Macon County, Illinois: commercial real estate data.
Macon County, Illinois had an estimated 100,737 residents on July 1, 2024, down 3.1 percent since the 2020 census base of 103,996, across 581 square miles. County output reached $9.05 bn in 2024, 2,241 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 103 7(a) approvals worth $62.3 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Macon County
How many people live in Macon County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024101,849
- Households43,468
- Average household size2.34
- Median household income$62,666
- Median age40.6
- Median gross rent$847 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$127,300
- Home value to household income2.0 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income16.2 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher24.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree8.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over70,226
- Population under 1823,066
- Share under 1822.6 percent
- Population 65 and over21,412
- Share 65 and over21.0 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6457,371
- Civilian labor force47,235
- Unemployment rate6.8 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over60.0 percent
- Rank by population among Illinois counties19th of 102
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included610th of 3,222
Macon County is the 19th largest of 102 Illinois counties by population. A median home costs 2.0 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 22.6 percent against 21.0 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Macon County
Is Macon County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024100,737
- Census 2020 base population103,996
- Population change since the 2020 census base-3.13 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024-17
- Births, 20241,144
- Deaths, 20241,265
- Natural change, 2024-121
- Net domestic migration, 2024-276
- Net international migration, 2024380
- Total net migration, 2024104
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-3,104
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents2764th of 3,144
The county has lost 3.13 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 by more than net migration added, so the population fell even though more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Macon County
Where are people moving to Macon County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving1,636
- People arriving, from those returns2,868
- Tax returns filed by households leaving1,991
- Net household movement-355
- Adjusted gross income arriving$81.2 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-57.5 m
- Average income of an arriving household$49,647
- Average income of a leaving household$69,671
- Largest single originSangamon County (126 households)
- Largest single destinationSangamon County (148 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sangamon County | 126 | 187 | $5.1 m |
| Champaign County | 85 | 151 | $4.5 m |
| Cook County | 72 | 128 | $3.5 m |
| Piatt County | 66 | 123 | $3.8 m |
| Moultrie County | 59 | 112 | $3.2 m |
| Christian County | 56 | 95 | $2.3 m |
| De Witt County | 50 | 102 | $2.2 m |
| McLean County | 49 | 89 | $2.5 m |
Households arriving report $20,024 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Sangamon County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Macon County
What is the Macon County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$9.05 bn
- County GDP, 2023$8.80 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20242.9 percent
- GDP change over five years32.6 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Illinois areas BEA publishes15th of 102
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes485th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$88,893
Output grew 2.9 percent in the latest year and 32.6 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Macon County
Employment by industry in Macon County
- Covered employment, annual average45,051
- Establishments reporting1,981
- Average annual pay$67,788
- Average weekly wage$1,304
- Manufacturing, employment10,627
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$106,030
- Health care and social assistance, employment5,934
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$62,227
- Retail trade, employment4,589
- Retail trade, average annual pay$35,080
- Construction, employment3,778
- Construction, average annual pay$76,340
- Accommodation and food services, employment3,621
- Transportation and warehousing, employment2,240
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 10,627 | 82 | $106,030 |
| Health care and social assistance | 5,934 | 202 | $62,227 |
| Retail trade | 4,589 | 309 | $35,080 |
| Construction | 3,778 | 188 | $76,340 |
| Accommodation and food services | 3,621 | 204 | $22,859 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 2,240 | 78 | $69,690 |
| Finance and insurance | 1,359 | 98 | $85,339 |
| Other services, except public administration | 1,222 | 178 | $40,296 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 10,627 jobs, 23.6 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Macon County
How many businesses are in Macon County?
- Establishments, all industries2,241
- Employment at those establishments42,511
- Annual payroll$2.91 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents22.0
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Macon County
Building permits in Macon County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 202457
- Declared construction value permitted$17.2 m
- Single family units authorized39
- Multifamily units authorized18
- Multifamily share of units31.6 percent
- Average declared value per unit$300,931
- Units authorized per 1,000 households1.3
Single-family homes are 68.4 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Macon County
SBA loans in Macon County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded103
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$62.3 m
- Average 7(a) approval$605,085
- Median 7(a) approval$180,000
- 10th percentile approval$37,160
- 90th percentile approval$1,617,600
- Largest single approval$4,150,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)852
- Jobs per approval8.3
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active24
- Distinct industries receiving approvals58
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer29.1 percent
- Loans on real estate terms30
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter65
- Franchise loans16
- Franchise share of approvals15.5 percent
- Leading industry by approval countHotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (8)
- Most active lenderFirst Mid Bank & Trust, National Association (43)
- 504 approvals recorded35
- 504 gross approval dollars$22.7 m
- Average 504 approval$647,400
- Median 504 approval$434,000
- Distinct CDCs active3
- 504 jobs per approval11.8
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved18.2
- Most active CDCSomerCor 504, Inc. (16)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$85.0 m
The average approval of $605,085 sits well above the median of $180,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 29.1 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Macon County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Macon County
Do SBA loans in Macon County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded13
- Paid in full12
- Charged off1
- Status: Exempt from disclosure71
- Status: Charged off1
- Status: Paid in full12
- Status: Cancelled13
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed6
Only 13 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Macon County
SBA lending by place in Macon County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending8
- Decatur, approvals76
- Mount Zion, approvals9
- Forsyth, approvals8
- Argenta, approvals3
- Macon, approvals2
- Blue Mound, approvals2
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur | 76 | $52,074,100 |
| Mount Zion | 9 | $1,629,000 |
| Forsyth | 8 | $7,409,800 |
| Argenta | 3 | $363,000 |
| Macon | 2 | $361,500 |
| Blue Mound | 2 | $252,400 |
| Maroa | 2 | $209,000 |
| Oreana | 1 | $25,000 |
Decatur accounts for 76 approvals against 9 in Mount Zion. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Macon County
How large is Macon County?
- Land area581 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Illinois counties38th of 102
- Width, east to west25.1 mi
- Height, north to south27.8 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary7
- Residents per square mile of land175
- Establishments per square mile3.86
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Macon County
Flood risk in Macon County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Macon County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 170928
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book8
- Of those, participating in the NFIP7
- NFIP participation rate87.5 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Macon County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Macon County (community 170928), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Macon County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 87.5 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Macon County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Macon County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024101,849
- Households43,468
- Average household size2.34
- Median household income$62,666
- Median age40.6
Common questions
Macon County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Macon County, Illinois?
The Census Bureau estimates 100,737 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 101,849, in 43,468 households, ranking 19th of 102 Illinois counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Macon County's population growing?
The population has fallen 3.13 percent since the 2020 census base of 103,996, to 100,737 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 1,144 births against 1,265 deaths, with net migration of 104. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Macon County?
$62,666. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $127,300, which is 2.0 times income, and median gross rent is $847 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Macon County?
2,241 establishments, employing 42,511 people with an annual payroll of $2.91 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Macon County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 10,627 jobs, 23.6 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 45,051 jobs at an average annual pay of $67,788, or $1,304 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Macon County?
103 7(a) approvals totaling $62.3 m since FY2020, across 24 lenders, with a median approval of $180,000, plus 35 504 approvals worth $22.7 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Macon County?
57 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $17.2 m. Multifamily was 31.6 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Macon County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Macon County come from?
The largest single origin is Sangamon County, with 126 households. Arriving households report an average income of $49,647 against $69,671 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Macon County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Macon County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Macon County
Cities and places in Macon.
14 Census places lie wholly or partly in Macon County. All 14 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | city | 69,815 | 76 | Wholly in this county |
| Mount Zion | village | 5,660 | 9 | Wholly in this county |
| Forsyth | village | 3,502 | 8 | Wholly in this county |
| Maroa | city | 1,714 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Harristown | village | 1,550 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Long Creek | village | 1,392 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Macon | city | 1,047 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Oreana | village | 1,037 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Warrensburg | village | 921 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Blue Mound | village | 882 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Argenta | village | 879 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Niantic | village | 671 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Boody | CDP | 301 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Elwin | CDP | 40 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |