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CITY · 2020 ACS

Peru

Illinois · 9,896 residents · 10.367 sq mi
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The short version

Peru has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $52,635. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $130,700. With a median age of 46.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
9,896
+1%since 2000
from 9,835 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
955 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 949 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.1
+13%since 2000
from 40.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
9K10K10K10K10K1990201020202024Peru
202410K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,635
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,060 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,268
+66%since 2000
from $20,658 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
34.2%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 23.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.3%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade14.5%
US avg: 10%
Information12%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services7.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical7.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration5.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food3.5%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Construction1.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing1.2%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$130,700
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $84,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$760
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $484 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
69.8%
−5.5 ptssince 2000
from 75.2% in 2000
30.2% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+8%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic83.9%(8,304)
Black1.3%(126)
Hispanic / Latino9.4%(933)
Asian1.7%(173)
Other1.7%(173)
Diversity Score32.3%(3,197)
Diversity Score
32
+145%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.4%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 16.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.8%
+12.5 ptssince 2000
from 81.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.4 min
+17%since 2000
from 13.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.9%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 89.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.5%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.9%
−3.4 ptssince 2011
from 9.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.6%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 66.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.7%
−29.0 ptssince 2009
from 57.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.8%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
54.2%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
4.7%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.5%
−85.6 ptssince 2013
from 89.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Peru

Green Cove Springs
Pop 10,079
Cypress Gardens
Pop 10,077
Memphis
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+10%
Home value$113,500−13%
Population9,388−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PERU VS
Ottawa
Income$71,413+36%
Home value$154,000+18%
Population18,684+91%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PERU VS
Streator
Income$57,609+9%
Home value$94,700−28%
Population12,190+25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PERU VS
Morris
Income$76,711+46%
Home value$247,400+89%
Population14,669+50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Peru, Illinois?

Peru, Illinois has about 9,896 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Peru, Illinois?

The typical household in Peru, Illinois earns about $52,635 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 $130,700, and the typical rent is about $760 a month.

How educated are people in Peru, Illinois?

About 21.4% 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 11.3% 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 594 residents, a change of about 6 percent over that period.

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

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