Peru, Nebraska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peru, Nebraska
|
|
|---|---|
Downtown Peru, 2011
|
|
Location of Peru, Nebraska
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Nemaha |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.53 sq mi (1.36 km2) |
| • Land | 0.53 sq mi (1.36 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,027 ft (313 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 648 |
| • Density | 1,231.94/sq mi (475.78/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
68421
|
| Area code(s) | 402 |
| FIPS code | 31-38960 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396191 |
| Website | City website |
Peru is a small city in Nemaha County, Nebraska, in the United States. In 2020, about 648 people lived there. It is also home to Peru State College, a well-known school.
Contents
History of Peru
The first people tried to settle this area in 1853. They came from a place called Peru, Illinois. However, soldiers from Fort Kearny made them leave. This was because the Nebraska Territory belonged to the Otoe tribe at that time.
The settlers then moved temporarily across the Missouri River to Sonora. In 1857, a new community started. It grew around a trading post called Mount Vernon. This post was on the bluffs above the river in Nebraska.
Later in 1857, settlers officially founded the city of Peru. It was built down the hill from Mount Vernon, right next to the Missouri River. In 1861, a Methodist school opened. It was called Mount Vernon Academy.
By 1867, this school became Peru State College. It was the very first "normal school" in Nebraska. A normal school was a place that trained teachers. Floods in the 1860s changed the river's path. The Missouri River moved almost a mile away from Peru.
Geography of Peru
Peru is located in Nemaha County, Nebraska. The city covers a total area of about 0.53 square miles (1.36 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
People of Peru
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 567 | — | |
| 1890 | 624 | 10.1% | |
| 1900 | 848 | 35.9% | |
| 1910 | 950 | 12.0% | |
| 1920 | 783 | −17.6% | |
| 1930 | 835 | 6.6% | |
| 1940 | 1,024 | 22.6% | |
| 1950 | 1,265 | 23.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,151 | −9.0% | |
| 1970 | 1,380 | 19.9% | |
| 1980 | 998 | −27.7% | |
| 1990 | 1,110 | 11.2% | |
| 2000 | 569 | −48.7% | |
| 2010 | 865 | 52.0% | |
| 2020 | 648 | −25.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Peru Population in 2010
In 2010, there were 865 people living in Peru. These people made up 225 households. About 99 of these were families. The city had about 1632 people per square mile.
Most of the people in Peru were White (91.8%). Other groups included African American (4.3%), Native American (0.9%), and Asian (0.3%). Some people were from other races (1.0%) or two or more races (1.6%). About 3.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 22.2% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.35 people. The average family had 2.95 people.
The average age in the city was 21.4 years old. Many residents (56.7%) were between 18 and 24 years old. This is likely because of the college in town.
Peru and the Republic of Peru
In 2011, the city of Peru, Nebraska, was chosen for a special project. The country of Republic of Peru picked it for their "Marca Perú" campaign. This campaign helps promote national pride in the country of Peru.
A film crew and famous people from the country of Peru visited the city. These included a surfing champion, a singer, and a chef. They filmed a commercial that looked like a documentary.
During their visit, a singer dressed in traditional Peruvian clothes led a llama through the streets. People at a street festival enjoyed Peruvian foods. They also tried Peruvian soft drinks like Inca Kola. The Peruvian surfing team even showed off their moves on tarpaulins.
As a fun touch, an accent mark was painted on the "u" of the city's water tower. This made it look more like the name of the country, Perú.
Education in Peru
Peru State College is located in Peru, Nebraska. It was the first college ever established in Nebraska.
Notable People from Peru
- Herbert Brownell Jr., who served as the United States Attorney General, was born in Peru.
- Samuel Gordon Daily, a member of the United States Congress, lived in Peru.
Images for kids
-
Downtown Peru, 2011
-
Location of Peru, Nebraska
See also
In Spanish: Peru (Nebraska) para niños
