Illinois cities by population; 1, Chicago, 2, 665, 039; 2, Aurora, 177, 866; 3, Joliet, 150, 033; 4, Naperville, 149, 936, Aurora · Chicago Demography · Rockford Demography · Joliet. On a map made in 1778 by Thomas Hutchins, the location of the current Waukegan was shown as Old Fort River and Wakaygagh under the name of Rivière du Vieux Fort. Champaign was formed in 1855, two miles west of downtown Urbana, when the Illinois Central Railroad erected its railroad route. When it received a municipal charter in 1860, it was renamed Champaign instead of “West Urbana”.
The city also has a significant technology and software industry, with a concentration on research and development of new technologies. Many companies are located in the Research Park, which is located in south Champaign and is supported by the University of Illinois. Peoria, Illinois, is a major port on the Illinois River and a commercial and maritime center for a large agricultural area that produces corn, soybeans and animals. Despite the city's diverse economy, classic industrial companies are still prominent.
According to the Illinois State Archaeological Service, Peoria was founded in 1691 by French adventurer Henri de Tonti and is the state's first permanent European colony. Abraham Lincoln, the most prominent former resident, lived in Springfield from 1837 to 1861, before being elected president. Despite its difficulties over the years, Rockford has become one of the most attractive cities to live in Illinois. Residents can now find everything they need to feel at home, including health services, well-maintained streets, and beautiful parks.
Rockford was noted for its elm trees, which gave rise to the nickname “Forest City”. The patterns of parks and boulevard streets are notable in specific regions of the city. The city has a history of significant progress in education in the United States, as Joliet Junior College is the first public community college in the country. The places of worship highlight the Joliet community by showcasing some of the best examples of Roman, Gothic, Byzantine and Renaissance architecture in the surrounding area.
Naperville is the sixth largest city in Illinois, with an estimated population of around 151,000 people. When Joseph Naper arrived in 1831 and built a farm on the banks of the DuPage River, the city was born. The Chicago and Aurora Railroads built a station in the city in 1852, leading to rapid expansion. In 1919, three railroad lines connected Naperville with neighboring cities.
Naperville now has a thriving business community, as well as a diverse population. Naperville has several annual festivals. The community organizes the annual Ribfest, an open-air culinary festival held the days before Independence Day inclusive, as well as Last Fling, a Labor Day celebration and a circus. It's home to the Hollywood Aurora Casino, RiverEdge Park, the award-winning Paramount Theater, and Chicago Premium Outlets, one of the largest outdoor shopping destinations in the Midwest.
Here's a look at the largest cities in Illinois with key information and demographics from U.S. Census data. UU. Get a spreadsheet with the latest population, income, housing demographics, and more for all cities in Illinois.
Aurora was also one of the first cities in the United States to have a public lighting network powered by electricity in the 1880s. Before exploring Illinois cities by population, it's helpful to understand the population and demographics of the state as a whole. It is the largest city on the Illinois River and the second largest in central Illinois, behind Springfield, which is 74 miles to the south. It is also one of the most important cities in Illinois for its industrial and entertainment sectors.
Its award-winning park district, the largest and oldest in Illinois, oversees 9,000 acres of parks such as Glen Oak Park, a 19th-century park with a botanical garden, a children's museum and the Peoria Zoo. Still, you'll find everything from safe, family-friendly suburbs and small towns surrounded by nature and recreation to exciting urban areas. Champaign may not feature prominently if you list the populations of Illinois cities with a population of less than 100,000. Chicago is located on Lake Michigan and is the third largest city in the United States with a metropolitan population of 9.6 million.
Despite being one of the largest and fastest-growing cities in Illinois, Elgin preserves some of the variety of natural habitats that drew residents to the area in the first place. .
