Macon, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Macon is a city in Macon County, Illinois
, United States
whose population was 1,213 at the 2000 census, and 1,128 at a 2009 estimate. It is included in the Decatur, Illinois
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,213 people, 467 households, and 346 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,376.2 people per square mile (532.2/km²). There were 491 housing units at an average density of 557.1 per square mile (215.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.85% White, 0.25% African American, 0.33% Asian, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.
There were 467 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples
living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,917, and the median income for a family was $48,583. Males had a median income of $35,333 versus $22,917 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,029. About 5.1% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.
state boys’ baseball championship tournament.
The Meridian Hawks
won the 2009 Boys Class 1A Illinois High School Association
State Basketball Championship.
a 1/5 mile high-banked dirt oval track which has been in operation since 1946.
In 2006, the track saw a major decrease in spectator turnouts and the owner was having trouble keeping the track open.
In early 2007, Macon speedway was purchased by NASCAR
drivers Tony Stewart
, Ken Schrader
, and Kenny Wallace
.
Since their purchase, parts of the track have been remodeled, including new fencing all around and fresh painted grandstands.
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
whose population was 1,213 at the 2000 census, and 1,128 at a 2009 estimate. It is included in the Decatur, Illinois
Decatur, Illinois
Decatur is the largest city and the county seat of Macon County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The city, sometimes called "the Soybean Capital of the World", was founded in 1823 and is located along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in Central Illinois. In 2000 the city population was 81,500,...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Macon is located at 39°42′33"N 89°0′1"W (39.709123, -89.000391).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,213 people, 467 households, and 346 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,376.2 people per square mile (532.2/km²). There were 491 housing units at an average density of 557.1 per square mile (215.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.85% White, 0.25% African American, 0.33% Asian, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.
There were 467 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,917, and the median income for a family was $48,583. Males had a median income of $35,333 versus $22,917 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $18,029. About 5.1% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.
High School
On June 4, 1971 the Macon Ironmen high school baseball team finished second place in the Illinois High School AssociationIllinois High School Association
The Illinois High School Association is one of 521 state high school associations in the United States, designed to regulate competition in most interscholastic sports and some interscholastic activities at the high school level. It is a charter member of the National Federation of State High...
state boys’ baseball championship tournament.
The Meridian Hawks
Meridian High School (Macon, Illinois)
Meridian High School is a public four year high school located in Macon, Illinois. It is located about 9 miles south of Decatur, Illinois. Its first year of existence was fall of 1994 when it was formed by the merger of the Macon School District and the Blue Mound School District...
won the 2009 Boys Class 1A Illinois High School Association
Illinois High School Association
The Illinois High School Association is one of 521 state high school associations in the United States, designed to regulate competition in most interscholastic sports and some interscholastic activities at the high school level. It is a charter member of the National Federation of State High...
State Basketball Championship.
Auto Racing
Macon is the site of Macon SpeedwayMacon Speedway
Macon Speedway, located in Macon, Illinois is one of Illinois premier dirt ovals. It is also one of the longest continuous operating racetracks in the state.- History :...
a 1/5 mile high-banked dirt oval track which has been in operation since 1946.
In 2006, the track saw a major decrease in spectator turnouts and the owner was having trouble keeping the track open.
In early 2007, Macon speedway was purchased by NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
drivers Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart
Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
, Ken Schrader
Ken Schrader
Kenneth Schrader is a second-generation race car driver. He currently races on local dirt and asphalt tracks around the country while driving part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Racing Series for his own Ken Schrader Racing. He also runs part time in the NASCAR Camping...
, and Kenny Wallace
Kenny Wallace
Kenneth Wallace is an American stock car driver who currently drives the #09 Family Farmers/University of Northwestern Ohio/Federated Auto Parts/American Ethanol/Iowa Corn/G-Oil/Marquis Energy Toyota Camry for RAB Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series...
.
Since their purchase, parts of the track have been remodeled, including new fencing all around and fresh painted grandstands.
Notable people
- Dale ConnellyDale ConnellyDale Connelly was co-host of The Morning Show on Minnesota Public Radio. The program was carried on KCMP 89.3 "The Current" in the Twin Cities and live on MPR's classical music network in outstate Minnesota. Connelly took over for Garrison Keillor, who was the original host along with Tom Keith...
, co-host of Minnesota Public Radio's Morning ShowThe Morning Show (Minnesota Public Radio)The Morning Show was a morning drive-time radio program produced in St. Paul, Minnesota and broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio's KCMP and other stations of the MPR network....
, is a 1973 graduate of Macon High SchoolMeridian High School (Macon, Illinois)Meridian High School is a public four year high school located in Macon, Illinois. It is located about 9 miles south of Decatur, Illinois. Its first year of existence was fall of 1994 when it was formed by the merger of the Macon School District and the Blue Mound School District...
. - Nelson G. KraschelNelson G. KraschelNelson George Kraschel was an American politician of the Democratic Party. He was born on a farm near Macon, Illinois in 1889 and died in Harlan, Iowa in 1957....
, governor of Iowa from 1937 to 1939, was born on a farm near Macon on October 27, 1889. - Brian SnitkerBrian SnitkerBrian G. Snitker is the current Atlanta Braves third base coach. He was named to that position on October 3, 2006, replacing Fredi González, who left to join the Florida Marlins as manager...
, current Atlanta Braves third base coach, was a 1973 graduate of Macon High SchoolMeridian High School (Macon, Illinois)Meridian High School is a public four year high school located in Macon, Illinois. It is located about 9 miles south of Decatur, Illinois. Its first year of existence was fall of 1994 when it was formed by the merger of the Macon School District and the Blue Mound School District...
. - Brian Elliott—Black Sunshine Customs President/Owner Graduated: 1988 Meridian Senior High School
- Toby TowsonToby TowsonToby Towson is a gymnast and dancer. He performed Sesame Street Muppet dog Barkley in its debut appearances, in A Special Sesame Street Christmas and season 10....
, NCAA Gymnastics Champion, coach and dancer was a 1965 graduate of Macon High SchoolMeridian High School (Macon, Illinois)Meridian High School is a public four year high school located in Macon, Illinois. It is located about 9 miles south of Decatur, Illinois. Its first year of existence was fall of 1994 when it was formed by the merger of the Macon School District and the Blue Mound School District...
. - Art WilsonArt WilsonArthur Earl "Dutch" Wilson was a catcher in Major League Baseball.Wilson was the catcher for Cubs pitcher Hippo Vaughn during the "double no-hitter" game in 1917. The Cubs lost the game on an error by Wilson in the 10th inning.-References:...
, (1885–1960) was a major league baseball catcher.