Macon County, IL

County

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2024 Population

101,849

US Senator

Dick Durbin

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tammy Duckworth

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

40.6

0.734% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

15%

2.35% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$62,666

0.347% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$127,300

4.52% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

44,035

0.344% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Macon County, IL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.6% of the residents in Macon County, IL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Macon County, IL are Richland Community College (793 degrees awarded in 2023), Millikin University (485 degrees), and Reflections Academy of Beauty (15 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Macon County, IL was $127,300, and the homeownership rate was 70.2%.

Most people in Macon County, IL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Macon County, IL was 2 cars per household.

Macon County, IL borders Christian County, IL, De Witt County, IL, Logan County, IL, Moultrie County, IL, Piatt County, IL, Sangamon County, IL, and Shelby County, IL.

United States Illinois Decatur, IL

Population & Diversity

Macon County, IL is home to a population of 102k people, from which 98.6% are citizens. As of 2024, 2.75% of Macon County, IL residents were born outside of the country (2.8k people).

In 2024, there were 4.51 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (74.7k people) in Macon County, IL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 16.5k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 5.12k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.6%

2024 Citizenship

98.5%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.6% of Macon County, IL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Macon County, IL was 98.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Macon County, IL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Macon County, IL

White (Non-Hispanic)
74.7k ± 234
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
16.5k ± 748
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
5.12k ± 773

2.86%

Hispanic Population

2.92k people

2.86% of the people in Macon County, IL are hispanic (2.92k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Macon County, IL as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Illinois.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
633,244 ± 19,044 people
India
161,770 ± 9,812 people
Poland
119,556 ± 8,449 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Illinois was Mexico, the natal country of 633,244 Illinois residents, followed by India with 161,770 and Poland with 119,556.

Foreign-Born Population

2.75%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

2.8k people

2.76%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

2.83k people

As of 2024, 2.75% of Macon County, IL residents (2.8k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Macon County, IL was 2.76%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Macon County, IL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,956 ± 301
Gulf War (2001-)
1,147 ± 199
Gulf War (1990s)
475 ± 128

Macon County, IL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.71 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Macon County, IL.

Economy

The economy of Macon County, IL employs 44k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Macon County, IL were Manufacturing (7,613 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (6,354 people), and Retail Trade (4,783 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($82,917), Public Administration ($72,708), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($61,674).

Employment

Occupations

44k

2024 Value

± 1,504

0.344%

1 Year growth

± 4.86%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Macon County, IL grew at a rate of 0.344%, from 43.9k employees to 44k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Macon County, IL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,100 people), Management Occupations (4,228 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (3,882 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Macon County, IL.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Illinois (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

44k

2024 Value

± 1,504

0.344%

1 Year growth

± 4.86%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Macon County, IL grew at a rate of 0.344%, from 43.9k employees to 44k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Macon County, IL, are Manufacturing (7,613 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (6,354 people), and Retail Trade (4,783 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Macon County, IL, though some of these residents may live in Macon County, IL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$53,447

Median earning men ± $1,620

$39,591

Median earning women ± $2,451

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($88,031), Information ($73,269), and Manufacturing ($62,233).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($70,833), Wholesale Trade ($65,486), and Public Administration ($60,588).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.

Y-Axis

2.47%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 6.03M people employed in Illinois. This represents a 2.47% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 13%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Illinois.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

174
Other Services (except Public Administration)
135
Retail Trade
111
Construction

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$792k
Manufacturing
$479k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$455k
Management of Companies and Enterprises

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Illinois went to Kamala Harris with 54.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (43.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.43%).

Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are the senators currently representing the state of Illinois. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Illinois is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Macon County, IL. Showing the available data for Illinois.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (54.4%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (43.5%)
Republican Party
Robert Kennedy (1.43%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Illinois went to Kamala Harris with 54.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (43.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.43%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Illinois for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Illinois

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.

Dick Durbin

Senator from Illinois

Assumed office on January 3, 1997

Tammy Duckworth

Senator from Illinois

Assumed office on January 3, 2017

Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are the senators currently representing Illinois.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Illinois over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Macon County, IL awarded 1,293 degrees. The student population of Macon County, IL in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 1,472 male students and 2,430 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Macon County, IL are White (915 and 72.3%), Black or African American (205 and 16.2%), Hispanic or Latino (61 and 4.82%), and Two or More Races (45 and 3.56%).

The largest universities in Macon County, IL by number of degrees awarded are Richland Community College (793 and 61.3%), Millikin University (485 and 37.5%), and Reflections Academy of Beauty (15 and 1.16%).

The most popular majors in Macon County, IL are Liberal Arts & Sciences (182 and 14.1%), Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (127 and 9.82%), and Registered Nursing (78 and 6.03%).

The median tuition cost in Macon County, IL for private four year colleges is $42,778.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Macon County, IL, the percentage of applicants admitted was 54.1%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 15.2%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 3,902 (37.7% men and 62.3% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 3,902 students enrolled in Macon County, IL, 37.7% men and 62.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,475 records, of which 61.8% were women and 38.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
50 degrees awarded
Music Teacher Education
24 degrees awarded
Elementary Education & Teaching
22 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Macon County, IL was Registered Nursing with 50 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Macon County, IL according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Richland Community College
793 degrees awarded
Millikin University
485 degrees awarded
Reflections Academy of Beauty
15 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Richland Community College with 793 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 475 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Macon County, IL, which is 0.581 times less than the 818 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 915 degrees mean that there were 4.46 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 205 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($42,778) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($792) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,400) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Macon County, IL was $127,300 in 2024, which is 0.383 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $121,800 to $127,300, a 4.52% increase. The homeownership rate in Macon County, IL is 70.2%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Macon County, IL have an average commute time of 19.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Macon County, IL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 11.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Macon County, IL. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.203%.

Housing

Property

$127,300

Median Property Value 2024

±$4,307

$30,493

Median Property Taxes

±$1,142

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Macon County, IL the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Macon County, IL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

70.2%

Homeownership

2024

63.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 70.2% of the housing units in Macon County, IL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 69.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Macon County, IL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$62,666

Median Household Income

± $2,127

43.5k

Number of Households

± 1,420

In 2024, the median household income of the 43.5k households in Macon County, IL grew to $62,666 from the previous year's value of $62,449.

The following chart displays the households in Macon County, IL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Macon County, IL is from Illinois.

0.474

2023 Wage GINI in Illinois

0.477

2022 Wage GINI in Illinois

In 2023, the income inequality in Illinois was 0.474 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.554% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Illinois was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Illinois in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Illinois across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (80.8%)
Worked At Home (8.32%)
Carpooled (6.82%)

In 2024, 80.8% of workers in Macon County, IL drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.32%) and those who carpooled to work (6.82%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

19.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Macon County, IL have a shorter commute time (19.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.53% of the workforce in Macon County, IL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Macon County, IL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Macon County, IL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Macon County, IL have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 11.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Macon County, IL. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.203%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

15% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Macon County, IL (14.8k out of 98.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 45 - 54.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Macon County, IL is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 22.6% of the children was living in poverty in Macon County, IL. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 12.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 390 in Macon County, IL. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 147 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

95.9% of the population of Macon County, IL has health coverage, with 46.6% on employee plans, 21.5% on Medicaid, 16.2% on Medicare, 10.5% on non-group plans, and 1.17% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Macon County, IL see 1,126 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,126 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1611 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 538 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,126 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Macon County, IL

Primary care physicians in Macon County, IL see an average of 1,126 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,126 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Macon County, IL in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.2% under 18 years, 19.1% between 18 and 34 years, 35.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

4.08%

Uninsured

46.6%

Employer Coverage

21.5%

Medicaid

16.2%

Medicare

10.5%

Non-Group

1.17%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Macon County, IL declined by 0.966% from 4.12% to 4.08%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Macon County, IL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 69.5 in Macon County, IL.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Macon County, IL.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 37.1% in Macon County, IL.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Macon County, IL.