Population181,830 (2020 Census)
River City Energy Meets Wooded Country Roads
Peoria County, IllinoisPeoria anchors the county along the Illinois River, while communities and creek valleys extend westward. The county combines an urban center with a broad surrounding rural landscape. This guide brings together a starting point for county information, public services and local connections. Begin with Peoria, then use the resource links to plan the details of a visit or an everyday errand. Check directly with each provider for current hours, access and service availability before setting out.
Peoria County at a Glance
Population181,830 (2020 Census)
County SeatPeoria
Largest MunicipalityPeoria
Established1825
ZIP Codes47 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county (checked October 4, 2026)
Total Area630.6 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesInterstate 74; Interstate 474; U.S. Route 24; U.S. Route 150; Illinois Route 6
Area Codes309 / 861 (common local area codes)
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Geiger True Value Hardware, His Little Children Childcare Center, Jim Maloof Realtor, Wendy's Eyeglass Shack for hardware and home projects, childcare, real estate services, eyewear.
Discover Peoria County
Peoria County
The county was formed from Fulton County in 1825. Its name comes from the Peoria people, part of the Indigenous history of the Illinois River region. Today, Peoria remains the county seat, while Peoria is its largest municipality. The 2020 Census counted 181,830 residents across the county. Its towns and surrounding countryside offer different ways to understand the same place: through public buildings, transportation routes and the communities that connect them. Local records and historical collections provide a starting point for exploring how those connections changed over time.
Life in Peoria County extends beyond a single town center. Illinois River city and countryside are part of the local setting, alongside the routine needs of households, schools and businesses. Use county offices for the services they administer and contact municipal or township offices when a question concerns a specific address. Planning around the actual destination helps make visits, appointments and local errands more practical, especially when travel crosses town or county boundaries.
What Shapes Us
Local Heritage
Established in 1825, Peoria County has a history recorded in its communities and public institutions. Start with local collections to explore specific people, buildings and events.
Landscape and Connections
Illinois River city and countryside help distinguish Peoria County. Its county seat, Peoria, provides a useful starting point for understanding how nearby communities connect across the area.
Everyday Community
County and local offices connect residents with practical services. Follow the linked providers for details specific to your destination, address and purpose in Peoria County.
Explore the towns, follow the stories, make local connections.
A Look Around
Scenes from Peoria County
Places and details that tell a local story.
Peoria Journal Star
These 8 places in Peoria County had perfect September food inspections
Read the full story at Peoria Journal Star.
Read the Story Oct 18, 2026 • Local news
Around Peoria County
Stories from every corner of Peoria County.
These 8 places in Peoria County had perfect September food inspections
Read the full story at Peoria Journal Star.
Oct 18, 2026 • Local news
Fire damages Peoria County home, displacing six residents
Read the full story at CIProud.com.
Oct 16, 2026 • Local news
Peoria County ZBA recommends denial of Four Creeks Wind Project
Read the full story at CIProud.com.
Oct 15, 2026 • Local news
Peoria County zoning board opposes $1.5 billion wind farm plan
Read the full story at Peoria Journal Star.
Oct 14, 2026 • Local news
Peoria County zoning board recommends wind farm denial, forwards application with possible conditions
Read the full story at WCBU Peoria.
Oct 14, 2026 • Local news
Keep These Businesses in Mind
Start with a Direct Conversation
Contact Geiger True Value Hardware, His Little Children Childcare Center, Jim Maloof Realtor, Wendy's Eyeglass Shack directly to ask about current options, availability and the services you need.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the responsible public agency or service provider. Statewide links are labeled so you can locate the office that serves your address.
Government
County & Local Resources
Supervisor of Assessments
Property assessments, exemptions and assessment office information.
Phone (309) 672-6910
Schools
County & Local Resources
Hospitals and Health
County & Local Resources
Carle Health Pekin Hospital
Regional option in Tazewell County
Address 600 SOUTH 13TH STREET, Pekin
Phone (309) 347-1151
Hopedale Hospital
Regional option in Tazewell County
Address 107 TREMONT STREET, Hopedale
Phone (309) 449-3321
St Mary Medical Center
Regional option in Knox County
Address 3333 NORTH SEMINARY, Galesburg
Phone (309) 344-3161
Public Safety
County & Local Resources
Illinois State Police
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Emergency Services
County & Local Resources
Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
National Weather Service
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
State Parks
County & Local Resources
Jubilee College State Park
Brimfield, Peoria County. Check facilities and access notices.
Rock Island Trail State Park
Wyoming — regional option in Stark County. Check facilities and access notices.
Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area
Lacon — regional option in Marshall County. Check facilities and access notices.
Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area
Victoria — regional option in Knox County. Check facilities and access notices.
Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
Canton — regional option in Fulton County. Check facilities and access notices.
Trails
County & Local Resources
Forest Park Nature Center
Peoria, Peoria County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Grandview Drive – The "World's Most Beautiful Drive"
Peoria Heights, Peoria County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Jubilee College State Park
Brimfield, Peoria County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Utilities
County & Local Resources
Illinois Commerce Commission
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois 811 — JULIE
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois energy assistance
Find utility-bill assistance and the local administering agency.
Libraries
County & Local Resources
Alpha Park Public Library District
Address 3527 South Airport Road Bartonville , IL 61607-1799
Phone 309-697-3822
Brimfield Public Library District
Address 111 South Galena Avenue Post Office Box 207 Brimfield , IL 61517
Phone 309-446-9575
Chillicothe Public Library District
Address 430 North Bradley Avenue Chillicothe , IL 61523-1920
Phone 309-274-2719
Dunlap Public Library District
Address 302 South First Street Dunlap , IL 61525-9777
Phone 309-243-5716
Farmington Area Library District
Address 411 North Lightfoot Road Farmington , IL 61531-9601
Phone 309-245-2175
Courts
County & Local Resources
Illinois Courts
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Courts — Forms
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Court Help
Court-process information and help for people without an attorney.
DMV
County & Local Resources
Transportation
County & Local Resources
Illinois Department of Transportation
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Getting Around Illinois
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois public transportation
Find public transportation information and regional agencies.
IDOT transit programs
Transit program information, including rural and intercity services.
Amtrak Illinois services
Find Illinois intercity rail routes and stations; some counties require travel to a regional station.
Postal Services
County & Local Resources
USPS Location Finder
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
USPS ZIP Code Lookup
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
USPS Informed Delivery
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Veterans
County & Local Resources
Harold A Fritz Veterans Assistance Commission
Official Peoria County office information.
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
VA Facility Locator
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Veterans Crisis Line
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Employment
County & Local Resources
IllinoisJobLink — official job-seeker help
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Department of Employment Security
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois workNet
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Work for Illinois
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
A Useful Starting Point
County facts and practical links for everyday questions.
Questions and Answers
Get to Know Peoria County
Find background and service information below, then follow the provider links for current details.
Peoria is the county seat. Peoria County Government provides county office information; check the office destination before traveling.
Peoria is the largest municipality listed in the county reference. Countywide statistics include other communities and unincorporated areas as well.
The 2020 Census counted 181,830 residents. This is a decennial count, not a current-year population estimate.
Peoria County was established in 1825. The county was formed from Fulton County in 1825. Its name comes from the Peoria people, part of the Indigenous history of the Illinois River region.
The county covers approximately 630.6 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography). This total includes both land and water, rather than land area alone.
Peoria anchors the county along the Illinois River, while communities and creek valleys extend westward. The county combines an urban center with a broad surrounding rural landscape.
Forest Park Nature Center is in Peoria, Peoria County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup with the full street address. A county boundary does not define a single postal delivery area.
Rock Island Greenway is in Peoria, Peoria County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Luthy Botanical Gardens is in Peoria, Peoria County. Basic access is the free activity; extras may carry charges. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Begin with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to locate the appropriate service office, or the VA facility locator for federal facilities.
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Geiger True Value Hardware, His Little Children Childcare Center, Jim Maloof Realtor, Wendy's Eyeglass Shack for hardware and home projects, childcare, real estate services, eyewear.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Explore Local PlacesPlan your next stop around current information from each place.
Kids’ Fun
- Forest Park Nature Center — Peoria, Peoria County
- Peoria Playhouse Children's Museum — Peoria, Peoria County
- Peoria Zoo — Peoria, Peoria County
Restaurants
- Hickory River Smokehouse — Peoria, Peoria County
- Lariat Steakhouse — Peoria, Peoria County
- The Fox Pub & Cafe — Peoria, Peoria County
Shopping & Retail
- Blue Boutique- Peoria — Peoria, Peoria County
- Shoppes at Grand Prairie — Peoria, Peoria County
- Sarah Beth’s Homemade Dips LLC — Hanna City, Peoria County
Clothing & Boutiques
- Blue Boutique- Peoria — Peoria, Peoria County
- Ada Laine Boutique — Princeville, Peoria County
- Running Central — Peoria, Peoria County
Outdoor Fun
- Rock Island Greenway — Peoria, Peoria County
- Bicycle Safety Town — Peoria, Peoria County
- Northmoor Observatory — Peoria, Peoria County
Free Things To Do
- Luthy Botanical Gardens — Peoria, Peoria County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Jubilee College State Park — Brimfield, Peoria County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Rock Island Trail State Park — Wyoming — regional option in Stark County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
Make Time for Local DiscoveriesChoose Your Next Stop