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Coordinates: 40°44′48″N 89°34′12″W / 40.74667°N 89.57000°W / 40.74667; -89.57000
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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Peoria Heights
| name = Peoria Heights
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|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1759026
|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1759026
|title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1
|title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1
|access-date=2015-12-25
|access-date=December 25, 2015
|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213042537/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1759026
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213042537/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1759026
|archive-date=2020-02-13
|archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> That most of the village is water is due to the fact that most of [[Upper Peoria Lake]] lies within its boundaries;<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.eastpeoriatimescourier.com/feature_stories/x698068903/Locating-the-area-that-is-East-Peoria-Heights | title = Locating the area that is 'East Peoria Heights' | first = DeWayne | last = Bartels | work = East Peoria Times-Courier | date = 2011-03-23 | access-date = 2011-03-25 | publisher = GateHouse Media | location = Peoria, Illinois }}</ref> this can be seen on official state maps.<ref>[http://www.dot.il.gov/maps/city/Peoria%20Hts.pdf Peoria Heights map]</ref>
}}</ref> That most of the village is water is due to the fact that most of [[Upper Peoria Lake]] lies within its boundaries;<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.eastpeoriatimescourier.com/feature_stories/x698068903/Locating-the-area-that-is-East-Peoria-Heights | title = Locating the area that is 'East Peoria Heights' | first = DeWayne | last = Bartels | work = East Peoria Times-Courier | date = March 23, 2011 | access-date = March 25, 2011 | publisher = GateHouse Media | location = Peoria, Illinois }}</ref> this can be seen on official state maps.<ref>[http://www.dot.il.gov/maps/city/Peoria%20Hts.pdf Peoria Heights map]</ref>


Topographically, the village can be roughly divided into three zones. The Illinois River [[floodplain]], the [[Hill|bluff]], and the [[plateau]]. While its eastern border is fairly regular with the river's edge, the rest of its municipal border, with Peoria, is quite irregular and convoluted.<ref>[http://villageofpeoriaheights.org/new/images/stories/Map_of_PH.pdf The Village of Peoria Heights. Map]</ref>
Topographically, the village can be roughly divided into three zones. The Illinois River [[floodplain]], the [[Hill|bluff]], and the [[plateau]]. While its eastern border is fairly regular with the river's edge, the rest of its municipal border, with Peoria, is quite irregular and convoluted.<ref>[http://villageofpeoriaheights.org/new/images/stories/Map_of_PH.pdf The Village of Peoria Heights. Map]</ref>


According to the Census Bureau records through 2007, Peoria Heights lies in three counties (Peoria, Woodford, and Tazewell).<ref name="census-est2007-17">{{cite web | url = https://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2007-17.csv | title = Subcounty population estimates: Illinois 2000–2007 | format = [[comma-separated values|CSV]] | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division | date = 2009-03-18 | access-date = 2009-04-04 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080926135429/http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2007-17.csv | archive-date = 2008-09-26 }} Peoria Heights population total (line 925): 6252 people; [[Richwoods Township, Peoria County, Illinois]] (line 5788): 6153 people; [[Fondulac Township, Tazewell County, Illinois|Fondulac Township, Tazewell County]] (line 6577): 0 people; [[Spring Bay Township, Woodford County, Illinois|Spring Bay Township, Woodford County]] (line 7280): 99 people.</ref> While neither Tazewell nor Woodford counties consider Peoria Heights to be within their jurisdiction,<ref>[http://www.woodford-county.org/index.php?section=33 Communities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320082420/http://www.woodford-county.org/index.php?section=33 |date=2012-03-20 }}. Woodford-county.org. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.</ref><ref>[http://www.tazewell.com/index.html Tazewell County Home Page]. Tazewell.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.</ref> the state of Illinois does show that across Peoria Lake from the rest of the village, a small, uninhabited{{citation needed|date=March 2011}} area exists both within Peoria Heights and Woodford County. However, the Census Bureau claim that Peoria Heights is also within Tazewell County is unsupported by any state, county, or municipal websites.
According to the Census Bureau records through 2007, Peoria Heights lies in three counties (Peoria, Woodford, and Tazewell).<ref name="census-est2007-17">{{cite web | url = https://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2007-17.csv | title = Subcounty population estimates: Illinois 2000–2007 | format = [[comma-separated values|CSV]] | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division | date = March 18, 2009 | access-date = April 4, 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080926135429/http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2007-17.csv | archive-date = September 26, 2008 }} Peoria Heights population total (line 925): 6252 people; [[Richwoods Township, Peoria County, Illinois]] (line 5788): 6153 people; [[Fondulac Township, Tazewell County, Illinois|Fondulac Township, Tazewell County]] (line 6577): 0 people; [[Spring Bay Township, Woodford County, Illinois|Spring Bay Township, Woodford County]] (line 7280): 99 people.</ref> While neither Tazewell nor Woodford counties consider Peoria Heights to be within their jurisdiction,<ref>[http://www.woodford-county.org/index.php?section=33 Communities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320082420/http://www.woodford-county.org/index.php?section=33 |date=March 20, 2012 }}. Woodford-county.org. Retrieved on March 28, 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.tazewell.com/index.html Tazewell County Home Page]. Tazewell.com. Retrieved on March 28, 2011.</ref> the state of Illinois does show that across Peoria Lake from the rest of the village, a small, uninhabited{{citation needed|date=March 2011}} area exists both within Peoria Heights and Woodford County. However, the Census Bureau claim that Peoria Heights is also within Tazewell County is unsupported by any state, county, or municipal websites.

==History==
⚫
The area was developed by white settlers in 1898, under the name Prospect Heights Land Company.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.peoriaheights.org/history |access-date=November 26, 2023 |website=VILLAGE of PEORIA HEIGHTS |language=en-US}}</ref> When it was incorporated, it was called Prospect Heights. Three years later, they changed it to Peoria Heights to avoid confusion with the [[Prospect Heights, Illinois|Prospect Heights]] community near Chicago.<ref name=":0" />

The Prospect Heights Hotel hosted a Hungarian orchestra that played every night as the house band. The hotel burned down in the summer of 1894.<ref name=":1" />

The village celebrated its centennial in 1998.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Peoria Heights |url=https://www.ronaldreagantrail.net/peoria-heights/ |access-date=November 26, 2023 |website=The Ronald Reagan Trail |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Landmarks==
==Landmarks==
The village is perhaps most noteworthy for its [[Grand View Drive]], a residential street on top of the bluff overlooking the Illinois River with many elegant homes and a [[country club]]. The road also has several panoramic look-outs of the river and beyond into [[Tazewell County, Illinois|Tazewell]] and [[Woodford County, Illinois|Woodford]] counties as well as a park with a children's playground, picnic area, and baseball diamond. [[Teddy Roosevelt]] purportedly called the street the "World's Most Beautiful Drive" when he visited the Peoria area in October 1910; [[WMBD (AM)|WMBD]], a local radio and TV station, gets its call letters from Roosevelt's expression.<ref name="nrhpnom">{{cite journal|url=http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/hargis/PDFs/201044.pdf|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Grand View Drive|author=Baietto, Michael E.|date=25 August 1995|pages=25–26|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=9 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203114941/http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/hargis/PDFs/201044.pdf|archive-date=3 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The village is perhaps most noteworthy for its [[Grand View Drive]], a residential street on top of the bluff overlooking the Illinois River with many elegant homes and a [[country club]]. The road also has several panoramic look-outs of the river and beyond into [[Tazewell County, Illinois|Tazewell]] and [[Woodford County, Illinois|Woodford]] counties as well as a park with a children's playground, picnic area, and baseball diamond. [[Teddy Roosevelt]] purportedly called the street the "World's Most Beautiful Drive" when he visited the Peoria area in October 1910; [[WMBD (AM)|WMBD]], a local radio and TV station, gets its call letters from Roosevelt's expression.<ref name="nrhpnom">{{cite journal |author=Baietto |first=Michael E. |date=August 25, 1995 |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Grand View Drive |url=http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/hargis/PDFs/201044.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=NRHP |publisher=National Park Service |pages=25–26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203114941/http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/hargis/PDFs/201044.pdf |archive-date=December 3, 2007 |access-date=December 9, 2011}}</ref>

⚫
The town is also recognized by its distinct, red [[water tower]].<ref>[http://www.peoriaheightschamber.com/aboutus.htm Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce About Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715063443/http://www.peoriaheightschamber.com/aboutus.htm |date=July 15, 2011 }}. Peoriaheightschamber.com. Retrieved on March 28, 2011.</ref> One can ascend the tower in an elevator and survey a sizable portion of Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties from three observational decks. The tower has a 6 ft. wooden woodpecker on the side.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Cody |first=Tom |date=April 27, 2023 |title=It’s Happening in the Heights |url=https://www.peoriamagazine.com/article/its-happening-in-the-heights/ |access-date=November 26, 2023 |website=Peoria Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> The tower forms the nucleus of Peoria Heights Tower Park. Tower Park is a centerpiece of the community which underwent sweeping and controversial renovations in 2002, costing the Village nearly $800,000. The nearby downtown business area includes upscale restaurants and shops. In addition to this water tower there is another modern tower on Toledo Avenue colored white with the Peoria Heights logo; it was formerly painted a distinctive Red, White, and Blue (the school district colors).


A bronze sculpture of Lincoln's head by [[Gutzon Borglum]] is near the Village Hall within Tower Park.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tower Park |url=https://www.peoriaheights.org/tower-park |access-date=November 26, 2023 |website=VILLAGE of PEORIA HEIGHTS |language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
The town is also recognized by its distinct, red [[water tower]].<ref>[http://www.peoriaheightschamber.com/aboutus.htm Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce About Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715063443/http://www.peoriaheightschamber.com/aboutus.htm |date=2011-07-15 }}. Peoriaheightschamber.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.</ref> One can ascend the tower in an elevator and survey a sizable portion of Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. The tower forms the nucleus of Peoria Heights Tower Park. Tower Park is a centerpiece of the community which underwent sweeping and controversial renovations in 2002, costing the Village nearly $800,000.00. The nearby downtown business area includes upscale restaurants and shops. In addition to this water tower there is another modern tower on Toledo Avenue colored white with the Peoria Heights logo. Formerly painted a distinctive Red, White, and Blue (the school district colors).


On and below the bluff, there are several parks and recreational areas. Forest Park Nature Center is a nature reserve on the bluff containing several miles of [[trail]]s of varying difficulty and the village's only native [[prairie restoration]] site.<ref>[http://www.peoriaheightschamber.com/community.htm Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce Community] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715063457/http://www.peoriaheightschamber.com/community.htm |date=2011-07-15 }}. Peoriaheightschamber.com (1969-03-17). Retrieved on 2011-03-28.</ref> The Pimiteoui Trail links up Forest Park Nature Center's visitor center with Grandview Drive. Bielfeldt Park is a more traditional park with sports fields, a paved trail, children's playground, and [[picnic]] area. The southern terminus of Grandview also sports a park with swings, slide, and pavilion.
On and below the bluff, there are several parks and recreational areas. [[Forest Park Nature Center]] is a nature reserve on the bluff containing several miles of [[trail]]s of varying difficulty and the village's only native [[prairie restoration]] site.<ref>[http://www.peoriaheightschamber.com/community.htm Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce Community] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715063457/http://www.peoriaheightschamber.com/community.htm |date=July 15, 2011 }}. Peoriaheightschamber.com (March 17, 1969). Retrieved on 2011-03-28.</ref> The Pimiteoui Trail links up Forest Park Nature Center's visitor center with Grandview Drive. Bielfeldt Park is a more traditional park with sports fields, a paved trail, children's playground, and [[picnic]] area. The southern terminus of Grandview also sports a park with swings, slide, and pavilion. The Rock Island Greenway has a section through Peoria Heights.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peoria Heights |url=https://www.illinoisriverroad.org/communities/united-states/illinois/peoria-heights/community/peoria-heights/ |access-date=November 26, 2023 |website=Illinois River Road |language=en-US}}</ref>


The [[Duryea Motor Wagon Company]] once had a production facility nearby (the reason for the aforementioned visit by Teddy Roosevelt).<ref>[http://www.peoriaheightschamber.com/duryea-history.htm Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce Duryea Auto History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715063431/http://www.peoriaheightschamber.com/duryea-history.htm |date=2011-07-15 }}. Peoriaheightschamber.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.</ref> The town was also the site of a [[brewery]] for [[Pabst Blue Ribbon]]. The closing of the Pabst brewery in 1982 had a severe impact on the local economy and population, from which the community has never completely recovered. The Peoria City [[mass transit]] company, CityLink, offers a History Trolley, which starts its tour in the Prospect Commercial Sector.
The [[Duryea Motor Wagon Company]] once had a production facility nearby (the reason for the aforementioned visit by Teddy Roosevelt).<ref>[http://www.peoriaheightschamber.com/duryea-history.htm Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce Duryea Auto History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715063431/http://www.peoriaheightschamber.com/duryea-history.htm |date=July 15, 2011 }}. Peoriaheightschamber.com. Retrieved on March 28, 2011.</ref> The town was also the site of a [[brewery]] for [[Pabst Blue Ribbon]] from 1934 to 1982.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Heights Life |url=https://www.peoriaheightschamber.com/the-heights-life |access-date=November 26, 2023 |website=Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce |language=en-US}}</ref> The closing of the Pabst brewery in 1982 had a severe impact on the local economy and population, from which the community has never completely recovered.<ref name=":3" /> The Peoria City [[mass transit]] company, [[Greater Peoria Mass Transit District|CityLink]], offers a History Trolley, which starts its tour in the Prospect Commercial Sector.


The [[Peoria Heights Public Library]] is located off Glen and is not far from Grandview Drive or Downtown Peoria Heights.
The [[Peoria Heights Public Library]] is located off Glen and is not far from Grandview Drive or Downtown Peoria Heights.


==Government and politics==
==Government and politics==
The Village of Peoria Heights is a home rule municipality governed by a Village Board of Trustees form of government. The [[mayor]] and the [[village clerk]] are each elected at large to a four-year term. The Mayor appoints the Village Treasurer. The Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer of the Village and presides over meetings of the Village Board. With the approval of the Village Board, the Mayor appoints non-elected Village officials. The Village Clerk is the recording officer of the Village, and is responsible for attending all meetings of the Village Board and keeping records of the proceedings. Village Board meetings are the first and third Tuesday of each month.<ref name=r1>[http://www.villageofpeoriaheights.org/ Village of Peoria Heights]. Village of Peoria Heights. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.</ref>
The Village of Peoria Heights is a home rule municipality governed by a Village Board of Trustees form of government. The [[mayor]] and the [[village clerk]] are each elected at large to a four-year term. The Mayor appoints the Village Treasurer. The Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer of the Village and presides over meetings of the Village Board. With the approval of the Village Board, the Mayor appoints non-elected Village officials. The Village Clerk is the recording officer of the Village, and is responsible for attending all meetings of the Village Board and keeping records of the proceedings. Village Board meetings are the first and third Tuesday of each month.<ref name=r1>[http://www.villageofpeoriaheights.org/ Village of Peoria Heights]. Village of Peoria Heights. Retrieved on March 28, 2011.</ref>


The Village Board is the [[legislature|legislative body]] for the village, and consists of six trustees elected for a four-year term. Their terms are staggered, so that half are elected every two years. Members may be elected for an indefinite number of terms. The Village Board formulates policy and enacts local laws, usually in the form of resolutions and ordinances. The Village Board is directly responsible to the citizens of Peoria Heights.<ref name=r1/>
The Village Board is the [[legislature|legislative body]] for the village, and consists of six trustees elected for a four-year term. Their terms are staggered, so that half are elected every two years. Members may be elected for an indefinite number of terms. The Village Board formulates policy and enacts local laws, usually in the form of resolutions and ordinances. The Village Board is directly responsible to the citizens of Peoria Heights.<ref name=r1/>


Peoria Heights has a history of non-national [[political party|political parties]]. The "Village Party" and the "People's Party" were once prominent in local elections. Today the "Village Party" is defunct and the "People's Party" has lost in the last four elections to Independent candidates.
Peoria Heights has a history of non-national [[political party|political parties]]. The "Village Party" and the "People's Party" were once prominent in local elections. Today the "Village Party" is defunct and the "People's Party" has lost in the last four elections to Independent candidates.

⚫
==Emergency Services==
⚫
Peoria Heights has stand alone Fire and Police Services. The fire department is a [[Volunteer fire department|volunteer on call service]]. As of December 2014, EMS services are provided by Advanced Medical Transport.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peoria Heights switches to ambulance service &#124; WEEK News 25 - News, Sports, Weather - Peoria, Illinois &#124; Top Stories |url=http://www.cinewsnow.com/news/local/Peoria-Heights-switches-to-AMT-284558651.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115072042/http://www.cinewsnow.com/news/local/Peoria-Heights-switches-to-AMT-284558651.html |archive-date=November 15, 2016 |access-date=November 14, 2016}}</ref>


==Schools==
==Schools==
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===History===
===History===
{{Further|Peoria Heights Community Unit School District 325#History}}
⚫
{{Further|Peoria Heights Community Unit School District 325#History}}The area was developed by white settlers in 1898, under the name Prospect Heights Land Company.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.peoriaheights.org/history |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=VILLAGE of PEORIA HEIGHTS |language=en-US}}</ref> When it was incorporated, it was called Prospect Heights. Three years later, they changed it to Peoria Heights to avoid confusion with the [[Prospect Heights, Illinois|Prospect Heights]] community near Chicago.<ref name=":0" />

⚫
==Emergency Services==
⚫
Peoria Heights has stand alone Fire and Police Services. The fire department is a [[Volunteer fire department|volunteer on call service]]. As of December 2014, EMS services are provided by Advanced Medical Transport.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cinewsnow.com/news/local/Peoria-Heights-switches-to-AMT-284558651.html |title=Peoria Heights switches to ambulance service &#124; WEEK News 25 - News, Sports, Weather - Peoria, Illinois &#124; Top Stories |access-date=2016-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115072042/http://www.cinewsnow.com/news/local/Peoria-Heights-switches-to-AMT-284558651.html |archive-date=2016-11-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Demographics==
==Demographics==
{{US Census population
{{US Census population
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|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 6,635 people, 3,122 households, and 1,657 families residing in the village. The population density was {{convert|2,509.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,331 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,259.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the village was 92.89% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.45% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.32% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.07% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.06% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.22% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.90% of the population.
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 6,635 people, 3,122 households, and 1,657 families residing in the village. The population density was {{convert|2,509.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,331 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,259.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the village was 92.89% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.45% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.32% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.07% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.06% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.22% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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 [[Marriage|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.
There were 3,122 households, out of which 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% were [[Marriage|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.
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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.
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.

==Transportation==
[[Greater Peoria Mass Transit District|CityLink]] provides bus service on Routes 2, 12, and 14 connecting Peoria Heights to destinations throughout the Peoria area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ridecitylink.org/schedules-routes/|title=Schedules & Routes|access-date=January 27, 2024}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Villages in Woodford County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Villages in Woodford County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Villages in Tazewell County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Villages in Tazewell County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Villages in Illinois]]
[[Category:Ronald Reagan Trail]]
[[Category:Ronald Reagan Trail]]
[[Category:Peoria metropolitan area, Illinois]]
[[Category:Peoria metropolitan area, Illinois]]

Latest revision as of 11:05, 19 October 2024

Peoria Heights
Village
Tower Park water tower, 1970
Tower Park water tower, 1970
Location of Peoria Heights in Peoria County, Illinois.
Location of Peoria Heights in Peoria County, Illinois.
Location of Illinois in the United States
Location of Illinois in the United States
Coordinates: 40°44′48″N 89°34′12″W / 40.74667°N 89.57000°W / 40.74667; -89.57000[2]
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountiesPeoria, Woodford, Tazewell[1]
TownshipRichwoods, Spring Bay, Fondulac
Area
[3]
 • Total
2.87 sq mi (7.44 km2)
 • Land2.49 sq mi (6.46 km2)
 • Water0.38 sq mi (0.98 km2)
Elevation
[2]
784 ft (239 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
5,908
 • Density2,369.84/sq mi (915.16/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)
61616
Area code309
FIPS code17-59026
GNIS feature ID2399652[2]
Wikimedia CommonsPeoria Heights, Illinois
Websitewww.peoriaheights.org/home

Peoria Heights is a village lying in Peoria County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 6,156 at the 2010 census, down from 6,635 in 2000. Peoria Heights is a suburb of Peoria, is sometimes referred to as Uptown, and is surrounded by the city except for its eastern boundary on Peoria Lake, a relatively wider section of the Illinois River. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

[edit]

According to the 2010 census, Peoria Heights has a total area of 6.969 square miles (18.05 km2), of which 2.65 square miles (6.86 km2) (or 38.03%) is land and 4.319 square miles (11.19 km2) (or 61.97%) is water.[4] That most of the village is water is due to the fact that most of Upper Peoria Lake lies within its boundaries;[5] this can be seen on official state maps.[6]

Topographically, the village can be roughly divided into three zones. The Illinois River floodplain, the bluff, and the plateau. While its eastern border is fairly regular with the river's edge, the rest of its municipal border, with Peoria, is quite irregular and convoluted.[7]

According to the Census Bureau records through 2007, Peoria Heights lies in three counties (Peoria, Woodford, and Tazewell).[1] While neither Tazewell nor Woodford counties consider Peoria Heights to be within their jurisdiction,[8][9] the state of Illinois does show that across Peoria Lake from the rest of the village, a small, uninhabited[citation needed] area exists both within Peoria Heights and Woodford County. However, the Census Bureau claim that Peoria Heights is also within Tazewell County is unsupported by any state, county, or municipal websites.

History

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The area was developed by white settlers in 1898, under the name Prospect Heights Land Company.[10] When it was incorporated, it was called Prospect Heights. Three years later, they changed it to Peoria Heights to avoid confusion with the Prospect Heights community near Chicago.[10]

The Prospect Heights Hotel hosted a Hungarian orchestra that played every night as the house band. The hotel burned down in the summer of 1894.[11]

The village celebrated its centennial in 1998.[12]

Landmarks

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The village is perhaps most noteworthy for its Grand View Drive, a residential street on top of the bluff overlooking the Illinois River with many elegant homes and a country club. The road also has several panoramic look-outs of the river and beyond into Tazewell and Woodford counties as well as a park with a children's playground, picnic area, and baseball diamond. Teddy Roosevelt purportedly called the street the "World's Most Beautiful Drive" when he visited the Peoria area in October 1910; WMBD, a local radio and TV station, gets its call letters from Roosevelt's expression.[13]

The town is also recognized by its distinct, red water tower.[14] One can ascend the tower in an elevator and survey a sizable portion of Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties from three observational decks. The tower has a 6 ft. wooden woodpecker on the side.[15] The tower forms the nucleus of Peoria Heights Tower Park. Tower Park is a centerpiece of the community which underwent sweeping and controversial renovations in 2002, costing the Village nearly $800,000. The nearby downtown business area includes upscale restaurants and shops. In addition to this water tower there is another modern tower on Toledo Avenue colored white with the Peoria Heights logo; it was formerly painted a distinctive Red, White, and Blue (the school district colors).

A bronze sculpture of Lincoln's head by Gutzon Borglum is near the Village Hall within Tower Park.[12][16]

On and below the bluff, there are several parks and recreational areas. Forest Park Nature Center is a nature reserve on the bluff containing several miles of trails of varying difficulty and the village's only native prairie restoration site.[17] The Pimiteoui Trail links up Forest Park Nature Center's visitor center with Grandview Drive. Bielfeldt Park is a more traditional park with sports fields, a paved trail, children's playground, and picnic area. The southern terminus of Grandview also sports a park with swings, slide, and pavilion. The Rock Island Greenway has a section through Peoria Heights.[18]

The Duryea Motor Wagon Company once had a production facility nearby (the reason for the aforementioned visit by Teddy Roosevelt).[19] The town was also the site of a brewery for Pabst Blue Ribbon from 1934 to 1982.[11] The closing of the Pabst brewery in 1982 had a severe impact on the local economy and population, from which the community has never completely recovered.[15] The Peoria City mass transit company, CityLink, offers a History Trolley, which starts its tour in the Prospect Commercial Sector.

The Peoria Heights Public Library is located off Glen and is not far from Grandview Drive or Downtown Peoria Heights.

Government and politics

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The Village of Peoria Heights is a home rule municipality governed by a Village Board of Trustees form of government. The mayor and the village clerk are each elected at large to a four-year term. The Mayor appoints the Village Treasurer. The Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer of the Village and presides over meetings of the Village Board. With the approval of the Village Board, the Mayor appoints non-elected Village officials. The Village Clerk is the recording officer of the Village, and is responsible for attending all meetings of the Village Board and keeping records of the proceedings. Village Board meetings are the first and third Tuesday of each month.[20]

The Village Board is the legislative body for the village, and consists of six trustees elected for a four-year term. Their terms are staggered, so that half are elected every two years. Members may be elected for an indefinite number of terms. The Village Board formulates policy and enacts local laws, usually in the form of resolutions and ordinances. The Village Board is directly responsible to the citizens of Peoria Heights.[20]

Peoria Heights has a history of non-national political parties. The "Village Party" and the "People's Party" were once prominent in local elections. Today the "Village Party" is defunct and the "People's Party" has lost in the last four elections to Independent candidates.

Emergency Services

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Peoria Heights has stand alone Fire and Police Services. The fire department is a volunteer on call service. As of December 2014, EMS services are provided by Advanced Medical Transport.[21]

Schools

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History

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Further information: Peoria Heights Community Unit School District 325 § History

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1900309—
191058288.3%
19201,11190.9%
19303,279195.1%
19404,37633.5%
19505,42524.0%
19607,06430.2%
19707,94312.4%
19807,453−6.2%
19906,930−7.0%
20006,635−4.3%
20106,156−7.2%
20205,908−4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[22]

As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 6,635 people, 3,122 households, and 1,657 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,509.0 inhabitants per square mile (968.7/km2). There were 3,331 housing units at an average density of 1,259.6 per square mile (486.3/km2). 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.

Transportation

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CityLink provides bus service on Routes 2, 12, and 14 connecting Peoria Heights to destinations throughout the Peoria area.[24]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Subcounty population estimates: Illinois 2000–2007". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. March 18, 2009. Archived from the original (CSV) on September 26, 2008. Retrieved April 4, 2009. Peoria Heights population total (line 925): 6252 people; Richwoods Township, Peoria County, Illinois (line 5788): 6153 people; Fondulac Township, Tazewell County (line 6577): 0 people; Spring Bay Township, Woodford County (line 7280): 99 people.
  2. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Peoria Heights, Illinois
  3. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  4. ^ "G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
  5. ^ Bartels, DeWayne (March 23, 2011). "Locating the area that is 'East Peoria Heights'". East Peoria Times-Courier. Peoria, Illinois: GateHouse Media. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  6. ^ Peoria Heights map
  7. ^ The Village of Peoria Heights. Map
  8. ^ Communities Archived March 20, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Woodford-county.org. Retrieved on March 28, 2011.
  9. ^ Tazewell County Home Page. Tazewell.com. Retrieved on March 28, 2011.
  10. ^ a b "History". VILLAGE of PEORIA HEIGHTS. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Heights Life". Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Peoria Heights". The Ronald Reagan Trail. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  13. ^ Baietto, Michael E. (August 25, 1995). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Grand View Drive" (PDF). NRHP. National Park Service: 25–26. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2007. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
  14. ^ Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce About Us Archived July 15, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Peoriaheightschamber.com. Retrieved on March 28, 2011.
  15. ^ a b Cody, Tom (April 27, 2023). "It's Happening in the Heights". Peoria Magazine. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  16. ^ "Tower Park". VILLAGE of PEORIA HEIGHTS. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  17. ^ Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce Community Archived July 15, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Peoriaheightschamber.com (March 17, 1969). Retrieved on 2011-03-28.
  18. ^ "Peoria Heights". Illinois River Road. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  19. ^ Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce Duryea Auto History Archived July 15, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Peoriaheightschamber.com. Retrieved on March 28, 2011.
  20. ^ a b Village of Peoria Heights. Village of Peoria Heights. Retrieved on March 28, 2011.
  21. ^ "Peoria Heights switches to ambulance service | WEEK News 25 - News, Sports, Weather - Peoria, Illinois | Top Stories". Archived from the original on November 15, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  22. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  23. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  24. ^ "Schedules & Routes". Retrieved January 27, 2024.
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