Macomb city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Macomb city is a small city located in Illinois, within McDonough County. The total population is 15,006. It ranks as the 163rd most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Macomb city is 27.7 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. Only 14.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Macomb city is $39,753. This is 51% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 29.4%. This is 151% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 12.1%. This is 108% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $99,800. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Macomb city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Macomb city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.0%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

35.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.7%. Notably, 18.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Macomb city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. For official data, visit data.census.gov.