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CITY

Peru

Illinois · 9,780 residents (2025 est.) · 10.367 sq mi
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The short version

Peru has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $74,808. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $154,300. With a median age of 45.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 45.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
9,775
−1%since 2000
from 9,835 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
943 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 949 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
45.7
+12%since 2000
from 40.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:9,780 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
9K10K10K10K10K1990201020202024Peru
202410K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$74,808
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,060 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,211
+104%since 2000
from $20,658 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
50.0%
+26.1 ptssince 2009
from 23.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.405
−8%since 2010
from 0.442 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade13.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance6.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Transportation & warehousing4.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Construction4.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$154,300
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $84,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$921
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $484 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
75.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 75.2% in 2000
25.0% rent
Vacancy rate
7.7%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
15.6%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
34.8%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 41.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.1
−10%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
37
RELATED:See current rent listings in Peru on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.8%(9,230)
Black0.3%(31)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(401)
Asian1.1%(108)
Other0%
Diversity Score13.2%(1,299)
2024
White, non-Hispanic85.8%(8,389)
Black0.6%(55)
Hispanic / Latino10.9%(1,067)
Asian0.8%(79)
Other1.9%(185)
Diversity Score31.4%(3,068)
Diversity Score
31
+138%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.1%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 16.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.6%
+13.3 ptssince 2000
from 81.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.5%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.8 min
+42%since 2000
from 13.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.1%
−9.1 ptssince 2009
from 89.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.0%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.7%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.4%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.6%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.5%
−6.8 ptssince 2011
from 9.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.9%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 66.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.4%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.4%
−24.3 ptssince 2009
from 57.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
49.5%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
5.0%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.8%
−43.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.9%
+5.6 ptssince 2012
from 12.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.8%
−86.3 ptssince 2013
from 89.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.9%
+13.1 ptssince 2017
from 70.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.6%
−1.7 ptssince 2016
from 94.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 4.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Peru

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Pop 10,079
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Pop 9,185
Bee Ridge
Pop 10,334
Places similar to Peru
Head to head

Compare Peru to nearby cities

PERU VS
LaSalle
Income$57,732−23%
Home value$113,500−26%
Population9,388−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PERU VS
Ottawa
Income$71,413−5%
Home value$154,000same
Population18,684+91%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PERU VS
Streator
Income$57,609−23%
Home value$94,700−39%
Population12,190+25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PERU VS
Morris
Income$76,711+3%
Home value$247,400+60%
Population14,669+50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Peru, Illinois?

Peru, Illinois has about 9,775 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Peru, Illinois?

The typical household in Peru, Illinois earns about $74,808 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Peru, Illinois expensive?

In Peru, Illinois, the median home is worth about $154,300, and the typical rent is about $921 a month.

How educated are people in Peru, Illinois?

About 23.1% of adults age 25 and over in Peru, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Peru, Illinois?

About 9.0% of people in Peru, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Peru, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Peru, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 473 residents, a change of about 5 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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