County · Illinois
Macon County, Illinois
Macon County, Illinois. Macon County had 99,300 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.5% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 30 places (12 cities, villages and boroughs, 16 towns and townships and 2 census-designated) and 37 census tracts. GEOID 17115.
Macon County is the county of the Decatur, IL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
99,300
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 103,998 · ACS 2020-2024: 101,849
Median household income
$62,666
±$2,127 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$127,300
±$4,307 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$847
±$22 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Macon County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 103,998 residents in Macon County. The Census Bureau estimates 99,300 for July 1, 2025, down 4.5% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 101,849 over 581 square miles of land.
| Measure | Macon County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 101,849 | 12,694,798 | −3,679 |
| Households | 43,468±625 | 5,036,449 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.27±0.03 | 2.46 | −0.05 |
| Housing units | 49,630±55 | 5,457,452 | −762 |
Macon County's population since 2000
From 114,706 in 2000 to 99,300 in 2025: down 13.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Macon County?
Macon County holds 30 places: 12 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 16 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Decatur with 67,884 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Decatur | 70,522 | $51,592 |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur Township | 47,650 | $48,870 |
| Hickory Point Township | 18,229 | $58,673 |
| Long Creek Township | 10,552 | $85,279 |
| Mount Zion Township | 7,213 | $102,500 |
| Mount Zion | 6,019 | $103,365 |
| Whitmore Township | 4,311 | $76,607 |
| South Wheatland Township | 4,040 | $94,427 |
| Forsyth | 3,734 | $112,000 |
| Maroa Township | 1,867 | $79,265 |
| Harristown Township | 1,752 | $76,518 |
| Maroa | 1,577 | $72,500 |
| South Macon Township | 1,468 | $77,734 |
| Pleasant View Township | 1,411 | $71,908 |
| Friends Creek Township | 1,363 | $89,766 |
| Illini Township | 1,347 | $98,594 |
| Harristown | 1,310 | $72,426 |
| Long Creek | 1,261 | $78,519 |
| Macon | 1,177 | $68,750 |
| Blue Mound | 1,133 | $70,329 |
| Warrensburg | 1,110 | $81,719 |
| Oakley TownshipGEOID 1711554859 | 982 | $112,563 |
| Argenta | 913 | $73,482 |
| Oreana | 891 | $89,000 |
| Blue Mound Township, Macon County | 822 | $77,083 |
| Niantic Township | 751 | $86,875 |
| Niantic | 612 | $67,155 |
| Austin TownshipGEOID 1711503051 | 240 | $156,250 |
| BoodyGEOID 1707315 | 232 | $53,500 |
| ElwinGEOID 1723919 | 119 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Macon County?
The median resident of Macon County is 40.6 years old; 22.6% are under 18 and 21.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 73.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 16.2%. 2.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Macon County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6±0.4 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.6% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.0%±0.1 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.9% | 18.8% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 73.3%±0.2 pts | 58.1% | −3.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 16.2%±0.7 pts | 13.3% | +1.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.1 pts | 5.9% | +0.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.6%±0.8 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.7%±0.4 pts | 14.7% | +0.7 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.1%±0.5 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.8%±0.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 14.9%±0.8 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.1%±0.5 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.1%±0.7 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.4%±1.4 pts | 37.8% | +2.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.3%±0.8 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Macon County earn?
Half of Macon County's 43,468 households earn less than $62,666 a year (±$2,127), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $62,125 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Macon County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,666±$2,127 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $84,051±$2,249 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,605±$955 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.0%±1.3 pts | 11.8% | −2.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.2%±2.9 pts | 15.1% | −5.3 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.8%±1.2 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.4%±1.1 pts | 90.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Macon County?
Owners occupy 70.2% of Macon County's occupied homes and renters 29.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $127,300 by its owner (±$4,307). The median renter pays $847 a month including utilities, and 31.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Macon County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $127,300±$4,307 | $263,300 | +$6,200 |
| Median gross rent | $847±$22 | $1,274 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.8%±2.8 pts | 39.0% | −9.1 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,292±$28 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.2%±1.5 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 49,630±55 | 5,457,452 | −762 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 11.8%±1.9 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.5%±1.3 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.3%±0.5 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 20.4%±1.2 pts | 20.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Macon County building?
Builders took permits for 38 new housing units across Macon County in 2025 (32 single-family), 0.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Macon County get to work?
80.8% of Macon County's workers drive alone and 8.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.8%.
| Measure | Macon County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.1%±1.0 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8%±0.8 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.8%±1.8 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.8%±1.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±0.7 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.3%±1.1 pts | 15.9% | +5.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.4 min±0.8 | 27.8 min | +1.5 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Macon County's census tracts?
Macon County is divided into 37 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $21,516 (Tract 6) to $115,843 (Tract 29.01).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Macon County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 19th of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 91st of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 17th of 102 |
| Median household income | 70th of 102 |
| Median home value | 60th of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 39th of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 25th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33rd of 102 |
| Median age | 74th of 102 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Macon County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.