Population103,998 (2020 Census)
A Lake and River Shape City Life
Macon County, IllinoisDecatur anchors the county beside the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur. Smaller communities spread across the largely flat countryside surrounding the city. This guide brings together a starting point for county information, public services and local connections. Begin with Decatur, then use the resource links to plan the details of a visit or an everyday errand. Check directly with each provider for current hours, access and service availability before setting out.
Macon County at a Glance
Population103,998 (2020 Census)
County SeatDecatur
Largest MunicipalityDecatur
Established1829
ZIP Codes26 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county (checked October 4, 2026)
Total Area585.8 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesInterstate 72; U.S. Route 36; U.S. Route 51; Illinois Route 48; Illinois Route 105
Area Codes217 / 447 (common local area codes)
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Yoder's Hardwood Flooring for hardwood flooring.
Discover Macon County
Macon County
The county was formed from Shelby County in 1829 and named for Nathaniel Macon. Abraham Lincoln and his family moved to the county the following year. Today, Decatur remains the county seat, while Decatur is its largest municipality. The 2020 Census counted 103,998 residents across the county. Its towns and surrounding countryside offer different ways to understand the same place: through public buildings, transportation routes and the communities that connect them. Local records and historical collections provide a starting point for exploring how those connections changed over time.
Life in Macon County extends beyond a single town center. Decatur and the Sangamon landscape are part of the local setting, alongside the routine needs of households, schools and businesses. Use county offices for the services they administer and contact municipal or township offices when a question concerns a specific address. Planning around the actual destination helps make visits, appointments and local errands more practical, especially when travel crosses town or county boundaries.
What Shapes Us
Local Heritage
Established in 1829, Macon County has a history recorded in its communities and public institutions. Start with local collections to explore specific people, buildings and events.
Landscape and Connections
Decatur and the Sangamon landscape help distinguish Macon County. Its county seat, Decatur, provides a useful starting point for understanding how nearby communities connect across the area.
Everyday Community
County and local offices connect residents with practical services. Follow the linked providers for details specific to your destination, address and purpose in Macon County.
Explore the towns, follow the stories, make local connections.
A Look Around
Scenes from Macon County
Places and details that tell a local story.
Herald-Review.com
Decatur and Macon County neighbors: Obituaries for October 18
Read the full story at Herald-Review.com.
Read the Story Oct 18, 2026 • Local news
Around Macon County
Stories from every corner of Macon County.
Decatur and Macon County neighbors: Obituaries for October 18
Read the full story at Herald-Review.com.
Oct 18, 2026 • Local news
See the latest marriage licenses in Macon County
Read the full story at Herald-Review.com.
Oct 17, 2026 • Local news
Macon County agencies work to fill gaps left by Oasis closure
Read the full story at Herald-Review.com.
Oct 17, 2026 • Local news
October 15 recap: Decatur and Macon County news you may have missed today
Read the full story at Herald-Review.com.
Oct 16, 2026 • Local news
October 14 recap: Decatur and Macon County news you may have missed today
Read the full story at Herald-Review.com.
Oct 15, 2026 • Local news
Keep These Businesses in Mind
Start with a Direct Conversation
Contact Yoder's Hardwood Flooring directly to ask about current options, availability and the services you need.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the responsible public agency or service provider. Statewide links are labeled so you can locate the office that serves your address.
Government
County & Local Resources
Supervisor of Assessments
Property assessments, exemptions and assessment office information.
Phone (217) 424-1364
Schools
County & Local Resources
Hospitals and Health
County & Local Resources
Warner Hospital And Health Services
Regional option in De Witt County
Address 422 W WHITE ST, Clinton
Phone (217) 935-9571
Kirby Medical Center
Regional option in Piatt County
Address 1000 MEDICAL CENTER DRIVE, Monticello
Phone (217) 762-2115
Pana Community Hospital
Regional option in Christian County
Address 101 E NINTH STREET, Pana
Phone (217) 562-2131
Public Safety
County & Local Resources
Illinois State Police
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois State Police contacts
Find the appropriate State Police contact; call 911 for emergencies.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Report cyber-enabled crime through the federal complaint portal; emergencies require 911.
Emergency Services
County & Local Resources
Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
National Weather Service
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
State Parks
County & Local Resources
Spitler Woods State Natural Area
Mount Zion, Macon County. Check facilities and access notices.
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
Dewitt — regional option in DeWitt County. Check facilities and access notices.
Weldon Springs State Park
Clinton — regional option in DeWitt County. Check facilities and access notices.
Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area
Bethany — regional option in Moultrie County. Check facilities and access notices.
Wolf Creek State Park
Windsor — regional option in Shelby County. Check facilities and access notices.
Trails
County & Local Resources
Rock Springs Nature Center
Decatur, Macon County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Spitler Woods State Natural Area
Mount Zion, Macon County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
Dewitt — regional option in DeWitt County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Lincoln Prairie Trail
Pana — regional option in Christian County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Edward R. Madigan State Park
Lincoln — regional option in Logan County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Utilities
County & Local Resources
Illinois Commerce Commission
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois 811 — JULIE
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois energy assistance
Find utility-bill assistance and the local administering agency.
Libraries
County & Local Resources
Barclay Public Library District
Address 220 South Main Street Warrensburg , IL 62573-0349
Phone 217-672-3621
Blue Mound Memorial Library District
Address 213 North Saint Marie Street Blue Mound , IL 62513
Phone 217-692-2774
Courts
County & Local Resources
Illinois Courts
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Courts — Forms
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Court Help
Court-process information and help for people without an attorney.
DMV
County & Local Resources
Transportation
County & Local Resources
Illinois Department of Transportation
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Getting Around Illinois
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois public transportation
Find public transportation information and regional agencies.
IDOT transit programs
Transit program information, including rural and intercity services.
Amtrak Illinois services
Find Illinois intercity rail routes and stations; some counties require travel to a regional station.
Postal Services
County & Local Resources
USPS Location Finder
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
USPS ZIP Code Lookup
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
USPS Informed Delivery
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Veterans
County & Local Resources
Administrative Assistant / Veteran Service Officer Trainee
Official Macon County office information.
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
VA Facility Locator
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Veterans Crisis Line
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Employment
County & Local Resources
IllinoisJobLink — official job-seeker help
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Department of Employment Security
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois workNet
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Work for Illinois
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
A Useful Starting Point
County facts and practical links for everyday questions.
Questions and Answers
Get to Know Macon County
Find background and service information below, then follow the provider links for current details.
Decatur is the county seat. Macon County Government provides county office information; check the office destination before traveling.
Decatur is the largest municipality listed in the county reference. Countywide statistics include other communities and unincorporated areas as well.
The 2020 Census counted 103,998 residents. This is a decennial count, not a current-year population estimate.
Macon County was established in 1829. The county was formed from Shelby County in 1829 and named for Nathaniel Macon. Abraham Lincoln and his family moved to the county the following year.
The county covers approximately 585.8 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography). This total includes both land and water, rather than land area alone.
Decatur anchors the county beside the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur. Smaller communities spread across the largely flat countryside surrounding the city.
Children's Museum of Illinois is in Decatur, Macon County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup with the full street address. A county boundary does not define a single postal delivery area.
Rock Springs Nature Center is in Decatur, Macon County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Spitler Woods State Natural Area is in Mount Zion, Macon County. Basic access is the free activity; extras may carry charges. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Begin with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to locate the appropriate service office, or the VA facility locator for federal facilities.
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Yoder's Hardwood Flooring for hardwood flooring.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Explore Local PlacesPlan your next stop around current information from each place.
Kids’ Fun
- Children's Museum of Illinois — Decatur, Macon County
- Rock Springs Nature Center — Decatur, Macon County
- Scovill Zoo — Decatur, Macon County
Restaurants
- La Gondola Spaghetti House — Decatur, Macon County
- Caddy Shack Golf Pub — Decatur, Macon County
- Lincoln Square Lounge — Decatur, Macon County
Shopping & Retail
- Never Forgotten Thymes Antiques — Decatur, Macon County
- Wabash Depot Antique Centre — Decatur, Macon County
- Del's Popcorn Shop on Merchant — Decatur, Macon County
Clothing & Boutiques
- Giggles on Merchant — Decatur, Macon County
- Wooden It Be Lovely — Springfield — regional option in Sangamon County
- SCHEELS – Springfield — Springfield — regional option in Sangamon County
Outdoor Fun
- Rock Springs Nature Center — Decatur, Macon County
- Spitler Woods State Natural Area — Mount Zion, Macon County
- Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area — Bethany — regional option in Moultrie County
Free Things To Do
- Spitler Woods State Natural Area — Mount Zion, Macon County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area — Bethany — regional option in Moultrie County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Weldon Springs State Park — Clinton — regional option in DeWitt County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
Make Time for Local DiscoveriesChoose Your Next Stop