Macon, Illinois

The city was named after Nathaniel Macon (1758–1837), American politician.{{cite book|title=Illinois Central Magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3WI3AQAAMAAJ&pg=PT49|year=1922|publisher=Illinois Central Railroad Company|page=44}}

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.

Macon is located in southern Macon County at {{coord|39|42|33|N|89|0|1|W|type:city}} (39.709123, -89.000391).{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Macon has a total area of {{convert|1.45|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.

• 20px U.S. Highway 51 leads north {{convert|9|mi|0}} to Decatur, the Macon county seat, and south {{convert|25|mi}} to Pana.

{{US Census population

|1880= 793

|1890= 819

|1900= 705

|1910= 683

|1920= 788

|1930= 800

|1940= 875

|1950= 942

|1960= 1229

|1970= 1249

|1980= 1300

|1990= 1282

|2000= 1213

|2010= 1138

|2020= 1177

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 1,213 people, 467 households, and 346 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,376.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 491 housing units at an average density of {{convert|557.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. 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.

{{Main|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.{{cite web |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1171199/1/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721134027/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1171199/1/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 21, 2010|title=The Magical Season Of The Macon Ironmen|website=Sportsillustrated.cnn.com|access-date=18 December 2017}} 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.{{cite book |last1=Ballard |first1=Chris |title=One Shot At Forever: A Small Town, An Unlikely Coach and a Magical Baseball Season |url=https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/chris-ballard/one-shot-at-forever/9781401312664/ |website=Hachette Book Group |date=27 June 2017 |publisher=Hyperion Books |isbn=9781401312664 |access-date=8 February 2023}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=atl&coachorstaffid=492535|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112202953/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=atl&coachorstaffid=492535|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 12, 2007|title=Manager and Coaches|website=Atlanta Braves|access-date=18 December 2017}}[http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ros&cid=431&stn=true&sid=t431 Gwinnett Braves Roster], Milb.com; accessed December 18, 2017.

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.{{cite web|url=http://herald-review.com/high-school/meridian/meridian-s-adams-steady-to-take-title/article_72d92f14-e01c-5d0f-8bfe-b12fb02bb725.html|title=Meridian's Adams steady to take title|website=Herald-reviews.com|access-date=18 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ihsa.org/data/trb/records/ybych1.htm|title=IHSA Boys Track & Field Individual Champions|website=Ihsa.org|access-date=18 December 2017}}

The Meridian Hawks won the 2009 Boys Class 1A Illinois High School Association State Basketball Championship.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

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.

• Dale Connelly, co-host of Minnesota Public Radio's Morning Show, is a 1973 graduate of Macon High School{{cite web|title=Health Science Librarians of Illinois News Letter|volume=22|page=6|url=http://hsli.org/HSLIFall-Winter2002.pdf|website=Hsli.org|access-date=18 December 2017}}
• Nelson G. Kraschel, governor of Iowa from 1937 to 1939, was born on a farm near Macon on October 27, 1889
• Brian Snitker, Manager of the Atlanta Braves baseball team, former professional baseball player, was a 1973 graduate of Macon High School.{{cite web |url=http://www.meridian.k12.il.us/Alumni/Macon/Macon%2070-79/MHS73.htm |title=Macon Class of 1973 |access-date=2010-04-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005201619/http://www.meridian.k12.il.us/Alumni/Macon/Macon%2070-79/MHS73.htm |archive-date=2011-10-05 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/south/story/braves-name-brian-snitker-new-manager-101116|title=Braves name Brian Snitker new manager|date=11 October 2016|website=Foxsports.com|access-date=18 December 2017}}
• Toby Towson, NCAA Gymnastics Champion, coach and dancer was a 1965 graduate of Macon High School{{cite web |url=http://www.meridian.k12.il.us/Alumni/Macon/Macon%2060-69/MHS65.htm |title=Macon 67 |access-date=2008-12-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005201457/http://www.meridian.k12.il.us/Alumni/Macon/Macon%2060-69/MHS65.htm |archive-date=2011-10-05 }}
• Art Wilson, (1885–1960), born in Macon, was a major league baseball catcher

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• {{Official website|maconcity.us}}

{{Macon County, Illinois}}

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Category:Cities in Illinois

Category:Cities in Macon County, Illinois