Peru, IL

Census place 1759234 · pop 9,775

D51/ 100
😐 Meh
D
in IL
📍 Illinois ranks #39 of 50 states →
🏆 Cost$154,300 · top 15%
🚽 Broadband83.9% · bottom 9%
Taxes
1.82% property · US 0.99%8.96% sales · US 7.00%4.95% flat income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Broadband access83.9%9

U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities

83.9% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Unemployment rateCounty-level4.9%14

U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities

4.9% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Property-tax burden1.82%14

U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities

1.82% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Population growth (5yr)-0.2%28

U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities

-0.2% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Bachelor's degree or higher23.1%31

U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities

23.1% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Property crime rate1695/100k37

U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities

1695 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Adult obesity36.3%41

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

36.3% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Violent crime rate226/100k45

U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities

226 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Adult smoking13.5%48

U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities

13.5% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Median household income$74,80850

U.S. median $67,857 · better than most cities

$74,808 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Physical inactivity24.1%56

U.S. median 26.5% · better than most cities

24.1% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Poverty rate9.0%63

U.S. median 12.1% · better than most cities

9.0% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Poor mental health16.2%63

U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities

16.2% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Uninsured adults8.0%66

U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities

8.0% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Income inequality0.4173

U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities

Gini 0.41 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Homeownership75.0%77

U.S. median 67.2% · better than most cities

75.0% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level63/10081

U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities

63/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Commute time19 min83

U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities

19 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Housing cost$154,30085

U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities

$154,300 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Not measured for Peru: Air, Bad air, Rent. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.

Frequently asked

Is Peru, IL a good place to live?
By the numbers, Peru scores 51/100 — a D (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 19 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is housing cost and its weakest is broadband access. Illinois overall ranks #39 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Peru, IL?
Peru reports 226 violent crimes per 100k and 1695 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Peru, IL expensive to live in?
Peru has a median home value of $154,300 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Peru, IL?
Its weakest measured area is broadband access (83.9%) — 9/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Peru, IL best at?
Its strongest measured area is housing cost ($154,300) — 85/100, better than most U.S. cities.

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.