Peru, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Peru, Illinois had a total population of 9,775, the 227th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $74,808, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.5%.
Peru Quick Facts
How Peru Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,863 | 9,775 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $68,147 | $74,808 | +9.8% |
| Median home value | $155,600 | $154,300 | -0.8% |
How Peru Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Peru Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in LaSalle County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | 18,447 | $71,413 | 17.3% | $154,000 |
| Streator | 12,330 | $57,609 | 20.3% | $94,700 |
| LaSalle | 9,498 | $57,732 | 18.8% | $113,500 |
| Mendota | 6,994 | $51,632 | 14.1% | $134,100 |
| Lake Holiday | 5,641 | $107,875 | 2.9% | $256,400 |
| Marseilles | 4,279 | $58,217 | 21.5% | $142,500 |
| Oglesby | 3,570 | $76,189 | 9.6% | $139,700 |
| Sheridan | 2,519 | $85,250 | 10.9% | $186,400 |
| Seneca | 2,450 | $86,830 | 22.2% | $227,500 |
| Earlville | 1,942 | $63,553 | 16.5% | $142,200 |
Cities Similar to Peru
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sauk Village | 9,678 | $69,973 | $110,800 | 20.0% | 17.6% |
| Harvard | 9,598 | $67,617 | $175,400 | 18.7% | 11.8% |
| Lyons | 10,339 | $70,993 | $257,300 | 18.4% | 14.0% |
| Crestwood | 10,579 | $75,752 | $195,200 | 26.2% | 13.0% |
| Rochelle | 9,529 | $66,307 | $164,300 | 18.6% | 7.9% |
Population Overview
Peru is a small city located in Illinois, within LaSalle County. The total population is 9,775. It ranks as the 227th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Peru is 45.7 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 13.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Peru is $74,808. This is 10% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.0%. This is 24% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $154,300. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Peru is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Peru has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.9%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
23.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Peru, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Illinois city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Peru, Illinois?
Peru, Illinois has a population of 9,775 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Peru, IL?
The median household income in Peru is $74,808, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Peru, IL?
The poverty rate in Peru is 9.0%. This means approximately 860 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Peru, Illinois?
Peru's population is 85.8% White, 0.6% Black, 10.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Peru, IL?
The median home value in Peru is $154,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Peru, Illinois?
23.1% of adults (25+) in Peru hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.