Peoria Heights, Illinois

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Peoria Heights is a village in Peoria County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,635 at the 2000 census. Peoria Heights is a suburb of Peoria and is surrounded by the city except for its eastern boundary on Peoria Lake. It is part of the Peoria-Pekin MSA.

[edit] Geography

Peoria Heights is located at 40°44′42″N, 89°34′31″W (40.744987, -89.575244).^GR1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 17.9 km² (6.9 mi²). 6.8 km² (2.6 mi²) of it is land and 11.1 km² (4.3 mi²) of it (61.79%) is water.

The village is noteworthy for its Grand View Drive, a residential street on top of the bluff overlooking the Illinois River with many elegant homes, parks, and a Country Club. Teddy Rosevelt purportedly called the street the "World's Most Beautiful Drive" when he visited the Peoria area in 1910 and this is where WMBD, a local radio station, gets its call letters.

The town is also recognized by its distinct red water tower in which one can ascend in an elevator and survey a sizable portion of both Peoria and Tazewell county. The tower forms the nucleus of Peoria Heights Tower Park a centerpiece of the community which underwent sweeping and controversial renovations in 2002, which cost nearly $800,000.00 in taxpayer money. The downtown business area nearby is home to a well-regarded, new upscale Peoria-area restaurant and wine shop, French Toast.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 6,635 people, 3,122 households, and 1,657 families residing in the village. The population density was 970.4/km² (2,509.0/mi²). There were 3,331 housing units at an average density of 487.2/km² (1,259.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 92.89% White, 3.45% African American, 0.32% Native American, 1.07% Asian, 1.06% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.90% of the population.

There were 3,122 households out of which 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.9% were non-families. 39.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the village the population was spread out with 20.3% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $32,161, and the median income for a family was $42,545. Males had a median income of $33,408 versus $22,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,999. About 6.7% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

Mark B. Allen is the Mayor of Peoria Heights, leading an administration that has begun tightening of ordinances and neighborhood enhancements.