Here & There – Peoria, IL

Peoria, IL

Located on the banks of the Illinois River, Peoria is the world headquarters for Caterpillar and Maui Jim Sunglasses. Grandview Drive, which Theodore Roosevelt purportedly called the “world’s most beautiful drive” during a 1910 visit, follows along the bluffs of the Illinois River offering views of the downtown area.

Peoria’s downtown is home to the Peoria Civic Center and Dozer Park, as well as arts, dining, and entertainment near the riverfront. The Block is a $100+ million project that contains the Peoria Riverfront Museum and The Caterpillar Experience, a museum and visitor’s center showcasing Caterpillar past, present, and future.

The Peoria Park District is the first and largest park district in Illinois with 9,000 acres, including the Peoria Zoo and five public golf courses. Peoria is also home to minor league baseball and hockey teams, and collegiate athletics at Bradley University.

Long known as a tourism destination for its riverfront casino, Peoria also enjoys revenue from video gaming with 58 establishments and 220 machines. According to the May 2016 video gaming report, Peoria had $10.8 million wagered with a municipal share of $40,400. In Decatur, there are 74 establishments and 351 machines. During the same month, Decatur had $24 million wagered with a municipal share of $97,000.

The cost of living index of 84.5 is the same in both cities, but the property taxes paid are higher in Peoria. The crime index in Peoria is 390.8, much higher than Decatur’s 265, which is well below the national average.

Vital Statistics                        Decatur, IL         Peoria, IL
Population:                                    74,710                 115,828
Median HH Income:                    $38,974                $42,189
Median Home Value:                  $82,600               $117,800
Average Property Taxes:             $1,903                    $2,999
Cost of Living Index:                        84.2                       84.5
Crime Index:                                     265                        390

*Federal Bureau of Investigations, Crime in the United States, 2014.

Here & There is sponsored by the Economic Development Corp. of Macon County. Community information provided by the Peoria Chamber of Commerce and housing information provided by Realtor.com.

This article originally appeared in the August/September 2016 issue of Decatur Magazine. It may not be reproduced or redistributed in whole or in part without the publisher’s consent.

© Copyright 2016 Decatur Magazine – First String Productions. All rights reserved.