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Pekin, IL

Frequently asked questions

Pekin, IL

Pekin is a city in and the county seat of Tazewell County in the U.S. state of Illinois. Located on the Illinois River, Pekin is the largest city of Tazewell County and the second most populous municipality of the Peoria metropolitan area, after Peoria itself. A small portion of the city limits extend into Peoria County. It is a suburb of Peoria and is part of the Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area. 

Pekin's Mineral Springs Park is near Pekin Hospital and the Miller Senior Center. The city is the location of a high-rise residential facility of the United Auto Workers; the location of the Pekin Federal Correctional Institution; and the headquarters of a regional insurance company, Pekin Insurance.

Farmer Jonathan Tharp, who came from Ohio, was the first non-native American resident of what would become Pekin, building a log cabin in 1824 on a ridge above the Illinois River at a site near the present foot of Broadway Drive. Franklin School was later erected near this site. Other settlers soon joined him, including his father Jacob Tharp who arrived from Ohio in 1825. They lived near Chief Shabbona's large Indian village of about 100 wigwams, populated primarily by Potawatomi, which was situated along Gravel Ridge, on the eastern shore of what is today Pekin Lake in northwest Pekin.

The county surveyor, William Hodge, measured and laid out a “town site” in 1827. In 1829, the plat was taken to Springfield and auctioned; the town site was awarded to Major Isaac Perkins, Gideon Hawley, William Haines, and Major Nathan Cromwell. Major Cromwell’s wife, Mrs. Ann Eliza Cromwell, selected the name of Pekin. It has been stated that Mrs. Cromwell named the town "Pekin" because she thought Peking was on the exact opposite side of the world from the town she founded. In the 1800s, China and the United States were thought to be antipodes, or locations that were exactly opposite of each other on the globe. As such, towns were sometimes named after their supposedly antipodal locations. Another example is Canton, Ohio. "Peking" was often romanized as "Pekin", as in other towns founded during the 1800s (such as Pekin, Ohio).

According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of 15.14 square miles (39.2 km²), of which 14.56 square miles (37.7 km²) (or 96.17%) is land and 0.58 square miles (1.5 km²) (or 3.83%) is water. 

Pekin lies on the Illinois River, and its John T. McNaughton Bridge connects the city to a small area of land the city has annexed in Peoria County. Nearby towns include North Pekin, Marquette Heights, Creve Coeur, Groveland, Tremont, Morton, Washington, Lincoln, East Peoria, Peoria, Bartonville, Mapleton, Manito, Delavan, Dillon, Green Valley, Hopedale, and South Pekin.

Pekin is dedicated to its residents' well-being, with an emphasis on health and wellness. For quality healthcare, Carle Health Pekin Park Court Medical Office Center is a cornerstone of the community, ensuring accessible medical services. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Pekin Parks and Recreation Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Planet Fitness, Titan Fitness, and Land Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Pekin, such as the Running Deer Trail and McNaughton Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Pekin, IL are Mineral Springs Park and Lagoon, Peoria Riverfront Museum, and Sunset Hills Golf Course.

Population: 31,731 (2020). ZIP Codes: 61554. Area code: 309. Elevation: 538 ft (164 m). Area: 16.57 sq mi (42.91 km²).

FAQs

What is Pekin, IL famous for?

Pekin's economy was for many years based on the steamboat trade. Abraham Lincoln argued many cases in its courthouse, as did Stephen A. Douglas and David Davis. The city was the birthplace and home of U.S. Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen, who is buried there.

Is Pekin, IL a good place to live?

Living in Pekin offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Pekin, there are a lot of bars. Many families live in Pekin and residents tend to be conservative. The public schools in Pekin are above average.

What is the crime rate in Pekin, IL?

The crime rate in Pekin is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 26 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Pekin is 1 in 38. Based on FBI crime data, Pekin is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Illinois, Pekin has a crime rate that is higher than 92% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Pekin 

Carle Health Pekin Park Court Medical Office Center

Pekin Parks and Recreation Department

Planet Fitness

Titan Fitness

Land Fitness

Running Deer Trail 

McNaughton Park

Mineral Springs Park and Lagoon

Peoria Riverfront Museum

Sunset Hills Golf Course

Britannica

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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