1st Advantage MortgageAbout 70% of Macon County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $62,666. County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Macon County, and confirm each one's Illinois license.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Macon County
- Where Macon County differs from the rest of Illinois
- Macon County income bands
- Labor force snapshot: Macon County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Macon County
- Census places in Macon County
- The counties around Macon County
- What the numbers mean for Macon County borrowers
- Who lives in Macon County, in numbers
- Budget math at the Macon County median
- Verifying a lender from Macon County
- Steps before you apply in Macon County
- Beyond Macon County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Macon County
With an estimated 101,849 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Macon County ranks 19th of 102 in Illinois for population. It covers 581 square miles of land, or about 175 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Decatur, IL metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Decatur is the biggest of its 14 Census places, at roughly 69,815 people (69% of the county total).
Where Macon County differs from the rest of Illinois
- Macon County ranks 10th highest of 102 Illinois counties for households without a vehicle: 9.5%, against 11.0% statewide. Car-free households may need loans less for repairs but more for moves.
- On the ACS unemployment rate, Macon County sits near the top of Illinois at 6.8%, 12th highest of 102. If work is uncertain, keep any loan small and the term short.
- On the share of commutes over 45 minutes, Macon County sits near the bottom of Illinois at 8%, 15th lowest of 102. Less driving means fewer surprise repair bills.
Macon County income bands
At $62,666, the typical Macon County household income is 5% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 70th of 102.
| Households earning | Macon County | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.9% | +5.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.6% | +8.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.1% | -6.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.5% | -7.3 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 29% clear $100,000. Macon County counts about 15,271 residents below the poverty line, 15.0% of the population. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Macon County median.
Labor force snapshot: Macon County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 17%. Macon County over-indexes on manufacturing: 17% versus 11% in Illinois. 6.8% of Macon County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. About 81% drive to work alone and 8% have trips of 45 minutes or more. No car: 9.5% of Macon County households.
| Sector | Macon County | Compared with Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.7% | +0.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.3% | +5.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | +0.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | +0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -5.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.1% | 0.0 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Rent, home values and ownership in Macon County
$847 a month is the median gross rent in Macon County, 34% below the state. About 4 in 10 Macon County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Median value $127,300; median income $62,666; ratio 2.0. 70% of Macon County households own their home and 30% rent. Against the median U.S. county, Macon County rent is 3% below.
| Housing | Macon County | Illinois statewide | Macon County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 48% | -7.6 pts |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 27% | -5.3 pts |
| Median home value | $127,300 | $263,300 | 52% lower |
| Median gross rent | $847/mo | $1,274/mo | 34% lower |
| Owners | 70% | 67% | +3.1 pts |
| Mobile homes | 2.3% | 2.3% | 0.0 pts |
Census places in Macon County
89,411 of Macon County's 101,849 residents live in its 14 Census places (88%); the 14 largest are listed. Forsyth has the highest median household income on the list ($112,000) and Decatur the lowest ($51,592), counting places with at least 500 residents. Decatur and every other Macon County community use this county guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | city | 69,815 | $51,592 | $845 | 2 mi |
| Mount Zion | village | 5,660 | $103,365 | $744 | 7 mi |
| Forsyth | village | 3,502 | $112,000 | $1,222 | 5 mi |
| Maroa | city | 1,714 | $72,500 | $851 | 12 mi |
| Harristown | village | 1,550 | $72,426 | $825 | 5 mi |
| Long Creek | village | 1,392 | $78,519 | $850 | 7 mi |
| Macon | city | 1,047 | $68,750 | $918 | 11 mi |
| Oreana | village | 1,037 | $89,000 | $907 | 7 mi |
| Warrensburg | village | 921 | $81,719 | $775 | 7 mi |
| Blue Mound | village | 882 | $70,329 | $950 | 14 mi |
| Argenta | village | 879 | $73,482 | $1,286 | 11 mi |
| Niantic | village | 671 | $67,155 | $1,066 | 11 mi |
| Boody | CDP | 301 | $53,500 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Elwin | CDP | 40 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
The counties around Macon County
Distances run center to center, from Piatt County at 22 miles out to Shelby County at 34. Income ranges from $62,611 in Christian County to $94,811 in Piatt County; 5 of these neighbors top Macon County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macon County | - | $62,666 | $847/mo | 70% |
| Piatt County, IL | 22 mi | $94,811 | $1,046/mo | 85% |
| De Witt County, IL | 22 mi | $71,678 | $903/mo | 79% |
| Moultrie County, IL | 24 mi | $71,784 | $804/mo | 76% |
| Christian County, IL | 28 mi | $62,611 | $785/mo | 75% |
| Logan County, IL | 28 mi | $66,358 | $829/mo | 68% |
| Shelby County, IL | 34 mi | $72,095 | $814/mo | 78% |
What the numbers mean for Macon County borrowers
Based on the Macon County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Macon County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Who lives in Macon County, in numbers
College graduates make up 24% of the adult population. Uninsured, Macon County: 4.1%; Illinois: 6.9%.
| Indicator | Macon County | +/- Illinois | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.4% | -13.5 pts | +2.2 pts |
| Work from home | 8.3% | -7.5 pts | -0.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 15.0% | +3.2 pts | +1.8 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.1% | -2.8 pts | -3.8 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.9% | -2.6 pts | n/a |
| Median age | 40.6 | +1.6 yrs | -0.9 yrs |
| No vehicle | 9.5% | -1.5 pts | +4.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.8% | +0.9 pts | +2.4 pts |
| Commute length | Macon County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 44.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.7% |
| 60+ min | 3.7% |
Budget math at the Macon County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Macon County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $5,222 a month: gross income for a household at the Macon County median
- Rent at the median, $847, takes 16% of that
- $1,399: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Verifying a lender from Macon County
Consumer lenders serving Macon County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Illinois that is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. State-level detail for Macon County borrowers is in the Illinois guide.
Steps before you apply in Macon County
Quick steps for Macon County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Illinois borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Beyond Macon County
No city in Macon County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Macon County household make?
About $62,666 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 25% below the Illinois median.
What is the median rent in Macon County, IL?
$847 a month, utilities included, or $10,164 a year.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Macon County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 70% of Macon County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
Does this page cover Decatur?
Yes, along with the other 13 Census places in Macon County, such as Mount Zion, Forsyth, Maroa.
Does living in Macon County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Macon County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.