Peru, IN

Census place 1859328 · pop 10,901

D−48/ 100
🫤 Rough
D−
in IN
📍 Indiana ranks #18 of 50 states →
🏆 Cost$92,500 · top 2%
🚽 Obesity45.5% · bottom 3%
Taxes
0.73% property · US 0.99%7.00% sales · US 7.00%2.95% flat income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Adult obesity45.5%3

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

45.5% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Adult smoking21.0%4

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

21.0% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Population growth (5yr)-5.9%6

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

-5.9% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Median household income$46,1597

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

$46,159 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Poverty rate23.6%10

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

23.6% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Poor mental health20.0%11

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

20.0% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Bachelor's degree or higher16.4%13

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

16.4% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Unemployment rateCounty-level4.5%21

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

4.5% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Physical inactivity30.9%22

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

30.9% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Broadband access89.5%35

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

89.5% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Uninsured adults9.8%47

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

9.8% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Commute time22 min62

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

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

Homeownership71.3%70

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

71.3% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Property-tax burden0.73%70

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

0.73% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Income inequality0.4074

U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities

Gini 0.40 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Violent crime rate73/100k79

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

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

Property crime rate219/100k91

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

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

Natural disaster riskCounty-level28/10096

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

28/100 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.

Housing cost$92,50098

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

$92,500 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, IN a good place to live?
By the numbers, Peru scores 48/100 — a D− (Rough) 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 adult obesity. Indiana overall ranks #18 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, IN?
Peru reports 73 violent crimes per 100k and 219 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Peru, IN expensive to live in?
Peru has a median home value of $92,500 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Peru, IN?
Its weakest measured area is adult obesity (45.5%) — 3/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Peru, IN best at?
Its strongest measured area is housing cost ($92,500) — 98/100, 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.