Peru, NE

Nebraska

Peru is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 691. Residents earn $41,875 per year, which is 44% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
691 Population 1,304/sq mi density
$41,875 Median Income $18,950 per capita
$85,900 Home Value $141,585 Zillow
$504 Median Rent 24.5% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$41,875 median income, 6.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$85,900 home value, $504/mo rent
B+
Education
4.0 / 5.0
37.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,875
44% lower than US avg
Home Value $85,900
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 37.0%
10% higher than US avg
Median Rent $504
57% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.7%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.7%
86% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.9%
44% lower than US avg

How Peru Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population691
Median Age21.5 yrs
Density1,304/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 85%
Veterans1.5%

Economy

B
Median Income$41,875
Per Capita$18,950
Unemployment6.7%
Poverty6.9%
County GDP$1,065M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$85,900
Rent$504
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$141,585
Rent Burden24.5%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.6%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain32.3 in/yr
Elevation1,028 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+37.0%
High School+93.1%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 27%
Commute15 min
Broadband89.7%
Libraries1

Is Peru a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Peru receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Peru stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Peru is $41,875, 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.7% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Peru is $85,900, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $504 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 37.0% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 93.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Peru experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.3 inches, including 30.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Peru has a population of 691 with a density of 1,304 people per square mile. The median age is 21.5 years, 45% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84.5%), with 4.3% Hispanic, 4.9% Black.

Population

691
Total Population
1,304
People / sq mi
21.5yrs
Median Age
45% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.2%
Female 43.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Peru vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.5%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.5%
44% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Peru vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Peru is $41,875, which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Peru vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,875
44% below US avg
Per Capita Income$18,950
Avg Weekly Wage$1,297
IRS Avg AGI$77,953

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.7%
86% above US avg
Poverty Rate6.9%
44% below US avg
Establishments (County)221
County GDP$1,065M

Business (County)

Restaurants18
Healthcare20
Retail24
Manufacturing6

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,475
1% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.1 min
Drive Alone55.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Peru is $85,900, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $504 (57% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $141,585.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$85,900
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$141,585

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$504
57% below US avg
Rent Burden24.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$706
1 Bedroom$791
2 Bedrooms$1,001
3 Bedrooms$1,274
4 Bedrooms$1,409

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,475
1% below US avg
Effective Rate4.05%
In Peru, 41.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 18.6% report depression. 26.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Peru vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.7%
30% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure29.4%
Asthma9.6%
COPD5.8%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.6%
Physical Inactivity26.2%
Depression18.6%
Mental Distress15.1%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.5%
Checkup Rate73.7%
Premature Death9,244/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access58.2%
Healthcare Facilities20

Crime Rates: Peru vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Peru has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average52.4°F
3% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.3 inches
15% below US avg
Snowfall30.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,028 ft (313 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density1,304/sq mi
Coordinates40.4785°N, 95.7314°W
County FIPS31127
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 37.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (10% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 44.7-point margin. 89.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.5%
D 26.8%

Winner: Republican by 44.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+37.0%
10% above US avg
High School+93.1%
School Test Score5.81
B+ Education Grade (4.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,304/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.7%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities20
Restaurants18
Retail Stores24

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.1 min
Drive Alone55.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.8%

Nearby Cities

Compare Peru with another city: