Peru, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Peru, Kansas had a total population of 139, the 496th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $39,615, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 14.8% 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 | 165 | 139 | -15.8% |
| Median household income | $45,000 | $39,615 | -12.0% |
| Median home value | $33,900 | $37,500 | +10.6% |
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Peru Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Chautauqua County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | 1,050 | $46,827 | 22.5% | $41,200 |
| Cedar Vale | 529 | $44,816 | 23.8% | $36,400 |
| Niotaze | 99 | $73,047 | 19.2% | $154,900 |
| Chautauqua | 91 | N/A | 7.7% | $57,500 |
| Elgin | 72 | N/A | 13.9% | $17,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crestline | 139 | N/A | N/A | 44.2% | 0.0% |
| Goff | 133 | N/A | $50,000 | 9.3% | 68.4% |
| Neosho Falls | 132 | $39,583 | N/A | 6.4% | 20.4% |
| Kipp | 129 | N/A | N/A | 48.2% | 0.0% |
| Baileyville | 126 | N/A | $447,700 | 31.9% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 139, Peru's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Peru is a small community located in Kansas, within Chautauqua County. The total population is 139. It ranks as the 496th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Peru is 57.7 years. This is 54% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. Only 7.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 18.7% 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 $39,615. This is 47% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.7%. This is 66% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 14.8%. This is 278% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $37,500. Housing costs are 83% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.9x, Peru is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Peru is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 13.6%.
Education
12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Peru, Kansas 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 Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 721 Census-designated places in Kansas. 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, Kansas?
Peru, Kansas has a population of 139 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Peru, KS?
The median household income in Peru is $39,615, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Peru, KS?
The poverty rate in Peru is 18.7%. This means approximately 26 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Peru, Kansas?
Peru's population is 84.2% White, 0.0% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Peru, KS?
The median home value in Peru is $37,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.9x.
How educated is Peru, Kansas?
12.4% of adults (25+) in Peru hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.