Living in Peru, Illinois, 100 miles west of Chicago
Once an industrial center of northern Illinois, Peru’s major employers are now the Peru Mall, Target and a mix of small industrial and retail businesses. The city’s population peaked at around 12,000 in the 1970s, and it is now home to a population of roughly 10,000. “Everybody knows everybody,” says Ryan Jeppson, tattoo artist and owner of Stigma Tattoo on 4th Street in Peru. “I’m heavily tattooed, but I don’t get any crazy looks or anything because everyone recognizes me. I kind of ventured out to different places, got married and had kids, then made my permanent living here.” A handful of locally owned shops and restaurants downtown, with community amenities and outdoor opportunities beyond city limits, provide residents with everyday needs without having to go far.
Originally known for it's steamboat ports, Peru embraces a true blue-collar mentality.
Historic Peru, IL was founded in 1835 and has a current population of 9,896.
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Homes spend less time on the market than the national average
Homes in the city come in a mix of ages and styles, from early twentieth-century bungalows to newly constructed, modern ranch-style homes. Older homes needing repair sell for around $70,000, and fully updated homes built after the turn of the century typically sell as high as $400,000, though some larger homes attract higher prices. The median home price is around $170,000, less than half the national median. “Homes are going pretty quick because the town is very kept up,” Jeppson says. On average, Peru homes spend just 28 days on the market, just over half the national average of 45 days.
Modern ranch style homes homes in Peru are priced around $170,000.
Many updated early twentieth-century bungalow homes can be seen throughout Peru.
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The Illinois River and other opportunities for boating and fishing
“There are a decent amount of parks and a very nice YMCA,” Jeppson says. “And with the Illinois River here, we got a lot of boating going on.” The Illinois River runs through the south side of the city, and its shores hold walking trails and parks like Starved Rock State Park and Buffalo Rock State Park. There are 10 public parks within Peru, offering picnic shelters, playgrounds, trails and more. The area’s small lakes and well-kept state parks make fishing and camping popular activities in the region.
Your kids will love riding a bike to the baseball field at St. Mary's Park in Peru.
Residents of Peru can enjoy elevated views of the Illinois River at Starved Rock State Park.
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LaSalle-Peru Township High School earns a B-plus
Peru Elementary School District No. 124, which comprises Northview Elementary School and Parkside Middle School, serves most of Peru’s students. The district earns an overall B-minus on Niche and maintains a 13-1 student-teacher ratio with roughly 950 students. High schoolers attend LaSalle-Peru Township High School, which earns a B-plus. Private school options include Peru Catholic School and St. Bede Academy.
LaSalle-Peru Township High School offers plenty of AP and Honors courses.
After school programs at Northview Elementary School in Peru are plentiful.
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A brief history of industry at the Westclox Museum
Along 4th Street, the stretch of businesses like Stigma Tattoo Studio make up Peru’s small downtown area. Jeppson, who has been tattooing for thirteen years, says people in the city enjoy supporting local businesses like his, though there aren’t many shops. “There are a bunch of food places, but there’s not really a downtown shopping area,” he says. Restaurants along 4th Street sell American fare, barbecue and pizza. Along Illinois State Route 251, the city’s northside holds the Peru Mall and national chains like Target, Home Depot and Menards. Along 5th Street, the historic Western Clock Company building houses the Westclox Museum, showcasing the history of one of the city’s former companies, along with dining and retail.
The Peru mall features an AMC movie theatre, Marshalls, Buckle, Bath & Body Works, and more.
Located in downtown Peru, Thyme Craft Kitchen features farm-fresh ingredients in a variety of dishes.
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Young anglers win big at the Lock 14 Kid’s Fishing Tournament
Community events bring residents together for holidays, fireworks, live music and more. The opening of Washington Park’s splash pad is a popular family event in the spring. Summer is celebrated with events like the Lock 14 Kid’s Fishing Tournament and the 4th of July Fireworks Display on Water Street. Music Under the Oaks, the city’s summer concert series, runs from late May to mid-August. Closing out the year, the city comes together for its annual Halloween Parade in October and its annual Lighted Christmas Parade in December.
Downtown Chicago is 100 miles east on Interstate 80
Peru’s gridded residential streets are lined with sidewalks, but the city has no public transportation. Illinois State Route 251 connects drivers to Interstate 39, which runs along the eastern edge of Peru. Interstate 80 runs through the north side of town and puts downtown Chicago about 100 miles east. Charter and private flights can fly in and out of the Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru, but the nearest major airport is the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, 67 miles southwest in Peoria. OSF Healthcare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center Peru provides emergency and family health care services.
Cold winters, even without much Lake Effect
Limited crime data from the FBI indicates Peru’s property and violent crime rates are commonly below state and national rates. The Illinois River creates a risk of flooding, while air quality in Peru is better than most other cities in Illinois, highlighting the outdoorsy living. Even though the city sits about 100 miles west of Lake Michigan, winters bring sharp winds and annual snowfalls of about 12 inches. “We definitely get some snow around here,” Jeppson says. “I wouldn’t say we get much Lake Effect because we’re about an hour and a half away from the city, but we have some harsh winters here.” Summers tend to be mild, with temperatures peaking around the mid-80s in July.
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