The city of Peoria has prided itself on being a great place to live. From Bradley University to Caterpillar, there are a number of things that make this city worth living in. It was even named one of the All-America City Award winners in 2014. There may be one category of people that are helping to push this pride in the city, and who falls into this category may surprise you.
By Kristin DiMaggio
In the past decade, Peoria has seen a substantial amount of new businesses sprouting up all around the city. From bakeries to coffee shops and antique stores to art galleries, Peoria seems to have found a second wind that is helping to make it thrive.
Peoria has historically been an economically sound city. With companies like Caterpillar creating a number of jobs for residents of the city, it’s easy to look past the smaller businesses in the area that may attribute to the city’s overall monetary stability.
It is these smaller businesses that have helped to spark a new found sense of pride in the Peoria area. New coffee shops all down main, like Leaves n Beans, Broken Tree and Thirty-Thirty Coffee Co. have played host to a number of poetry, art and music events for Peoria area artists.
So why are all of these smaller businesses just now starting to shape the city as a place of culture and life?
Looking at the city’s census data from the last decade may bring in some insight to the matter.
In 2000, Peoria’s total population was 183,433. The latest data from 2010 shows that this number has grown to 186,494—a 1.7 percent increase to the total population—and also estimates a growth to 186,399 for 2012.
Population differences in Peoria from 2000 to 2010
With specific age group growth over the years in mind, the 25 to 34 age range stands out with its increasing numbers.
In terms of the number of small shops opening and the growth of this age group, there seems to be a correlation between the two groups growing together. Peoria is a college town to Bradley University, and with the city being so close to the hilltop, it’s been easy to entice graduates to stay in the area and support the local community.
Bradley graduate and local artist Jasmin Garcia falls into this category. She said she initially stayed in the area because she managed to find a full time job.
“I figured it would look nice to beef up my resume,” she said.
Garcia said she can count at least 15 people who fall into the 25 to 34 age bracket that own or operate a small business around the Peoria area. She’s had her art featured in a number of these businesses.
In terms of city pride and unity, Garcia attributed this to a new found counter movement.
“I think for so long people had been hating Peoria, that now there’s people trying to find the good in Peoria—and actually finding it.”
One of the most recent developments in revitalization within the city is the newly launched Yaku Peoria campaign, of which Garcia is an active member. The organization aims to turn the old abandoned church on Main and High Street into a space for various forms of art to be shown or performed.
If you look solely at percentages, it may not seem like there has been too much growth in population. But it’s the actual comparison of total population that shows how the city is growing.
The age group that saw the biggest increase was the 55 to 59-year- old group, and the next being 60 to 64 years old. While this may not seem the most influential group compared to the ever-increasing younger age brackets, contextually this older group may help these businesses stay.
Retirement-aged individuals fall into these categories, which can help to boost the economy a bit as more free time and savings may play a role in these individuals’ lives.
While the next census is not until 2020, we can predict that the population will only continue to increase, even slightly. With that being said, Peoria may very well be the next best city to open a small business.