8 Places to Live in Greater Peoria, IL

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Greater Peoria comprises many wonderful communities, and each one offers something different. From overall vibe and green space to activities and restaurants, discover what each community brings to the table in Greater Peoria.

East Peoria

East Peoria is a city with pizzazz, thanks to its unique combination of hospitality, entertainment and food offerings. It lights up the region – literally! One of East Peoria’s biggest accolades is being named the winner of ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight for its incredible Festival of Lights display. The city also maintains a meticulous system of beautiful parks as well as EastSide Centre, a premier sports complex with multiple fields, courts and fitness equipment.

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

Peoria Heights

Peoria Heights is the perfect marriage of local dining and shopping, hosting over 75 independently owned businesses. While the Heights’ thriving downtown has become the pinnacle of growth and new experiences, it also boasts the beauty of the past with its historic homes and breathtaking views on Prospect Avenue and Grandview Drive.

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Eureka

Home to Eureka College, the famous alma mater of former President Ronald Reagan, Eureka is a small yet mighty fine place to live. Students infuse a youthful and diverse energy into the city itself, a welcome contrast to its otherwise rural feel. As the center of county government for Woodford County – and the unofficial center of business for the surrounding farming community – Eureka offers an abundance of resources for citizens.

Courtesy of Eureka College

Pekin

One of the largest municipalities in the region, Pekin has a population of approximately 32,000, and a large industrial base of companies operate there. Pekin provides its hardworking residents with a long list of amenities, including an incredible parks system, four gorgeous lakes and a charming downtown. Pekin is also home to four golf courses, including Lick Creek Golf Course, one of the best public courses in the state.

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Morton

Officially designated a village, Morton is praised for its safety and school system – it’s no wonder so many families flock to Morton. A beautiful and quiet place, the village strikes a beautiful balance between outdoor recreation, retail and dining options, checking off many quality-of-life boxes. Morton’s largest claim to fame is its title of Pumpkin Capital of the World, which is celebrated at the annual Morton Pumpkin Festival. Fun fact: 99% of the world’s canned pumpkin is produced in Morton.

Washington

Washington’s footprint is mostly residential and retail. Though the historic downtown square offers delightful boutiques and restaurants, much of Washington’s buildings are newer, suburban developments. Washington’s mayor of 20 years has presided over the city’s impressive growth, all while keeping its schools, police department and city services strong. Washington also has a fantastic community center called Five Points, which is a combined library, gym and performance venue.

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Peoria

With a population of more than 100,000, Peoria bustles with energy while maintaining a strong sense of community and connection. An incredibly drivable city, Peoria entices residents to venture out and engage with one another at popular events, like the Peoria RiverFront Market, which takes place every Saturday from May to September, or the Red, White & BOOM! Fourth of July festival, which boasts the largest fireworks display in the state. The arts are also alive and well in Peoria, with plenty of national touring acts coming through. Plus, Peoria is perfectly positioned between Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis, meaning residents can take many day trips to larger cities.

Dunlap

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Also known as the northside of Peoria, Dunlap directly abuts the larger city of Peoria and experiences much overlap when it comes to municipal boundaries and school districts. Designated a village, Dunlap is a bedroom community for Peoria, providing many of the same conveniences and accessibility as the larger city.