Macomb, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Macomb, Illinois had a total population of 14,894, the 164th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $44,411, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.4% is notably above the national average.
Macomb Quick Facts
How Macomb Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,006 | 14,894 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $39,753 | $44,411 | +11.7% |
| Median home value | $99,800 | $103,300 | +3.5% |
How Macomb Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Macomb Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in McDonough County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bushnell | 2,677 | $67,518 | 9.8% | $71,900 |
| Colchester | 1,128 | $63,981 | 7.8% | $91,700 |
| Blandinsville | 666 | $52,375 | 7.9% | $68,800 |
| Industry | 569 | $51,250 | 18.8% | $85,300 |
| Plymouth | 456 | $41,071 | 24.6% | $56,900 |
| Good Hope | 438 | $73,636 | 4.8% | $97,000 |
| Prairie City | 378 | $60,694 | 11.9% | $91,500 |
| Adair | 215 | N/A | 20.5% | $90,000 |
| Bardolph | 204 | $28,750 | 25.5% | $49,300 |
| Tennessee | 160 | $77,500 | 6.4% | $72,200 |
Cities Similar to Macomb
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling | 14,717 | $57,350 | $108,700 | 21.1% | 15.3% |
| Dixon | 14,910 | $59,406 | $120,800 | 16.9% | 17.8% |
| Mount Vernon | 14,090 | $55,357 | $99,800 | 18.5% | 17.3% |
| Mattoon | 16,586 | $51,597 | $97,700 | 19.5% | 21.3% |
| Charleston | 17,062 | $49,300 | $137,400 | 33.3% | 26.3% |
Population Overview
Macomb is a small city located in Illinois, within McDonough County. The total population is 14,894. It ranks as the 164th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Macomb is 27.6 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Macomb is $44,411. This is 47% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.1%. This is 112% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 10.4%. This is 77% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $103,300. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Macomb is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Macomb is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
35.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.1%. Notably, 20.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Macomb, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Macomb, Illinois?
Macomb, Illinois has a population of 14,894 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Macomb, IL?
The median household income in Macomb is $44,411, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Macomb, IL?
The poverty rate in Macomb is 25.1%. This means approximately 3,118 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Macomb, Illinois?
Macomb's population is 78.6% White, 9.5% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Macomb, IL?
The median home value in Macomb is $103,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Macomb, Illinois?
35.4% of adults (25+) in Macomb hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.