Peru, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Peru, Indiana had a total population of 10,901, the 79th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $46,159, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.1% is notably above the national average.
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 | 10,835 | 10,901 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $46,180 | $46,159 | -0.0% |
| Median home value | $84,000 | $92,500 | +10.1% |
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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Peru Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Miami County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bunker Hill | 940 | $52,973 | 14.1% | $91,600 |
| Mexico | 906 | $87,635 | 2.1% | $108,400 |
| Denver | 553 | $61,591 | 9.0% | $96,800 |
| Amboy | 338 | $51,667 | 26.6% | $121,300 |
| Macy | 199 | $49,643 | 6.5% | $61,700 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wabash | 10,358 | $53,410 | $116,500 | 23.4% | 14.0% |
| Plymouth | 10,664 | $58,623 | $131,800 | 23.7% | 13.5% |
| Bluffton | 10,529 | $57,539 | $149,600 | 17.7% | 9.5% |
| Kendallville | 10,556 | $58,939 | $133,200 | 13.0% | 12.4% |
| Washington | 12,367 | $50,331 | $152,200 | 16.8% | 18.2% |
Population Overview
Peru is a small city located in Indiana, within Miami County. The total population is 10,901. It ranks as the 79th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Peru is 41.2 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Peru is $46,159. This is 36% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.6%. This is 91% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. 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 9.1%. This is 112% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $92,500. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Peru is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Peru has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.7%. The Black or African American population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
16.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Peru, Indiana 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 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Peru, Indiana?
Peru, Indiana has a population of 10,901 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Peru, IN?
The median household income in Peru is $46,159, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Peru, IN?
The poverty rate in Peru is 23.6%. This means approximately 2,543 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Peru, Indiana?
Peru's population is 86.6% White, 2.9% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Peru, IN?
The median home value in Peru is $92,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Peru, Indiana?
16.4% of adults (25+) in Peru hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.