Peoria
Peoria, Illinois is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 112,936. The Greater Peoria Metro area, including suburbs and surrounding areas, has a population of 370,000.
Peoria has become famous as a representation of the average American city because of its demographics and its perceived mainstream Midwestern culture. On the Vaudeville circuit, it was said that if an act would succeed in Peoria, it would work anywhere. The question "Will it play in Peoria?" has now become a metaphor for whether something appeals to the American mainstream public, and Peoria is often used as a test market for new products, services, and public policy polling. In the past 50 years, Peoria has garnered the "All-American City" award three times. As national test marketers have found, Peoria is a microcosm of America herself.
