Macon County, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Macon County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Illinois
and is included in the Decatur
, Illinois
, Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 110,768, which is a decrease of 3.4% from 114,706 in 2000. Its county seat
is Decatur
.
Because of its location, Macon County is often referred to as "The Heart
of Illinois" . However, it's not actually in the center of the State.
, Blue Mound
, Decatur
, Friends Creek
, Harristown
, Hickory Point
, Illini
, Long Creek
, Maroa
, Milam
, Mount Zion, Niantic
, Oakley
, Pleasant View
, South Macon
, South Wheatland
, Whitmore
, who served as a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. Macon later served as United States Senator from North Carolina
until his resignation in 1828.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 114,706 people, 46,561 households, and 30,963 families residing in the county. The population density
was 198 people per square mile (76/km²). There were 50,241 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile (33/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.48% White
, 14.06% Black
or African American
, 0.17% Native American
, 0.57% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.33% from other races
, and 1.36% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 23.8% were of German
, 15.9% American
, 10.7% English
and 9.9% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 46,561 households out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.70% were married couples
living together, 12.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.50% were non-families. 28.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.60% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,859, and the median income for a family was $47,493. Males had a median income of $39,107 versus $22,737 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $20,067. About 9.30% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.00% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Illinois
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,...
and is included in the Decatur
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,...
, Illinois
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,...
, Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 110,768, which is a decrease of 3.4% from 114,706 in 2000. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Decatur
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,...
.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 585.86 square miles (1,517.4 km²), of which 580.69 square miles (1,504 km²) (or 99.12%) is land and 5.18 square miles (13.4 km²) (or 0.88%) is water.Because of its location, Macon County is often referred to as "The Heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
of Illinois" . However, it's not actually in the center of the State.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 51
U.S. Highway 36
Townships
AustinAustin Township, Macon County, Illinois
Austin Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 240 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
, Blue Mound
Blue Mound Township, Macon County, Illinois
Blue Mound Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 917 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
, Decatur
Decatur Township, Macon County, Illinois
Decatur Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 58,355 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
, Friends Creek
Friends Creek Township, Macon County, Illinois
Friends Creek Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 1,456 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
, Harristown
Harristown Township, Macon County, Illinois
Harristown Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 1,058 at the 2000 census.-References:- External links :***...
, Hickory Point
Hickory Point Township, Macon County, Illinois
Hickory Point Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 475 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
, Illini
Illini Township, Macon County, Illinois
Illini Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 1,563 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
, Long Creek
Long Creek Township, Macon County, Illinois
Long Creek Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 9,531 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
, Maroa
Maroa Township, Macon County, Illinois
Maroa Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 1,988 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
, Milam
Milam Township, Macon County, Illinois
Milam Township is a former township which was located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 95 at the 2000 census. In 2009, it was merged into Mount Zion Township.- External links :***...
, Mount Zion, Niantic
Niantic Township, Macon County, Illinois
Niantic Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 896 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
, Oakley
Oakley Township, Macon County, Illinois
Oakley Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 1,177 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
, Pleasant View
Pleasant View Township, Macon County, Illinois
Pleasant View Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 1428 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
, South Macon
South Macon Township, Macon County, Illinois
South Macon Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 1,545 at the 2000 census. The city of Macon, Illinois is located in South Macon Township- External links :***...
, South Wheatland
South Wheatland Township, Macon County, Illinois
South Wheatland Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 4,185 at the 2000 census. The South Wheatland Fire Protection District consists of 5 officers; 1 Chief, 1 Asst. Chief, 1 Captain, and 2 Lieutenants, and 14 Firefighters, as well as 5 memmbers on the Board of...
, Whitmore
Whitmore Township, Macon County, Illinois
Whitmore Township is located in Macon County, Illinois. The population was 4,474 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
Adjacent counties
- De Witt County - north
- Piatt CountyPiatt County, IllinoisPiatt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 16,729, which is an increase of 2.2% from 16,365 in 2000...
- northeast - Moultrie County - southeast
- Shelby County - south
- Christian CountyChristian County, IllinoisChristian County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 34,800, which is a decrease of 1.6% from 35,372 in 2000...
- southwest - Sangamon CountySangamon County, IllinoisSangamon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 197,465, which is an increase of 4.5% from 188,951 in 2000...
- west - Logan CountyLogan County, IllinoisLogan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 30,305, which is a decrease of 2.8% from 31,183 in 2000...
- northwest
History
Macon County was formed on January 19, 1829 out of Shelby County. It was named for Nathaniel MaconNathaniel Macon
Nathaniel Macon was a spokesman for the Old Republican faction of the Democratic-Republican Party that wanted to strictly limit the United States federal government. Macon was born near Warrenton, North Carolina, and attended the College of New Jersey and served briefly in the American...
, who served as a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. Macon later served as United States Senator from North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
until his resignation in 1828.
Demographics
As of the census
Census
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 114,706 people, 46,561 households, and 30,963 families residing in the county. 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 198 people per square mile (76/km²). There were 50,241 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile (33/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.48% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 14.06% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.17% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.57% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.33% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.36% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 23.8% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 15.9% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 10.7% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
and 9.9% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 46,561 households out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.70% 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, 12.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.50% were non-families. 28.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.60% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,859, and the median income for a family was $47,493. Males had a median income of $39,107 versus $22,737 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 county was $20,067. About 9.30% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.00% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- ArgentaArgenta, IllinoisArgenta is a village in Macon County, Illinois, United States, whose population was 921 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Decatur, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.- Geography :Argenta is located at ....
- Bearsdale
- Blue MoundBlue Mound, IllinoisBlue Mound is a village in Macon County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,129 at the 2000 census, and 1,017 at a 2009 estimate. It is included in the Decatur, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- DecaturDecatur, IllinoisDecatur 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,...
- Emery
- ForsythForsyth, IllinoisForsyth is a village in Macon County, Illinois, United States whose population was 2,434 at the 2000 census, and 3,007 in 2009. It is included in the Decatur, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area pop...
- HarristownHarristown, IllinoisHarristown is a village in Macon County, Illinois, United States whose population was 1,338 at the 2000 census, and 1,236 in 2009. It is included in the Decatur, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Long CreekLong Creek, IllinoisLong Creek is a village in Macon County, Illinois, United States whose population was 1,364 at the 2000 census, and 1,349 at a 2009 estimate. It is included in the Decatur, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- MaconMacon, IllinoisMacon 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.-Geography:...
- MaroaMaroa, IllinoisMaroa is a city in Macon County, Illinois, United States whose population was 1,654 at the 2000 census, and 1,565 at a 2009 estimate. It is included in the Decatur, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- Mount Zion
- Newburg
- NianticNiantic, IllinoisNiantic is a village in Macon County, Illinois, United States whose population was 738 at the 2000 census.It is included in the Decatur, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Niantic is located at ....
- OakleyOakley, IllinoisOakley is an unincorporated community in Oakley Township, Macon County, Illinois, United States. Oakley is located along the Norfolk Southern Railway east-northeast of Decatur....
- OreanaOreana, IllinoisOreana is a village in Macon County, Illinois, United States whose population was 892 at the 2000 census.It is included in the Decatur, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Oreana is located at ....
- WarrensburgWarrensburg, IllinoisWarrensburg is a village in Macon County, Illinois, United States whose population was 1,289 at the 2000 census, and 1,160 in 2009.It is included in the Decatur, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...