Peru, Massachusetts
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Population change since 2000: +3.2%
 |
| Males: 437 |  (51.6%) |
| Females: 410 |  (48.4%) |
| Median resident age: | 44.4 years |
| Massachusetts median age: | 39.2 years |
Zip codes: 01235.
| Peru: | $84,594 |
| MA: | $94,488 |
Estimated per capita income in 2022: $41,800 (it was $18,636 in 2000)
Peru town income, earnings, and wages data
Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $260,199 (it was $97,300 in 2000)
| Peru: | $260,199 |
| MA: | $534,700 |
Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: $357,971; detached houses: $376,086; townhouses or other attached units: $341,816; in 2-unit structures: $250,940; in 3-to-4-unit structures: $400,871; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $281,990; mobile homes: $80,872
Detailed information about poverty and poor residents in Peru, MA
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- 82997.9%White alone
- 80.9%Black alone
- 40.5%Two or more races
- 30.4%American Indian alone
- 30.4%Asian alone
Races in Peru detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth
Recent articles from our blog. Our writers, many of them Ph.D. graduates or candidates, create easy-to-read articles on a wide variety of topics.
Recent posts about Peru, Massachusetts on our local forum with over 2,400,000 registered users. Peru is mentioned 78 times on our forum:
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Latest news from Peru, MA collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations
Ancestries: French (19.9%), Irish (17.9%), English (16.3%), German (15.1%), Italian (10.4%), Polish (8.2%).
Current Local Time: EST time zone
Incorporated in 1771
Elevation: 2064 feet
Land area: 25.9 square miles.
Population density: 33 people per square mile (very low).
8 residents are foreign born
| This town: | 1.0% |
| Massachusetts: | 12.2% |
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000:
| Peru town: | 1.6% ($1,519) |
| Massachusetts: | 1.3% ($2,336) |
Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Chicopee, MA 
(29.9 miles , pop. 54,653).
Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Boston, MA (100.3 miles , pop. 589,141).
Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Bronx, NY (118.1 miles , pop. 1,332,650).
Nearest cities:
Hinsdale, MA (1.8 miles ),
), Windsor, MA (2.2 miles ),
), Worthington, MA (2.5 miles ),
), Dalton, MA (2.5 miles ),
), Middlefield, MA (2.5 miles ),
), Cummington, MA (2.6 miles ),
), Washington, MA (2.7 miles ),
), Plainfield, MA (2.9 miles )
)Latitude: 42.44 N, Longitude: 73.05 W
Area code commonly used in this area: 413
Single-family new house construction building permits:
- 2022: 1 building, cost: $140,000
- 2021: 1 building, cost: $140,000
- 2019: 2 buildings, average cost: $133,900
- 2018: 2 buildings, average cost: $133,900
- 2017: 1 building, cost: $229,000
- 2016: 1 building, cost: $229,000
- 2014: 4 buildings, average cost: $155,000
- 2013: 3 buildings, average cost: $155,000
- 2011: 1 building, cost: $68,000
- 2010: 5 buildings, average cost: $161,600
- 2009: 4 buildings, average cost: $233,300
- 2008: 3 buildings, average cost: $233,300
- 2007: 3 buildings, average cost: $197,500
- 2006: 3 buildings, average cost: $149,500
- 2005: 9 buildings, average cost: $160,100
- 2004: 11 buildings, average cost: $151,100
- 2003: 7 buildings, average cost: $137,200
- 2002: 6 buildings, average cost: $137,200
- 2001: 1 building, cost: $250,000
- 2000: 1 building, cost: $250,000
- 1999: 6 buildings, average cost: $60,000
- 1998: 6 buildings, average cost: $60,000
- 1997: 5 buildings, average cost: $60,000
| Here: | 4.6% |
| Massachusetts: | 3.5% |
- Educational services (12.2%)
- Health care (11.7%)
- Construction (10.3%)
- Paper (9.4%)
- Accommodation & food services (5.9%)
- Finance & insurance (3.3%)
- Food & beverage stores (3.3%)
- Construction (18.1%)
- Paper (12.8%)
- Educational services (7.8%)
- Accommodation & food services (4.5%)
- Printing & related support activities (4.1%)
- Real estate & rental & leasing (3.7%)
- Department & other general merchandise stores (2.9%)
- Health care (24.5%)
- Educational services (17.9%)
- Accommodation & food services (7.6%)
- Finance & insurance (6.5%)
- Paper (4.9%)
- Public administration (4.9%)
- Food & beverage stores (3.8%)
- Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (6.3%)
- Other production occupations, including supervisors (6.1%)
- Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (5.6%)
- Metal workers and plastic workers (4.2%)
- Retail sales workers, except cashiers (4.2%)
- Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (4.0%)
- Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (4.0%)
- Other production occupations, including supervisors (9.5%)
- Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (8.6%)
- Metal workers and plastic workers (7.4%)
- Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (6.6%)
- Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (6.6%)
- Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (4.9%)
- Retail sales workers, except cashiers (4.5%)
- Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (10.9%)
- Secretaries and administrative assistants (7.6%)
- Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (7.1%)
- Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (4.9%)
- Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks (4.9%)
- Retail sales workers, except cashiers (3.8%)
- Customer service representatives (3.8%)
Average climate in Peru, Massachusetts
Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations
(lower is better)
Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2022 was 63.5. This is about average.
| City: | 63.5 |
| U.S.: | 72.6 |
Ozone [ppb] level in 2022 was 27.5. This is better than average. Closest monitor was 7.9 miles away from the city center.
| City: | 27.5 |
| U.S.: | 33.3 |
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) [µg/m3] level in 2022 was 6.50. This is better than average. Closest monitor was 9.9 miles away from the city center.
| City: | 6.50 |
| U.S.: | 8.11 |
Tornado activity:
Peru-area historical tornado activity is slightly above Massachusetts state average. It is 16% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 8/28/1973, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 19.1 miles away from the Peru town center killed 4 people and injured 36 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.
On 5/29/1995, a category F4 tornado 19.6 miles away from the town center killed 3 people and injured 24 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Peru-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Massachusetts state average. It is 69% smaller than the overall U.S. average.On 10/7/1983 at 10:18:46, a magnitude 5.3 (5.1 MB, 5.3 LG, 5.1 ML, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 123.5 miles away from the city center
On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.3 (5.3 ML, Depth: 3.0 mi) earthquake occurred 147.2 miles away from Peru center
On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MB, 4.2 MS, 5.2 MW, 5.0 MW) earthquake occurred 145.7 miles away from Peru center
On 1/19/1982 at 00:14:42, a magnitude 4.7 (4.5 MB, 4.7 MD, 4.5 LG, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 103.7 miles away from Peru center
On 10/16/2012 at 23:12:25, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 ML, Depth: 10.0 mi) earthquake occurred 145.1 miles away from Peru center
On 6/17/1991 at 08:53:16, a magnitude 4.1 (4.0 MB, 4.0 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 84.2 miles away from the city center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), duration magnitude (MD), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Natural disasters:
The number of natural disasters in Berkshire County (21) is greater than the US average (15).Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 10
Emergencies Declared: 10
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 5, Snowstorms: 5, Storms: 5, Hurricanes: 4, Winter Storms: 4, Blizzards: 2, Snows: 2, Snowfall: 1, Tropical Storm: 1, Wind: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Hospitals and medical centers near Peru:
- CRANEVILLE PLACE AT DALTON (Nursing Home, about 8 miles away; DALTON, MA)
- MT GREYLOCK EXTENDED CARE FACILITY (Nursing Home, about 11 miles away; PITTSFIELD, MA)
- BERKSHIRE MEDICAL CENTER INC Acute Care Hospitals (about 11 miles away; PITTSFIELD, MA)
- BERKSHIRE PLACE (Nursing Home, about 11 miles away; PITTSFIELD, MA)
- HOSPICE OF THE BERKSHIRES, INC (Hospital, about 11 miles away; PITTSFIELD, MA)
- VALLEY VIEW NURSING HOME (Nursing Home, about 12 miles away; LENOX, MA)
- CENTER FOR OPTIMUM CARE-BERKSHIRE (Nursing Home, about 12 miles away; PITTSFIELD, MA)
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Peru:
- Williams College (about 21 miles; Williamstown, MA; Full-time enrollment: 2,141)
- Smith College (about 23 miles; Northampton, MA; FT enrollment: 3,549)
- Westfield State University (about 25 miles; Westfield, MA; FT enrollment: 5,548)
- Holyoke Community College (about 27 miles; Holyoke, MA; FT enrollment: 4,911)
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst (about 27 miles; Amherst, MA; FT enrollment: 26,583)
- Mount Holyoke College (about 28 miles; South Hadley, MA; FT enrollment: 2,573)
- Springfield Technical Community College (about 33 miles; Springfield, MA; FT enrollment: 4,750)
Points of interest:
Notable location: Peru Fire Department (A). Display/hide its location on the map
Cemeteries: Peru Cemetery (1), North Cemetery (2). Display/hide their locations on the map
Lakes and reservoirs: Tracy Pond (A), Garnet Lake (B). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Cone Brook (A), Trout Brook (B). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Peru include: Peru State Wildlife Management Area (1), Frances Rice Wildlife Refuge (2). Display/hide their locations on the map
Birthplace of: Claudius W. Sears - Confederate Army general.
Average household size:
| This town: | 2.5 people |
| Massachusetts: | 2.5 people |
Percentage of family households:
| This town: | 72.9% |
| Whole state: | 63.0% |
Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
| This town: | 10.7% |
| Whole state: | 7.0% |
Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
- Lesbian couples: 0.6% of all households
- Gay men: 0.3% of all households
| This town: | 4.9% |
| Whole state: | 9.3% |
| This town: | 3.9% |
| Whole state: | 4.4% |
For population 15 years and over in Peru:
- Never married: 24.0%
- Now married: 60.5%
- Separated: 0.6%
- Widowed: 5.1%
- Divorced: 9.8%
For population 25 years and over in Peru:
- High school or higher: 87.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher: 18.9%
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.9%
- Unemployed: 2.3%
- Mean travel time to work (commute): 29.4 minutes
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
| Here: | 10.3 |
| Massachusetts average: | 13.1 |
Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results
Religion statistics for Peru, MA (based on Berkshire County data)
| Religion | Adherents | Congregations |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic | 50,187 | 32 |
| Mainline Protestant | 9,895 | 63 |
| Other | 3,647 | 20 |
| Evangelical Protestant | 2,817 | 28 |
| Black Protestant | 233 | 2 |
| Orthodox | 225 | 2 |
| None | 64,215 | - |
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 33
| Berkshire County: | 2.54 / 10,000 pop. |
| Massachusetts: | 1.98 / 10,000 pop. |
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 21
| Berkshire County: | 1.61 / 10,000 pop. |
| Massachusetts: | 2.22 / 10,000 pop. |
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 53
| Berkshire County: | 4.08 / 10,000 pop. |
| Massachusetts: | 1.77 / 10,000 pop. |
Number of full-service restaurants: 195
| This county: | 15.00 / 10,000 pop. |
| State: | 8.76 / 10,000 pop. |
Adult diabetes rate:
| Berkshire County: | 8.0% |
| Massachusetts: | 8.1% |
Adult obesity rate:
| This county: | 22.8% |
| Massachusetts: | 22.5% |
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
| Berkshire County: | 9.9% |
| State: | 16.5% |
Strongest AM radio stations in Peru:
- WNNZ (640 AM; 50 kW; WESTFIELD, MA; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
- WUHN (1110 AM; daytime; 5 kW; PITTSFIELD, MA; Owner: WEINER BROADCASTING, INC.)
- WTIC (1080 AM; 50 kW; HARTFORD, CT; Owner: INFINITY RADIO OPERATIONS INC.)
- WGY (810 AM; 50 kW; SCHENECTADY, NY; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
- WCRN (830 AM; 50 kW; WORCESTER, MA; Owner: CARTER BROADCASTING CORPORATION)
- WPTR (1540 AM; 50 kW; ALBANY, NY; Owner: KIMTRON, INC.)
- WHYN (560 AM; 5 kW; SPRINGFIELD, MA; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
- WVNE (760 AM; daytime; 25 kW; LEICESTER, MA; Owner: BLOUNT MASSCOM, INC.)
- WIZZ (1520 AM; daytime; 10 kW; GREENFIELD, MA; Owner: P. & M. RADIO, LLC)
- WBRK (1340 AM; 1 kW; PITTSFIELD, MA; Owner: WBRK, INC.)
- WACE (730 AM; 5 kW; CHICOPEE, MA; Owner: CARTER BROADCASTING CORP.)
- WRKO (680 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)
- WALE (990 AM; 50 kW; GREENVILLE, RI; Owner: NORTH AMERICAN BROADCASTING CO., INC.)
Strongest FM radio stations in Peru:
- WAMC-FM (90.3 FM; ALBANY, NY; Owner: WAMC)
- WBEC-FM (105.5 FM; PITTSFIELD, MA; Owner: GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, LLC)
- WUPE (95.9 FM; PITTSFIELD, MA; Owner: WEINER BROADCASTING, INC.)
- WHVP (91.1 FM; HUDSON, NY; Owner: SOUND OF LIFE, INC.)
- WHYN-FM (93.1 FM; SPRINGFIELD, MA; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
- WEQX (102.7 FM; MANCHESTER, VT; Owner: NORTHSHIRE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
- WJAN (95.1 FM; SUNDERLAND, VT; Owner: 6 JOHNSON ROAD LICENSES, INC.)
- WRNX (100.9 FM; AMHERST, MA; Owner: WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS RADIO COMPANY)
- WZEC (97.5 FM; HOOSICK FALLS, NY; Owner: GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, LLC)
- WVAY (100.7 FM; WILMINGTON, VT; Owner: GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, L.L.C.)
- WMNB (100.1 FM; NORTH ADAMS, MA; Owner: BERKSHIRE BROADCASTING CO., INC.)
- WAMQ (105.1 FM; GREAT BARRINGTON, MA; Owner: WAMC)
- WFCR (88.5 FM; AMHERST, MA; Owner: UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS)
- WPVQ (95.3 FM; GREENFIELD, MA; Owner: GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, L.L.C.)
- WAQY (102.1 FM; SPRINGFIELD, MA; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)
- WLZX (99.3 FM; NORTHAMPTON, MA; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)
- WAMH (89.3 FM; AMHERST, MA; Owner: TRUSTEES OF AMHERST COLLEGE)
- WRSY (101.5 FM; MARLBORO, VT; Owner: GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, L.L.C.)
- WHAI (98.3 FM; GREENFIELD, MA; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)
- WRSI (93.9 FM; TURNERS FALLS, MA; Owner: GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, LLC)
TV broadcast stations around Peru:
- W35BK (Channel 35; PLAINFIELD, MA; Owner: LYDIA SYLVANE STOCKWELL)
- WTIC-TV (Channel 61; HARTFORD, CT; Owner: TRIBUNE TELEVISION COMPANY)
- WYDN (Channel 48; WORCESTER, MA; Owner: EDUCATIONAL PUBLIC TV CORPORATION)
- WCDC-TV (Channel 19; ADAMS, MA; Owner: YOUNG BROADCASTING OF ALBANY, INC.)
- WWLP (Channel 22; SPRINGFIELD, MA; Owner: WWLP BROADCASTING, LLC)
- W38DL (Channel 38; ADAMS, ETC., MA; Owner: WNYT-TV, LLC)
Peru fatal accident list:
Jan 15, 2009 09:50 PM, Middlefield Road, Lat: 42.425736, Lon: -73.087406, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1
Apr 11, 1997 07:24 PM, Middlefld, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 2, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1
Apr 11, 1997 07:24 PM, Middlefld, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 2, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1
FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers:
1 (See the full list of FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers in Peru)FCC Registered Antenna Towers:
11 (See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers)FCC Registered Microwave Towers:
2- 5031, Hicking Botham Rd (088032) (Lat: 42.436750 Lon: -73.053139), Type: Tower, Structure height: 111.3 m, Overall height: 114.9 m, Call Sign: WPXE702,
Assigned Frequencies: 19510.0 MHz, 19550.0 MHz, Grant Date: 03/18/2003, Expiration Date: 03/18/2013, Cancellation Date: 12/27/2007, Certifier: Carol L Tacker, Registrant: Cingular Wireless LLC, 5601 Legacy Drive Ms A-3, Plano, TX 75024, Phone: (469) 229-7506, Fax: (469) 229-7295, Email:
- PERU, Hicking Botham Rd (088032) (Lat: 42.436472 Lon: -73.053528), Type: Ltower, Structure height: 107.5 m, Overall height: 115.5 m, Call Sign: WQNC869,
Assigned Frequencies: 6315.84 MHz, 6286.19 MHz, 6345.49 MHz, 6256.54 MHz, 6785.00 MHz, 10623.1 MHz, 6550.62 MHz, 6665.00 MHz, 6226.89 MHz, 6197.24 MHz, Grant Date: 09/29/2020, Expiration Date: 12/21/2030, Certifier: Charles B Sutherland, Registrant: Massachusetts, Commonwealth Of, 470 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA 01702, Phone: (508) 820-2264, Email:
FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses:
6- Call Sign: K1TTT, Previous Call Sign: KY1H, Licensee ID: L01192645, Grant Date: 08/09/2016, Expiration Date: 11/04/2026, Registrant: David R Robbins, 15 Baumann Rd, Peru, MA 01235
- Call Sign: K1UNF, Licensee ID: L01453224, Grant Date: 12/19/2008, Expiration Date: 12/19/2018, Cancellation Date: 12/22/2020, Registrant: John J Mc Hugh, 7 Pierce Rd, Peru, MA 01235
- Call Sign: N1ESX, Grant Date: 01/13/1997, Expiration Date: 01/13/2007, Cancellation Date: 01/14/2009, Registrant: Rudolph D Kaatz, 48 E Windsor Rd, Peru, MA 01235
- Call Sign: N1SDM, Grant Date: 07/07/1994, Expiration Date: 07/07/2004, Cancellation Date: 07/08/2006, Registrant: Earle L Locke, 95 E Main Rd, Peru, MA 01235
- Call Sign: KC1NAG, Licensee ID: L00717034, Grant Date: 05/11/2020, Expiration Date: 05/11/2030, Cancellation Date: 06/02/2020, Certifier: Malcolm S Doble, Registrant: Malcolm S Doble, 31 Kreutzer Road, Peru, MA 01235
- Call Sign: K1TLA, Previous Call Sign: KC1NAG, Licensee ID: L00717034, Grant Date: 06/02/2020, Expiration Date: 06/02/2030, Certifier: Malcolm S Doble, Registrant: Malcolm S Doble, 31 Kreutzer Road, Peru, MA 01235
FAA Registered Aircraft Manufacturers and Dealers:
1- WEBER MARK J, 12 Andes Rd, Peru, MA 01235
Certificate: 03-1809 (Individual), Certificate Issue Date: 10/25/2003, Expiration Date: 10/24/2004
Houses and condos
Apartments
- 44.2%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
- 26.0%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
- 20.8%Wood
- 3.0%Electricity
- 2.2%Coal or coke
- 2.2%Other fuel
- 1.5%Utility gas
- 65.2%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
- 34.8%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
Peru compared to Massachusetts state average:
- Median house value below state average.
- Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.
- Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
- Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
- Median age above state average.
- Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
- Renting percentage significantly below state average.
- Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
- Number of rooms per house significantly below state average.
- House age significantly below state average.
- Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher below state average.
Top Patent Applicants
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Total of 4 patent applications in 2008-2024.