	187,572	-1,116	-0.59%	estimate
2015	186,552	-1,020	-0.54%	estimate
2016	185,116	-1,436	-0.77%	estimate
2017	182,657	-2,459	-1.33%	estimate
2018	180,773	-1,884	-1.03%	estimate
2019	179,359	-1,414	-0.78%	estimate
2020	181,512	+2,153	+1.20%	estimate
2021	179,847	-1,665	-0.92%	estimate
2022	178,503	-1,344	-0.75%	estimate
2023	178,735	+232	+0.13%	estimate
2024	179,630	+895	+0.50%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	68.6%
Black or African American	17.5%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.0%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

38.1

Median Age

51.2%

Female

48.8%

Male

17.9%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

6.6%

5–9

7.2%

10–14

6.2%

15–19

6.6%

20–24

6.1%

25–34

13.2%

35–44

12.5%

45–54

11.5%

55–59

5.9%

60–64

6.3%

65–74

10.4%

75–84

5.2%

85+

2.3%

Children (under 15): 20.0% · Seniors (65+): 17.9%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$64,938$-16,764 vs state
Mean household income	$92,111
Per-capita income	$39,756
Poverty rate	10.1%+1.9% vs state
Unemployment rate	4.1%
Employment-to-population	58.0%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

30.6%

Manufacturing

14.5%

Finance & real estate

10.2%

Education & health care

9.0%

Construction

4.9%

Information

4.6%

Retail trade

4.5%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.4%

The largest employment sector in Peoria County is professional & business services, accounting for 30.6% of workers.

How residents commute

1.1%

Drive alone

1.9%

Carpool

77.8%

Public transit

10.0%

Work from home

18.9 min

Avg commute

Housing

$152,600$-97,900 vs state

Median home value

$946

Median rent

67.0%

Homeownership rate

84,992

Total housing units

90.7%

Occupied

9.3%

Vacant

33.0%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.0%

With health insurance

93.4%

With broadband internet

17.6%

Foreign-born

6.0%

Veterans (18+)

13.7%

With a disability

91.2%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

93.4%

High School+

34.5%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Illinois

Chicago (2,707,648)Aurora (179,867)Joliet (149,785)Naperville (149,424)Rockford (147,649)Elgin (114,106)Springfield (113,714)Peoria (112,126)Waukegan (88,919)Champaign (88,822)All Illinois cities →

Other counties in Illinois

Cook County (5,185,812)DuPage County (927,263)Lake County (711,885)Will County (698,450)Kane County (516,097)McHenry County (311,366)Winnebago County (283,289)Madison County (264,631)St. Clair County (254,777)Champaign County (206,098)All Illinois counties →

Part of Illinois

Illinois demographic profile All Illinois data →

Metro areas in Illinois

Chicago (9,359,555)St. Louis (2,809,414)Davenport (381,864)Peoria (365,773)Rockford (336,605)Champaign (236,196)Springfield (207,386)Bloomington (170,882)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Peoria County, Illinois has a population of 179,831 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 12th-largest county in Illinois. Population density is 291 people per square mile.

The population of Peoria County has declined 3.5% since 2010 (186,224 → 179,630), a -0.26% annualized rate.

The median household income in Peoria County, Illinois is $64,938, with mean (average) household income of $92,111 and per-capita income of $39,756. 10.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Peoria County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (68.6%), Black or African American (17.5%), Hispanic or Latino (1.0%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Peoria County, Illinois is 38.1 years. Residents are 51.2% female and 48.8% male.

The median home value in Peoria County is $152,600 and median monthly rent is $946. 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 84,992 total housing units, 9.3% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Peoria County, Illinois is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 30.6% of workers. The unemployment rate is 4.1%.

Chicago is among the largest cities associated with Peoria County, Illinois, with a population of 2,707,648.