County · Illinois

McDonough County, Illinois

McDonough County, Illinois. McDonough County had 25,916 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.9% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 30 places (11 cities, villages and boroughs, 18 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 17109.

McDonough County is the county of the Macomb, IL micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

25,916

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 27,238 · ACS 2020-2024: 26,920

Median household income

$52,795

±$2,946 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390

Median home value

$107,500

±$6,960 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300

Median gross rent

$761

±$42 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274

How many people live in McDonough County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 27,238 residents in McDonough County. The Census Bureau estimates 25,916 for July 1, 2025, down 4.9% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 26,920 over 589 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 −6 (27,122)
2021→2022 −345 (26,777)
2022→2023 +27 (26,804)
2023→2024 −689 (26,115)
2024→2025 −199 (25,916)

McDonough County in Illinois. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	McDonough County	Illinois	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	26,920	12,694,798	−3,559
Households	11,856±321	5,036,449	no clear change
Average household size	2.05±0.06	2.46	−0.33
Housing units	13,587±47	5,457,452	−839

McDonough County's population since 2000

From 32,913 in 2000 to 25,916 in 2025: down 21.3%. 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.

2000 Census 32,913
2005 (estimate) 32,848
2010 Census 32,612
2015 (estimate) 31,461
2020 Census 27,238
2025 (estimate) 25,916

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 McDonough County?

McDonough County holds 30 places: 11 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 18 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Macomb with 14,530 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in McDonough County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Macomb	city	15,051	14,894±25	$44,411	$103,300	25.1%	100%
Bushnell Township	township	2,919	2,892±15	$68,134	$72,900	9.1%	100%
Bushnell	city	2,718	2,677±181	$67,518	$71,900	9.8%	100%
Colchester Township	township	1,559	1,610±304	$63,983	$111,700	9.9%	100%
Emmet Township	township	1,261	1,127±198	$88,558	$169,000	5.6%	100%
Colchester	city	1,108	1,128±239	$63,981	$91,700	7.8%	100%
Blandinsville Township	township	740	871±134	$62,375	$78,900	8.4%	100%
Chalmers TownshipGEOID 1710912333	township	718	532±171	not published	$238,400	10.2%	100%
Industry Township	township	595	733±240	$59,750	$95,100	17.1%	100%
Blandinsville	village	569	666±134	$52,375	$68,800	7.9%	100%
Prairie City Township	township	535	395±98	$61,806	$88,600	11.3%	100%
Lamoine TownshipGEOID 1710941820	township	478	596±322	$50,612	$137,400	4.0%	100%
Sciota Township	township	469	548±122	$69,766	$116,300	3.6%	100%
Walnut Grove Township, McDonough CountyGEOID 1710978591	township	458	508±152	$64,352	$173,100	8.1%	100%
Macomb Township	township	448	566±142	$60,217	$68,600	14.3%	100%
Prairie City	village	407	378±94	$60,694	$91,500	11.9%	100%
Industry	village	399	569±228	$51,250	$85,300	18.8%	100%
Scotland TownshipGEOID 1710968250	township	386	337±157	$52,232	$107,500	11.9%	100%
Good Hope	village	363	438±101	$73,636	$97,000	4.8%	100%
New Salem Township, McDonough CountyGEOID 1710952792	township	362	348±130	not published	$110,000	12.6%	100%
Tennessee TownshipGEOID 1710974678	township	339	381±139	$80,500	$108,000	2.6%	100%
Bethel TownshipGEOID 1710905638	township	296	229±148	not published	$161,000	0.0%	100%
Mound Township, McDonough CountyGEOID 1710950738	township	274	179±94	$59,063	$130,600	12.3%	100%
Hire TownshipGEOID 1710935333	township	217	110±40	$101,250	$114,300	8.2%	100%
AdairGEOID 1700178	CDP	212	215±125	not published	$90,000	20.5%	100%
BardolphGEOID 1703675	village	210	204±83	$28,750	$49,300	25.5%	100%
Eldorado TownshipGEOID 1710922996	township	133	64±41	$93,333	$93,300	10.9%	100%
TennesseeGEOID 1774665	village	101	160±52	$77,500	$72,200	6.4%	100%
SciotaGEOID 1768198	village	38	72±46	$122,639	$106,600	1.4%	100%
Plymouth	village	436	456±94	$41,071	$56,900	24.6%	0%

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 McDonough County?

The median resident of McDonough County is 34.9 years old; 18.0% are under 18 and 19.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 5.6%. 2.7% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	McDonough County	Illinois	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	34.9±0.6	39.0	+1.9
Under 18 years	18.0%±0.1 pts	21.8%	–
65 years and over	19.3%±0.2 pts	17.0%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	3.5%	18.8%	+0.7 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	85.2%±0.7 pts	58.1%	−2.7 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	5.6%±0.3 pts	13.3%	+0.9 pts
Asian alone, not Hispanic	2.1%±0.5 pts	5.9%	no clear change
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic	0.0%±0.1 pts	0.1%	–
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic	0.1%±0.1 pts	0.0%	–
Two or more races, not Hispanic	3.1%±0.9 pts	3.4%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.4%±0.4 pts	0.4%	–
Born outside the United States	2.7%±0.6 pts	14.7%	no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	4.8%±1.0 pts	24.0%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	5.2%±0.8 pts	4.8%	–
With a disability	15.4%±1.4 pts	12.1%	–
No health insurance coverage	7.4%±1.8 pts	6.9%	+3.1 pts
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	94.2%±1.0 pts	90.5%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	31.4%±2.5 pts	37.8%	no clear change
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	15.3%±1.6 pts	15.3%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	2.8%±0.7 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 McDonough County earn?

Half of McDonough County's 11,856 households earn less than $52,795 a year (±$2,946), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $54,730 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	McDonough County	Illinois	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$52,795±$2,946	$83,390	no clear change
Mean household income	$71,521±$4,218	$115,638	–
Per capita income	$32,219±$1,751	$46,406	+$2,567
People below the poverty line	17.2%±2.1 pts	11.8%	−4.7 pts
Children under 18 below the poverty line	13.5%±3.9 pts	15.1%	no clear change
Households receiving SNAP	14.2%±2.4 pts	13.8%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	84.0%±2.9 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 McDonough County?

Owners occupy 63.5% of McDonough County's occupied homes and renters 36.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $107,500 by its owner (±$6,960). The median renter pays $761 a month including utilities, and 41.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	McDonough County	Illinois	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$107,500±$6,960	$263,300	no clear change
Median gross rent	$761±$42	$1,274	no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	41.1%±7.1 pts	39.0%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$1,166±$52	$1,987	–
Owner-occupied homes	63.5%±2.9 pts	67.1%	no clear change
Housing units	13,587±47	5,457,452	−839
Homeowner vacancy rate	2.5%±1.7 pts	1.0%	–
Rental vacancy rate	11.8%±3.6 pts	5.0%	–
Single-family detached homes	66.6%±2.7 pts	58.2%	–
Mobile homes	5.7%±1.4 pts	2.3%	–
Built 2020 or later	0.1%±0.1 pts	0.7%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	27.4%±3.1 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 McDonough County building?

Builders took permits for 1 new housing units across McDonough County in 2025 (1 single-family), 0.0 per 1,000 residents.

2019 1 units
2020 1 units
2021 2 units
2022 0 units
2023 1 units
2024 1 units
2025 1 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in McDonough County get to work?

76.8% of McDonough County's workers drive alone and 6.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.9%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	McDonough County	Illinois	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	62.3%±2.0 pts	65.0%	–
Unemployment rate	7.9%±1.9 pts	5.8%	no clear change
Drove alone to work	76.8%±2.8 pts	65.9%	–
Carpooled	9.5%±1.6 pts	7.8%	–
Public transportation	0.5%±0.4 pts	5.8%	–
Walked	4.6%±1.3 pts	2.8%	–
Worked from home	6.9%±1.4 pts	15.9%	+3.1 pts
Mean travel time to work	18.6 min±1.5	27.8 min	no clear change

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 McDonough County's census tracts?

McDonough County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $10,625 (Tract 9800) to $101,719 (Tract 103).

Census tracts of McDonough County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column

Tract 10117109010100	Bushnell (54%)	3,454	3,287±100	$67,808	$78,300	$649	9.4%
Tract 10217109010200	Blandinsville (23%)	1,806	1,939±203	$67,563	$114,400	$862	7.4%
Tract 10317109010300	Macomb (11%)	1,973	2,176±298	$101,719	$185,500	$762	5.4%
Tract 104.0117109010401	Macomb (92%)	1,031	954±182	$22,567	$93,500	$602	46.9%
Tract 104.0217109010402	Macomb (93%)	3,565	3,690±389	$31,476	$109,000	$790	41.3%
Tract 10617109010600	Macomb (94%)	2,143	2,185±308	$61,104	$94,300	$944	17.0%
Tract 10717109010700	Macomb (94%)	4,017	3,636±414	$68,111	$131,900	$714	9.5%
Tract 10917109010900	Macomb (82%)	2,324	2,333±318	$43,585	$69,900	$770	25.5%
Tract 11017109011000	Industry (8%)	2,182	2,142±262	$60,972	$94,800	$547	12.7%
Tract 11117109011100	Colchester (22%)	2,700	2,644±276	$61,861	$126,500	$755	7.3%
Tract 980017109980000	Macomb (95%)	2,043	1,934±74	$10,625	not published	not published	100.0%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does McDonough County compare with Illinois's other counties?

McDonough County's rank among Illinois's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	50th of 102
Growth 2020-2025	94th of 102
Residents per square mile	51st of 102
Median household income	99th of 102
Median home value	80th of 102
Median gross rent	79th of 102
Poverty rate	13th of 102
Bachelor's degree or higher	18th of 102
Median age	98th of 102

Every county in Illinois

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 McDonough 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.