| Peru, Indiana | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Peru downtown | |
| Nickname(s): Circus Capital of the World | |
| Location in the state of Indiana | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Miami |
| Founded | 1834 |
| Founder | William N. Hood |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Jim R. Walker (R) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.7 sq mi (12.1 km2) |
| • Land | 4.6 sq mi (12.0 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.1 km2) 0.86% |
| Elevation | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 11,417 |
| • Density | 2,815.5/sq mi (1,085.9/km2) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 46970-46971 |
| Area code(s) | 765 |
| FIPS code | 18-59328[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0441047[2] |
| Website | http://www.cityofperu.org/ |
Peru is a city in, and the county seat of, Miami County, Indiana, United States. The population was 11,417 at the 2010 census, making it the most populous city in Miami County[3].
Residents usually pronounce the name of Peru like the name of the South American nation of Peru. Elderly Hoosiers commonly use the archaic pronunciation of /ˈpɪəruː/ peer-oo.
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Peru was founded in 1834 by Jason C Smith.[4] Early in the 20th century, Peru was home to a pioneering automobile maker, Model Automobile Company;[5] like most others, Model did not survive.
On June 23, 1972, Martin J. McNally hijacked American Airlines Flight 119 from St. Louis to Tulsa. After receiving a ransom of $502,500 he jumped out of the back of a Boeing 727 in what was the 9th copycat hijacking of D.B. Cooper style of hijackings. The entire ransom as well as a weapon were found near Peru. A fingerprint led to his arrest.[6] The money had been found in a 45-pound sealed canvas mail bag by local farmer Lowell Elliott while working in his soybean farm. Another farmer Ronald Miller discovered a Spitfire submachine gun in his corn field when a blade hit it while applying liquid nitrogen.[7]
Peru is located at (40.757690, -86.067791)[8], along the banks of the Wabash River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12 km2), of which, 4.6 square miles (12 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (0.86%) is water. Peru is the largest town or city in Miami County, and is the site of the tribal headquarters of the Miami Nation.
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 8,463 |
|
|
| 1910 | 10,910 | 28.9% | |
| 1920 | 12,410 | 13.7% | |
| 1930 | 12,730 | 2.6% | |
| 1940 | 12,432 | −2.3% | |
| 1950 | 13,308 | 7.0% | |
| 1960 | 14,453 | 8.6% | |
| 1970 | 14,139 | −2.2% | |
| 1980 | 13,764 | −2.7% | |
| 1990 | 12,843 | −6.7% | |
| 2000 | 12,994 | 1.2% | |
| 2010 | 11,417 | −12.1% | |
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 12,994 people, 5,410 households, and 3,397 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,815.5 people per square mile (1,085.9/km²). There were 5,943 housing units at an average density of 1,287.7 per square mile (496.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.71% White, 2.95% African American, 1.52% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.
There were 5,410 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.2% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,668, and the median income for a family was $39,440. Males had a median income of $31,631 versus $20,440 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,497. About 9.5% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.
Peru was the winter headquarters for several famous circuses, including Ringling Brothers, Hagenbeck-Wallace, Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, and others.[9] The International Circus Hall of Fame is located in Peru, Indiana. Annually during the third weekend of July, the Peru Amateur Circus holds performances for the whole week, ending with a Circus City Festival and Parade. All of the performers are amateurs, ranging in age from 7 to 21 years. Peru is also the home of the world's only remaining manufacturer of steam calliopes.
Maria Rasputina, daughter of Grigori Rasputin, was mauled by a bear in Peru while working for the Ringling Brothers Circus. She survived.[10]
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