Peru, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Peru, New York had a total population of 1,965, the 634th largest community in New York, with a median household income of $66,812, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
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 | 1,880 | 1,965 | +4.5% |
| Median household income | $69,671 | $66,812 | -4.1% |
| Median home value | $214,700 | $216,600 | +0.9% |
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: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Peru Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Clinton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plattsburgh | 19,830 | $57,630 | 22.7% | $195,900 |
| Dannemora | 2,684 | $62,411 | 13.8% | $134,400 |
| Keeseville | 2,570 | $62,063 | 17.9% | $120,900 |
| Rouses Point | 2,414 | $46,250 | 11.9% | $197,400 |
| Morrisonville | 1,950 | $90,430 | 4.6% | $205,200 |
| Cumberland Head | 1,535 | $108,182 | 1.4% | $205,200 |
| Plattsburgh West | 1,328 | $49,904 | 20.0% | $60,200 |
| Champlain | 1,270 | $65,000 | 12.5% | $122,700 |
| West Chazy | 867 | $105,898 | 0.0% | $93,800 |
| Altona | 544 | $39,000 | 50.8% | $187,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Bonaventure | 1,976 | N/A | $125,300 | 30.4% | 19.3% |
| Middleport | 1,987 | $67,375 | $115,400 | 22.0% | 7.6% |
| Weedsport | 1,954 | $70,865 | $166,800 | 27.4% | 16.6% |
| Holley | 1,927 | $64,600 | $122,600 | 22.9% | 10.6% |
| Hamilton College | 2,058 | N/A | N/A | 66.7% | 0.0% |
Population Overview
Peru is a small community located in New York, within Clinton County. The total population is 1,965. It ranks as the 634th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Peru is 37.7 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Peru is $66,812. This is 22% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $216,600. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 67.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Peru has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 7.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (85.4% vs 52.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 19.8%.
Education
33.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.0%. Notably, 16.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Peru, New York 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 New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. 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, New York?
Peru, New York has a population of 1,965 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Peru, NY?
The median household income in Peru is $66,812, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Peru, NY?
The poverty rate in Peru is 13.0%. This means approximately 253 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Peru, New York?
Peru's population is 85.4% White, 7.3% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Peru, NY?
The median home value in Peru is $216,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Peru, New York?
33.7% of adults (25+) in Peru hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.