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Peru, IN

Frequently asked questions

Peru, IN 

Peru is a city in, and the county seat of, Miami County, Indiana, United States. It is 73 miles (117 km) north of Indianapolis. The population was 11,073 at the 2020 census, making it the most populous community in Miami County. Peru is located along the Wabash River and is part of the Kokomo-Peru Combined Statistical Area. Residents of Peru usually pronounce the name of Peru like the name of the nation of Peru as it is commonly pronounced in American English. Elderly Hoosiers commonly use the archaic pronunciation of PEE-roo.

On August 18, 1827, Joseph Holman bought land near the confluence of the Mississinewa and Wabash rivers from Jean Baptiste "Pechewa" (Wildcat) Drouet de Richardville, the chief of the Miami people. The sale was approved on March 3, 1828, by President John Quincy Adams. On March 12, 1829, Holman had the land surveyed and laid out the town of Miamisport.

Peru was founded in 1834 by William N. Hood, who had bought 210 acres (85 hectares) of land from Miamisport's founder Joseph Holman five years earlier. By 1835, the court was being held in Peru rather than Miamisport, and the name "Miamisport" quietly disappeared as Peru became the dominant community in the area. Frances Slocum was reunited with members of her family near Peru in 1837, after nearly sixty years of living among Native Americans.

Peru is located in north-central Indiana, in central Miami County, 14 miles (23 km) west of Wabash and 16 miles (26 km) east of Logansport. Indianapolis, the state capital, is 73 miles (117 km) to the south, and South Bend is 71 miles (114 km) to the north.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Peru has a total area of 5.14 square miles (13.31 km2), of which 5.06 square miles (13.11 km2) are land and 0.09 square miles (0.23 km2), or 1.69%, is water. The Wabash River flows east to west through the city, south of the downtown area. Across the river, within the city limits, is the neighborhood of South Peru. The Mississinewa River joins the Wabash 1 mile (1.6 km) east (upstream) of the city limits.

Peru is the largest town or city in Miami County and is the site of the tribal headquarters of the Miami Nation. Peru's water treatment plant tested negative for PFC in September 2015.

Peru focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Miami County Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Miami County YMCA and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Peru, such as the Lost Sister Trail, Blue Heron Trail, and Moswa Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Peru, Indiana are Roxy Theater, Circus City Festival Museum, and the Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre.

Population: 11,003 (2024). ZIP codes: 46970-46971. Area code: 765. Elevation: 689 feet (210 meters). Area: 5.14 sq mi (13.32 km2).

FAQs

What is Peru, Indiana known for?

Peru is known as the Circus Capital of the World for a big reason. Starting in 1884 when a Livery Stable owner named Ben Wallace took his first circus on the road, Peru began a circus winter quarters legacy that would last 60 years. Wallace had huge success with his circuses; within the first two years of establishing himself, he had gone from a traveling horse and wagon show out of his farm on Route 124, about 6 miles east of Peru, to moving across the country on rails.

What is the crime rate in Peru, IN?

The crime rate in Peru is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 29 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Peru is 1 in 34. Based on FBI crime data, Peru is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Indiana, Peru has a crime rate that is higher than 93% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

What is the ethnicity of Peru Indiana?

Peru, IN is home to a population of 10.9k people, from which 99.9% are citizens. As of 2022, 0.184% of Peru, IN residents were born outside of the country (20 people). In 2022, there were 18.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (9.38k people) in Peru, IN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 512 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 491 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Peru, IN

Miami County Parks and Recreation Department 

Miami County YMCA 

Anytime Fitness

Lost Sister Trail

Blue Heron Trail 

Moswa Trail

Roxy Theater 

Circus City Festival Museum 

Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre

Rails to Trails

Neighborhoodscout

DataUSA

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