Streator was named for Dr. Worthy S. Streator, an Ohio industrialist who financed the region's first coal mining operation. It was incorporated as a city in 1868. Streator's early growth was due to its success as a coal producer, a major glass manufacturer and a railroad hub in the midwest. Today Streator's economy is led by heavy-equipment manufacturer Vactor, food manufacturer U.S. Foodservice and glass bottle manufacturer Owens-Illinois.
The city is the hometown of Clyde Tombaugh, who discovered the dwarf planet Pluto in 1930,, George "Honey Boy" Evans, who wrote "In the Good Old Summertime", and Clay Zavada, who is a starting pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Streator hosts annual events including the Roamer Cruise Night and the Heritage Days celebration each July 4th. Streator is governed by a Manager–council style of government. It maintains police and fire departments as well as a public works system. The mayor is Ray Schmitt.
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,190 people, 5,746 households, and 3,660 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,460.6 people per square mile (949.5/km²). There were 6,176 housing units at an average density of 1,071.0/sq mi (413.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.28% White, 2.06% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.50% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.64% of the population.
There were 5,746 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,868, and the median income for a family was $43,774. Males had a median income of $34,932 versus $20,994 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,650. About 8.3% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
Streator is a principal city of the Ottawa–Streator Micropolitan Statistical Area, which was the ninth-most populous Micropolitan Statistical Area in the United States as of 2007. The small Livingston County portion of Streator is part of the Pontiac Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Historically, the population of LaSalle county has increased 75% between 1870 and 1990, while the statewide population has grown 350%.
Streator is served by Illinois State Routes 23 and 18, which intersect in downtown. Streator is isolated in that it is located at least a thirty minute drive from the nearest US interstate highway. Rail service is provided by Norfolk Southern Railway, BNSF Railway and the Illinois Railway. Neither the city of Streator nor LaSalle County provide a mass transit system.