Located along the Wabash River, Peru, Indiana is a small city of north central Indiana. With a population of around 11,000 residents, its economy is supported by a variety of industries ranging from the Duke Hospital System to Smithfield Packaged Meats. The city is also known as the tribal headquarters for the Miami Nation and is home to the world’s only remaining manufacturer of steam calliopes – a musical instrument made of large whistles. The steam calliope remains important to Peru because of the area's former role as the winter headquarters for circus acts, like that of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Today, Peru showcases this history through its International Circus Hall of Fame and related events. “It’s a town full of good people,” Rebekah Slack of Miles Realty Group says. “And there’s a lot of good that Peru has to offer its citizens and visitors, and there’s a lot of good coming to Peru.”
Peru sits along the edge of the Wabash River.
Peru showcases it's history through its International Circus Hall of Fame and related events.
1/2
Peru housing markets on the rise, but still far below national median
Slack says housing affordability is one of the things that draws people to Peru and one of the reasons many houses don’t stay on the market for too long. “Anything between $100,000 and $150,000 gets snatched up pretty quickly,” she says. The median home price in Peru is $133,000, which is far below the national median. Housing styles in Peru range from Colonial Revivals and cottages to bungalows and saltbox designs. Most homes here fall within the $100,000 to $300,000 range and while home prices remain relatively low, Slack says they are rising a bit. Home prices stagnated in Peru from the mid-2000s to recent years, and they’re now making a “market correction,” she says.
Most homes in Peru fall within the $100,000 to $300,000 range.
Housing styles in Peru range from Colonial Revivals and cottages to bungalows and saltbox designs.
1/2
Peru Amateur Circus Festival celebrates city’s history
While circuses may no longer migrate to Peru for the winter, the city still honors its place in circus history every July with the Peru Amateur Circus Festival and Parade. This eight-day festival features 10 circus performances and over 200 amateur circus performers. “Some of the acts are very daring,” Slack says. “As a mother, I get a little apprehensive watching the kids flip around in the air or walk on tightropes.” There are also carnival rides, vendors, food and a parade. Some years, the festival also includes performances on historic calliopes.
Riverside parks and walking trails, plus Frances Slocum State Forest
A lot of Peru's outdoor recreation is found along the riverfront. At the aptly named Peru Riverwalk Park, a paved walking trail runs parallel to the Wabash River and the site also features a skate park and pickleball courts too. Nearby, West City Park, has a playground and baseball fields. Peru also borders the Frances Slocum State Forest, which features 515 acres of forest landscape. It’s popular with hikers, hunters, anglers and mushroom hunters. There’s also an equestrian trail.
Peru's Riverwalk features pickleball courts.
The skate park at Peru's Riverwalk Park is a busy place on a warm sunny day.
1/2
Coffee shop and pancake house are popular in Peru
Downtown Peru is lively and local businesses, cocktail lounges, cafes and restaurants line its street. Slack says Aroma Coffee Shop and Gabriel’s Pancake House are two popular breakfast spots, while Garden Gate Café is a good spot for lunch. For dinner, she says Legend’s Cocktail Lounge has some of the best food in town, serving up dishes like seafood ravioli, filet kabobs and a wide selection of burgers.
Peru's Garden Gate Café is a favorite spot for locals to grab lunch.
Legend’s Cocktail Lounge has some of the best food in Peru, serving up dishes like seafood ravioli, filet kabobs and a wide selection of burgers.
1/2
Highway access gives Peru quick access to Fort Wayne, Indianapolis
Peru is located near the junction of state highways 24 and 31, which connects to Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, respectively. Fort Wayne International is the closest airport to the city, 55 miles away, and offers flights to Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul and St. Petersburg and Punta Gorda in Florida. Indianapolis International Airport offers additional commercial flights and is 87 miles away. The closest hospital is Dukes Memorial Hospital, in downtown.
Peru Community Schools system offers solid schools for students
Peru is part of the Peru Community Schools system, which earns an overall B rating from Niche. There’s one school for students in prekindergarten through second grade, one school for students in third through sixth grades, and a combined junior/senior high school for grades seven through 12. Peru High School has an 86% graduation rate and a 17:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
Peru High School receives an overall Niche grade of B-.
Elmwood Primary Learning Center receives an overall Niche grade of A-.
1/2
Tornados and flooding are risks in Peru
As is common throughout the state of Indiana, Peru does experience its share of tornados. While not as frequent or intense as storms in Tornado Alley, they do occur here. Slack says that its her perception that the southside of the county seems to experience more tornados than Peru. There's also flood risk here. While the construction of the Mississinewa Dam has substantially mitigated the problem, the city's still at risk because of its proximity to the Wabash River. Recent crime data is not readily available for Peru.
Written By
Tanner Harding
Photography Contributed By
Travis Patton
Video By
Melinda Anselmo
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Andy Hardie,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Peru, IN sell after 60 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Peru, IN over the last 12 months is $143,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this stunning 3-bedroom, 2-bath custom-built home in Sunset Ridge. From the covered front porch to the rear patio, this home offers all the extras. The kitchen is built to impress with a spacious island, pantry, upgraded stainless steel appliance package, and attractive leather-finish marble countertops. The primary suite boasts a tray ceiling, walk-in closet, and en-suite bath
Welcome home to 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths on a little over a quarter of an acre in Parkview Heights! Enjoy the tranquility of a fenced-in back yard with mature trees on the lot. Fresh paint on the cedar-sided exterior. 1.5-car attached garage. Large kitchen with appliances included; family room with fireplace. Main sewer line replaced in February 2026. Improvements within the past 5 years: water
There's plenty of space at this conveniently located home close to the heart of Peru. 3 parcels included in this sale, totaling about .65 acre! The home has 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths; plus a 1-car detached garage and two carports. Original woodwork and hardwood floors through much of the house. Appliances and sump pump included. New windows & siding; new cellar door; new AC; new mini-split (for
Put your tool belt on for this amazing opportunity! beautiful and serene location for this 4 bdrm 3 bath ranch with metal roof. Offers owners suite with private bath ..large kitchen, living and family spaces. partial basement and attached garage. on over 1/2 an acre. furnace 8 yrs, water heater 3 yrs. Make this home your own vision of comfort with a few renovations.
Welcome home to this bright and well-maintained two-bedroom, one-bath property located in a charming small-town setting. Natural light pours in through the many windows, highlighting the open living and dining areas that provide a comfortable and inviting space for everyday living and entertaining. The kitchen is efficient and thoughtfully designed, offering generous counter space and abundant
Recently updated and move-in ready, this 4-bedroom home offers comfort, functionality, and peace of mind with numerous improvements throughout. Step inside to find fresh paint and a combination of new carpet and durable vinyl plank flooring, creating a clean and inviting atmosphere. Major mechanical updates include a new furnace, central air, updated 200 amp electrical service with a new panel,
Welcome home to this 3-bed, 1 1/2-bath house filled with turn-of-the-century charm and featuring a large side yard on almost 1/4 acre! Spacious dining/living area with plenty of natural light throughout the house. Kitchen island and stainless steel prep table complete the kitchen. Main-level laundry room. 2-car detached garage; dog kennel. New 200-amp electric panel and new plumbing. Sale
Move-in ready and close to the heart of Peru with 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a large yard, and a new deck! New flooring, paint, and lighting throughout. Large, completely remodeled kitchen and completely remodeled bathroom. New roof and siding. New electrical and plumbing. New water heater. 2-car detached garage.
This conveniently located 0.71+/- acre residential lot is ready for a home! Situated just west of Peru in the Wabash River Estates this lot offers a storage barn and electric and natural gas hook-up nearby. This property’s prime location offers quick access to the town of Peru as well as access to US-31 which will lead to Rochester to the north or Kokomo to the south.
Character and potential abound in this home with three bedrooms and two baths and a full basement. Walk into a large living room with a breakfast nook, galley style kitchen with an abundance of oak cabinetry. A family room with a gas log fireplace. A bedroom on the first floor and another on the second floor with a landing that previously served as an additional bedroom. Lots of built in
This 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home sits on a corner lot and offers over 2,000 square feet of updated living space. Recent updates include new flooring throughout, Bluetooth-enabled light and fan fixtures, new vinyl siding, and the replacement of nearly all windows and doors. The main-floor bathroom and laundry room have been updated to include a freestanding soaking tub. Financing Information: This
Build your dream home in Miami County's premier neighborhood! This .95 acre lot in the Hidden Hills neighborhood would make a beautiful homesite. High speed internet and electric available. Covenants and Restrictions are available for review.
Welcome to our newly remodeled apartments in Peru, IN! Situated in a convenient location, these apartments offer a comfortable and modern living experience. Each unit comes equipped with a stove, refrigerator, and microwave, making it easy to prepare meals and entertain guests. The stainless steel appliances add a touch of elegance to the space. With the recent remodel, you'll enjoy updated
Wabash River Commons is a new community offering great amenities with views that overlook the Wabash river and is conveniently located right next to the Peru YMCA.
The feeling of home is clearly evident here at Hilltop Ridge. Beautifully landscaped grounds welcome you to this multi-family community. Once inside on of our spacious 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment homes, you will see patios or balconies for relaxation, expansive bedrooms, convenient washer/dryer hookups, and spacious living accommodations.This is located in the Maconaquah School
Property Id: 1213167Are you searching for your new place to live? Just FOLLOW these steps to END YOUR SEARCH. 1. CALL 2. SCHEDULE a TOUR3. ATTEND the TOUR4. SUBMIT a RENTAL APPLICATION(s).5. Wait patiently while we verify it MEETS our BASIC RENTAL REQUIRMENTS such as, an applicant's monthly income MUST BE 3Xs 1 month's rent or an applicant CANNOT have any FELONIES.
This spacious three bedroom home with one full bathroom has a large open living room space. The kitchen has plenty of counter space. This home comes with refrigerator, stove, washer and dryer. There is a one car attached garage with a garage door opener. There is a large fenced in backyard with mini shed for additional storage. Please to avoid being scammed please reach out to a Realtor to
Welcome to our spacious 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment located in Peru, IN. This upstairs level unit features a refrigerator and stove in the kitchen, perfect for preparing meals and storing groceries. With off-street parking available, you'll never have to worry about finding a spot for your vehicle. This unit also offers a beautiful sun room as well as 2 entry ways into the apartment! Don't
This 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home offers approximately 1,148 sq ft of comfortable living space with air conditioning, heat, and laundry hookups. The kitchen includes a refrigerator, stove/oven, and dishwasher, and the home features vinyl floors with carpeted areas, walk-in closets, and extra storage. Enjoy the convenience of a carport, plus a pet-friendly, smoke-free community with trash included.
+ garage (Cozy 2-bed home with one bath, ideal starter space.) Nestled in a park-like setting, our newly renovated community at Eagle's Pointe offers a serene escape with single-family home living for all of our residents. As an Equal Opportunity Housing community, we're committed to providing a welcoming place to live for everyone.With homes ranging from 2–4 bedrooms, Eagle's Pointe
+ Garage (Well-sized family layout with two full baths) Nestled in a park-like setting, our newly renovated community at Eagle's Pointe offers a serene escape with single-family home living for all of our residents. As an Equal Opportunity Housing community, we're committed to providing a welcoming place to live for everyone.With homes ranging from 2–4 bedrooms, Eagle's Pointe offers
This 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers approximately 1,334 sq ft of spacious living with air conditioning, heat, and laundry hookups. The kitchen includes a refrigerator, stove/oven, and dishwasher, and the home features vinyl floors with carpeted areas plus walk-in closets. Enjoy the convenience of a carport in a pet-friendly (dog-friendly), smoke-free community with trash included. Nestled in
+ Garage Nestled in a park-like setting, our newly renovated community at Eagle's Pointe offers a serene escape with single-family home living for all of our residents. As an Equal Opportunity Housing community, we're committed to providing a welcoming place to live for everyone.With homes ranging from 2–4 bedrooms, Eagle's Pointe offers a wide range of affordable living options, all
Two Bedroom House for Rent371 W 12th St Unit 17 Peru, IN$700/month$700 deposit Tenant pays gas electricThis cute, single story home has new vinyl plank flooring in the kitchen and bathroom. It features an open layout.No pets please. This property is available for self showings Monday-Friday 9-5. Text a picture of your government issued, photo id along
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
