Population27,238 (2020 Census)
A Courthouse Square Anchors University Country
McDonough County, IllinoisMacomb is the county seat and home to Western Illinois University. Bushnell and other communities extend the county’s connections into the surrounding western Illinois countryside. This guide brings together a starting point for county information, public services and local connections. Begin with Macomb, 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.
McDonough County at a Glance
Population27,238 (2020 Census)
County SeatMacomb
Largest MunicipalityMacomb
Established1826
ZIP Codes15 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county (checked October 4, 2026)
Total Area590.1 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesUS 67; US 136; IL 9; IL 41; IL 61
Area Codes309 / 861 (common local area codes)
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Bushnell Truck Repair & Towing Inc for truck repair and towing.
Discover McDonough County
McDonough County
The county was created in 1826 and named for Thomas Macdonough. It lies within the Military Tract set aside for veterans of the War of 1812. Today, Macomb remains the county seat, while Macomb is its largest municipality. The 2020 Census counted 27,238 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 McDonough County extends beyond a single town center. Macomb and university life 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 1826, McDonough 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
Macomb and university life help distinguish McDonough County. Its county seat, Macomb, 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 McDonough County.
Explore the towns, follow the stories, make local connections.
A Look Around
Scenes from McDonough County
Places and details that tell a local story.
WGEM
Illinois League of Women Voters of McDonough County host candidate forum
Read the full story at WGEM.
Read the Story Sep 29, 2026 • Local news
Around McDonough County
Stories from every corner of McDonough County.
Illinois League of Women Voters of McDonough County host candidate forum
Read the full story at WGEM.
Sep 29, 2026 • Local news
McDonough County settles fatal high-speed chase lawsuit for $1.5 million
Read the full story at Tri States Public Radio | TSPR | WIUM.
Sep 25, 2026 • Local news
Mother of man killed in McDonough County police chase settles lawsuit for $1.5 million
Read the full story at WQAD.
Sep 25, 2026 • Local news
Bat found in home tested positive for rabies, McDonough County health officials say
Read the full story at WGEM.
Sep 9, 2026 • Local news
Keep These Businesses in Mind
Start with a Direct Conversation
Contact Bushnell Truck Repair & Towing Inc 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 (309) 833-5305
Schools
County & Local Resources
Hospitals and Health
County & Local Resources
Sarah D Culbertson Memorial Hospital
Regional option in Schuyler County
Address 238 SOUTH CONGRESS STREET, Rushville
Phone (217) 322-4321
Graham Hospital Association
Regional option in Fulton County
Address 210 WEST WALNUT STREET, Canton
Phone (309) 647-5240
Memorial Hospital
Regional option in Hancock County
Address 1454 N COUNTY ROAD 2050 E, Carthage
Phone (217) 357-8500
Osf Holy Family Medical Center
Regional option in Warren County
Address 1000 W HARLEM AVENUE, Monmouth
Phone (309) 734-3141
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
Argyle Lake State Park
Colchester, McDonough County. Check facilities and access notices.
Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
Canton — regional option in Fulton County. Check facilities and access notices.
Nauvoo State Park
Nauvoo — regional option in Hancock County. Check facilities and access notices.
Weinberg-King State Park
Augusta — regional option in Hancock County. Check facilities and access notices.
Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
Chandlerville — regional option in Cass County. Check facilities and access notices.
Trails
County & Local Resources
Argyle Lake State Park
Colchester, McDonough County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge
Lewistown — regional option in Fulton County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Nauvoo State Park
Nauvoo — regional option in Hancock 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
Bushnell Public Library District
Address 455 North Dean Street Bushnell , IL 61422-1228
Phone 309-772-2060
Colchester District Library
Address 203 Macomb Street Post Office Box 237 Colchester , IL 62326-0237
Phone 309-776-4861
Macomb Public Library District
Address 235 South Lafayette Street Macomb , IL 61455-2231
Phone 309-833-2714
Astoria Public Library District
Regional library in Fulton County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 220 West Broadway Avenue Astoria , IL 61501-9630
Phone 309-329-2423
Lewistown Carnegie Public Library District
Regional library in Fulton County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 1126 North Main Street Lewistown , IL 61542-9669
Phone 309-547-2860
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
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 McDonough County
Find background and service information below, then follow the provider links for current details.
Macomb is the county seat. Confirm the specific office and its current location before traveling.
Macomb is the largest municipality listed in the county reference. Countywide statistics include other communities and unincorporated areas as well.
The 2020 Census counted 27,238 residents. This is a decennial count, not a current-year population estimate.
McDonough County was established in 1826. The county was created in 1826 and named for Thomas Macdonough. It lies within the Military Tract set aside for veterans of the War of 1812.
The county covers approximately 590.1 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography). This total includes both land and water, rather than land area alone.
Macomb is the county seat and home to Western Illinois University. Bushnell and other communities extend the county’s connections into the surrounding western Illinois countryside.
Macombopoly is in Macomb, McDonough 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.
Chandler Park is in Macomb, McDonough County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Argyle Lake State Park is in Colchester, McDonough 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 Bushnell Truck Repair & Towing Inc for truck repair and towing.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Explore Local PlacesPlan your next stop around current information from each place.
Kids’ Fun
- Macombopoly — Macomb, McDonough County
- Ball Fore Family Entertainment Center — Macomb, McDonough County
- Lakeview Nature Center — Macomb, McDonough County
Restaurants
- Vitale's Restaurant & Pizzeria — Macomb, McDonough County
- Old Dairy Cafe & Bakery — Macomb, McDonough County
- Larry A's Pizza — Macomb, McDonough County
Shopping & Retail
- New Copperfield's Book Service — Macomb, McDonough County
- Bergman Farm Supply — Carthage — regional option in Hancock County
- Sword and Board Game Store — Havana — regional option in Mason County
Clothing & Boutiques
- Rural Bliss — Carthage — regional option in Hancock County
- Mother Goosebumps — Galesburg — regional option in Knox County
- Cinder and Soul Boutique — Jacksonville — regional option in Morgan County
Outdoor Fun
- Chandler Park — Macomb, McDonough County
- Dudley Skate Park — Macomb, McDonough County
- Everly Park — Macomb, McDonough County
Free Things To Do
- Argyle Lake State Park — Colchester, McDonough County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Weinberg-King State Park — Augusta — regional option in Hancock County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Siloam Springs State Park — Clayton — regional option in Adams County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
Make Time for Local DiscoveriesChoose Your Next Stop