Macon County
IL · Pop. 102,591 · Mixed County
Macon County, Illinois covers 581 square miles with a population of 102,591 and a density of 176.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, wheat. The median home price is $122,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.1%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 86°F and average winter lows of 21.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 40.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Decatur Memorial Hospital is 0.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $122,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Decatur Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 0.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.1% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Macon County, IL is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 36/100
- Median home price
- $122k
- Property tax
- 2.1%
- Growing season
- 182 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 40.3"
- Broadband
- 96.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Decatur Memorial Hospital, 0.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Macon County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Macon County?
- Macon County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 86°F, and average winter lows of 21.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $122,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.1%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Decatur Memorial Hospital is 0.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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