Macon, Illinois

Macon is a city in Macon County, Illinois, United States whose population was 1,138 at the 2010 census, and 1,120 at a 2018 estimate. It is included in the Decatur, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area and lies 11 miles South of Decatur.

Macon, Illinois
City
Location of Macon in Macon County, Illinois.
Location of Illinois in the United States
Coordinates: 39°42′33″N 89°0′1″W
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyMacon
Government
 • MayorFrank Dunmire
Area
 • Total1.43 sq mi (3.69 km2)
 • Land1.43 sq mi (3.69 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
721 ft (220 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total1,138
 • Estimate 
(2018)[2]
1,120
 • Density789.77/sq mi (305.02/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)
62544
Area code(s)217
FIPS code17-45941
Wikimedia CommonsMacon, Illinois
Websitemaconcity.us

History

The city was named after Nathaniel Macon (1758–1837), American politician.[3]

It was originally plotted in 1856 on land owned by the Illinois Central Railroad. Macon was officially incorporated as a city on April 19, 1869.

Geography

Macon is located at 39°42′33″N 89°0′1″W (39.709123, -89.000391).[4]

According to the 2010 census, Macon has a total area of 1.43 square miles (3.70 km2), all land.[5]

Major highways
  • U.S. Highway 51

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880793—
18908193.3%
1900705−13.9%
1910683−3.1%
192078815.4%
19308001.5%
19408759.4%
19509427.7%
19601,22930.5%
19701,2491.6%
19801,3004.1%
19901,282−1.4%
20001,213−5.4%
20101,138−6.2%
Est. 20181,120[2]−1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 1,213 people, 467 households, and 346 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,376.2 people per square mile (532.2/km²). There were 491 housing units at an average density of 557.1 per square mile (215.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.85% White, 0.25% African American, 0.33% Asian, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.

There were 467 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city, the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,917, and the median income for a family was $48,583. Males had a median income of $35,333 versus $22,917 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,029. About 5.1% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Sports

High school
Main article: Meridian High School (Macon, Illinois)

On June 4, 1971 the Macon High School baseball team finished in second place at the Illinois High School Association championship tournament.[8] Their unlikely run to the state tournament was documented in Chris Ballard's 2012 book, One Shot at Forever: A Small Town, an Unlikely Coach, and a Magical Baseball Season.[9]

Brian Snitker, a member of that team, joined the Atlanta Braves as a player in 1977, was their third base coach, and in 2013 was named the manager of Atlanta's Triple-A Gwinnett Braves. In 2016, the Atlanta Braves named Snitker as their manager.[10][11]

On May 27, 2006 Meridian High School State Champion Rodney Oyler was the first individual IHSA Illinois Boys State Champion in the open 800 meter run at O'Brien Stadium, Charleston, Illinois.[12][13]

The Meridian Hawks won the 2009 Boys Class 1A Illinois High School Association State Basketball Championship.

Auto racing

Macon is the site of Macon Speedway, a 1/5 mile high-banked dirt oval track which has been in operation since 1946.

In 2006, the track saw a major decrease in spectator turnouts and the owner was having trouble keeping the track open. In early 2007, Macon speedway was purchased by NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart, Ken Schrader, and Kenny Wallace. Since their purchase, parts of the track have been remodeled, including new fencing all around and fresh painted grandstands.

Notable people

References
  1. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Jun 29, 2017.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  3. Illinois Central Magazine. Illinois Central Railroad Company. 1922. p. 44.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. "G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  6. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  8. "The Magical Season Of The Macon Ironmen". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  9. Ballard, Chris (2012) "One Shot at Forever: A Small Town, an Unlikely Coach, and a Magical Baseball Season". New York: Hyperion Books
  10. "Manager and Coaches". Atlanta Braves. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  11. Gwinnett Braves Roster, Milb.com; accessed December 18, 2017.
  12. "Meridian's Adams steady to take title". Herald-reviews.com. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  13. "IHSA Boys Track & Field Individual Champions". Ihsa.org. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2010-04-29.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. "Braves name Brian Snitker new manager". Foxsports.com. 11 October 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2008-12-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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