Why We Live Here
Located about 30 minutes northwest of downtown Phoenix, Peoria was established in 1886 as a humble agricultural community. Since incorporating on June 7, 1954, Peoria has blossomed as a rapidly growing, modern city that offers a high quality of living in the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Peoria was ranked #1 city to live, work and play in Arizona (Ranking Arizona, 2021) and #1 city to live in Arizona in Money Magazine.
The city takes pride in providing excellent municipal services to residents. Four of the city’s essential service departments (Police, Fire, Public Works, and Parks & Recreation) are nationally accredited by independent agencies. This commitment to excellence is part of what sets Peoria apart from other cities and makes it a great place to live.
Peoria is home to Lake Pleasant Regional Park – a true oasis in the desert. The 23,000-acre park is home to two marinas and is a popular spot for boating, fishing, water skiing, kayaking, camping, and even scuba diving! Our residents enjoy access to 570 acres of parks including 36 neighborhood parks and three large community parks. There are more than 60 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. When it comes to entertainment, Peoria is hard to beat! We offer spring training baseball, two community theatres, an art museum, and a year-round calendar of festivals and special events. Our P83 Entertainment District offers a wide variety of local restaurants, shopping, and entertainment options for the whole family.
For more information, click here. For the city’s stats on housing, schools, the job market, and much more, click here.
- Incorporated 1954
- Area 176.0 sq. mi.
- Elevation 1,142’
- County Maricopa, Yavapai
- Website https://www.peoriaaz.gov
- Population 183,357 (2021 est.)
- Population Density 1,049 per sq. mi.
- Median Age 39.8
- Families with Kids Under 18 45%
- Average Household Income $63,025
- Overall Cost of Living 110.5
History
Peoria, Arizona came to be when William J. Murphy, a former Union Army officer, was working as head of construction on the Arizona Canal. Upon the canal’s completion in 1885, Murphy saw the potential for agriculture in the area and returned to Peoria, Illinois where he recruited four families to move out west in November 1886. The official plat map was filed with the County Recorder on March 27, 1897, naming the settlement after their hometown.
Interesting Facts
Peoria is the spring training home of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners, who share the Peoria Sports Complex.
Major Attractions and Events
(See https://www.thecrazytourist.com/top-15-things-to-do-in-peoria-az/.)
- Arizona Broadway Theater
- Challenger Space Center
- Lake Pleasant
- Peoria Center for the Performing Arts
- Peoria Sports Complex
- Second Saturdays in Old Town Peoria
Popular Restaurants
- Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant
- Angry Crab Shack
- Firebired’s Wood Fired Grill
- Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
- Texas Roadhouse
- V’s Taproom