Peru city, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Peru city, Indiana has a total population of 10,835, the 79th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $46,180, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.2% is notably above the national average.
Peru city Quick Facts
How Peru city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Peru city Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Cities Similar to Peru city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth city | 10,506 | $53,115 | $122,200 | 21.0% | 15.0% |
| Wabash city | 10,378 | $54,199 | $115,000 | 21.9% | 12.5% |
| Bluffton city | 10,539 | $57,929 | $136,800 | 16.5% | 9.9% |
| Washington city | 12,192 | $50,000 | $130,700 | 15.1% | 17.0% |
| Greencastle city | 9,863 | $54,217 | $154,000 | 25.8% | 8.7% |
Population Overview
Peru city is a small city located in Indiana. The total population is 10,835. It ranks as the 79th most populous out of 967 cities and towns in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Peru city is 40.8 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Peru city is $46,180. This is 34% lower than the state median of $70,051. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.4%. This is 109% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 10.2%. This is 137% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $84,000. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $201,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Peru city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Peru city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.1%. The Black or African American population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 8.4%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
16.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 28.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Peru city, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Peru city, Indiana?
Peru city, Indiana has a population of 10,835 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Peru city, IN?
The median household income in Peru city is $46,180, which is 41% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Peru city, IN?
The poverty rate in Peru city is 25.4%. This means approximately 2,723 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Peru city, Indiana?
Peru city's population is 86.7% White, 3.5% Black, 4.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Peru city, IN?
The median home value in Peru city is $84,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Peru city, Indiana?
16.5% of adults (25+) in Peru city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.