Peru, IL Demographics

A map of Peru's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	8,389	8,304	85.8%	83.9%
Hispanic	1,067	933	10.9%	9.4%
Multiracial	147	321	1.5%	3.2%
Asian	79	173	0.8%	1.7%
Black	55	126	0.6%	1.3%
Native American/Other	38	39	0.4%	0.4%

Peru, Illinois has an estimated population of 9,775, a slight decrease from the 9,896 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 85.8% White, 10.9% Hispanic, 1.5% Multiracial, 0.8% Asian, 0.6% Black, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Peru, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Peru has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Illinois overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Peru, that probability was 28.5% in 2020 and 25.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Peru is ranked the 227th most populous place in Illinois, out of 1,461 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Peru was ranked the 225th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Peru's White Population

8,389 residents of Peru, or 85.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Peru is significantly higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Peru ranks 1036th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Peru's White population has grown by an estimated 1.0%. White residents' share of Peru's population has increased from 83.9% to 85.8%.

Peru is more White than neighboring LaSalle (75.8% White), Spring Valley (76.7% White), Cedar Point (84.7% White), and Ladd (83.2% White). Peru is less White than neighboring Dalzell (89.3% White).

Peru's Black Population

55 residents of Peru, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Peru is considerably lower than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Peru ranks 492nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Peru's Black population has declined by an estimated 56.3%. Black residents' share of Peru's population has decreased from 1.3% to 0.6%.

Peru is more Black than neighboring Dalzell (0% Black). Peru is less Black than neighboring LaSalle (4.1% Black), Spring Valley (0.7% Black), Cedar Point (5% Black), and Ladd (0.7% Black).

Peru's Asian Population

79 residents of Peru, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Peru is lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Peru ranks 266th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Peru's Asian population has declined by an estimated 54.3%. Asian residents' share of Peru's population has decreased from 1.7% to 0.8%.

Peru is more Asian than neighboring Dalzell (0% Asian), Spring Valley (0.5% Asian), Cedar Point (0% Asian), and Ladd (0% Asian). Peru is less Asian than neighboring LaSalle (1.3% Asian).

Peru's Hispanic Population

1,067 residents of Peru, or 10.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Peru is lower than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Peru ranks 271st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Peru's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 14.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Peru's population has increased from 9.4% to 10.9%.

Peru is more Hispanic than neighboring Dalzell (6.8% Hispanic), and Cedar Point (9.5% Hispanic). Peru is less Hispanic than neighboring LaSalle (16.6% Hispanic), Spring Valley (18.6% Hispanic), and Ladd (12.9% Hispanic).

Peru's Native American/Other Population

38 residents of Peru, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Peru is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Peru ranks 721st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Peru's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 2.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Peru's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Peru is more Native American/Other than neighboring Dalzell (0% Native American/Other), Cedar Point (0% Native American/Other), and Ladd (0% Native American/Other). Peru is less Native American/Other than neighboring LaSalle (0.8% Native American/Other), and Spring Valley (0.7% Native American/Other).

Peru's Multiracial Population

147 residents of Peru, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Peru is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Peru ranks 834th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Peru's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 54.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Peru's population has decreased from 3.2% to 1.5%.

Peru is more Multiracial than neighboring LaSalle (1.3% Multiracial), and Cedar Point (0.8% Multiracial). Peru is less Multiracial than neighboring Dalzell (3.9% Multiracial), Spring Valley (2.8% Multiracial), and Ladd (3.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.