On a map made in 1778 by Thomas Hutchins, the location of the current Waukegan was shown as Old Fort River and Wakaygagh with 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 municipal bylaws in 1860, it was renamed Champaign instead of “West Urbana”. The city also has an important technology and software industry, which focuses on the 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 enterprises are still important. According to the Illinois State Archaeological Service, Peoria was founded in 1691 by the 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 elms, 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 advances 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 about 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 to neighboring cities. Naperville now has a thriving business community, as well as a diverse population. Naperville hosts several annual festivals.
The community organizes annually the Ribfest, an open-air culinary festival held the days before Independence Day, inclusive, and Last Fling, a Labor Day celebration and a circus. Still, you'll find everything from safe, family-friendly suburbs and small towns surrounded by nature and leisure to exciting urban areas. It is the largest city on the Illinois River and the second largest in central Illinois, behind Springfield, which is 120 km to the south. Champaign may not feature prominently if you list the populations of Illinois cities with a population of less than 100,000.
Before exploring Illinois cities by population, it's helpful to understand the population and demographics of the state as a whole. Get a spreadsheet with the most recent demographics of population, income, housing, and more for all cities in Illinois. Here are the largest cities in Illinois with key information and demographics extracted from U.S. Census data.
UU. It is also one of the most important cities in Illinois for its industrial and entertainment sectors. Aurora was also one of the first cities in the United States to have a public lighting network powered by electricity in the 1880s.