Macon, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Macon, Illinois
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Location in Macon County, Illinois
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 Macon, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Macon |
| Township | South Macon |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.45 sq mi (3.76 km2) |
| • Land | 1.45 sq mi (3.76 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 721 ft (220 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,177 |
| • Density | 811.16/sq mi (313.27/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
62544
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| Area code(s) | 217 |
| FIPS code | 17-45941 |
Macon is a city in Macon County, Illinois, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,177 people lived there. It's part of the larger Decatur, Illinois area and is located about 9 miles (14 km) south of Decatur.
Contents
History of Macon
The city of Macon was named after Nathaniel Macon (1758–1837). He was an important American politician.
Macon was first planned in 1856 on land owned by the Illinois Central Railroad. It officially became a city on April 19, 1869.
Geography of Macon
Macon is located in the southern part of Macon County. Its exact location is 39°42′33″N 89°0′1″W / 39.70917°N 89.00028°W.
The U.S. Census Bureau says that Macon covers a total area of about 1.45 square miles (3.76 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Main Roads in Macon
U.S. Highway 51 goes north for about 9 miles (14 km) to Decatur. Decatur is the main city in Macon County. The highway also goes south for about 25 miles (40 km) to Pana.
People in Macon
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 793 | — | |
| 1890 | 819 | 3.3% | |
| 1900 | 705 | −13.9% | |
| 1910 | 683 | −3.1% | |
| 1920 | 788 | 15.4% | |
| 1930 | 800 | 1.5% | |
| 1940 | 875 | 9.4% | |
| 1950 | 942 | 7.7% | |
| 1960 | 1,229 | 30.5% | |
| 1970 | 1,249 | 1.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,300 | 4.1% | |
| 1990 | 1,282 | −1.4% | |
| 2000 | 1,213 | −5.4% | |
| 2010 | 1,138 | −6.2% | |
| 2020 | 1,177 | 3.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,213 people living in Macon. Most of the people (about 98.85%) were White. There were also small numbers of African American and Asian residents. About 0.58% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 26% of the people in Macon were under 18 years old. About 19.1% were 65 years or older. The average age in the city was 40 years.
Sports in Macon
High School Sports
On June 4, 1971, the Macon High School baseball team came in second place. This happened at the Illinois High School Association championship tournament. Their amazing journey to the state tournament is told in a book. It's called One Shot at Forever: A Small Town, an Unlikely Coach, and a Magical Baseball Season. The book was written by Chris Ballard in 2012.
Brian Snitker was a player on that baseball team. He later joined the Atlanta Braves as a player in 1977. He became their third base coach. In 2013, he was named the manager of Atlanta's Triple-A team, the Gwinnett Braves. In 2016, the Atlanta Braves made Snitker their main manager.
On May 27, 2006, Rodney Oyler from Meridian High School became a state champion. He was the first individual to win the 800-meter run at the IHSA Illinois Boys State Championship.
The Meridian Hawks boys' basketball team won the Class 1A Illinois High School Association State Championship in 2009.
Auto Racing in Macon
Macon is home to Macon Speedway. This is a 1/5 mile (0.32 km) dirt oval track. It has been open since 1946.
In 2006, the track had fewer fans, and the owner was having trouble keeping it open. In early 2007, three NASCAR drivers bought Macon Speedway. They were Tony Stewart, Ken Schrader, and Kenny Wallace. Since they bought it, parts of the track have been improved. This includes new fences and freshly painted grandstands.
Famous People from Macon
- Dale Connelly: He was a co-host for Minnesota Public Radio's Morning Show. He graduated from Macon High School in 1973.
- Nelson G. Kraschel: He was the governor of Iowa from 1937 to 1939. He was born on a farm near Macon on October 27, 1889.
- Brian Snitker: He is the manager of the Atlanta Braves baseball team. He was also a professional baseball player. He graduated from Macon High School in 1973.
- Toby Towson: He was an NCAA Gymnastics Champion, coach, and dancer. He graduated from Macon High School in 1965.
- Art Wilson: (1885–1960) He was born in Macon. He was a major league baseball catcher.
See also
In Spanish: Macon (Illinois) para niños
