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Macomb, IL

Frequently asked questions

Macomb, IL

Macomb is a city in and the county seat of McDonough County, Illinois, United States. It is situated in western Illinois, about 75 miles (121 km) southwest of Peoria. As of the 2020 census the population of the city was 15,051, down from 19,288 in 2010. Macomb is the home of Western Illinois University.

The East Fork Lamoine River flows past the northern part of the city. U.S. Routes 67 and 136 pass through the city. They enter the city together from east on Jackson Street and split at the city center, US 67 turning north on Lafayette Street, and US 136 continuing west on Jackson Street. US 67 leads north 33 miles (53 km) to Monmouth and south 27 miles (43 km) to Rushville, while US 136 leads east 40 miles (64 km) to Havana and west 42 miles (68 km) to Keokuk, Iowa. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Macomb has a total area of 11.03 square miles (28.57 km²), of which 10.60 square miles (27.45 km²) are land and 0.43 square miles (1.11 km²), or 3.91%, is water.

First settled in 1829 on a site tentatively named "Washington", the town was officially founded in 1830 as the county seat of McDonough County and given the name "Macomb" after Alexander Macomb, a general in the War of 1812. War veterans were given land grants in the Macomb area, which was part of the "Military Tract" set aside by Congress. In 1855 the Northern Cross Railroad, a predecessor to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, was constructed through Macomb, leading to a rise in the town's population. On April 24, 1899, the Western Illinois State Normal School, currently Western Illinois University, was founded in Macomb. Representative Lawrence Sherman was instrumental in locating the school in Macomb. In 1903 the Macomb and Western Illinois Railway was built from Macomb to nearby Industry and Littleton by local financier Charles V. Chandler, though this railroad was abandoned in 1930. In 1918, construction on Illinois Route 3 was begun as a state-financed highway from Cairo to Rock Island through Macomb; in the late 1920s U.S. Route 67 was extended along this route to Dubuque, Iowa.

Macomb has been visited by several US Presidents over the years. Ulysses S. Grant, Andrew Johnson, Rutherford B. Hayes, William McKinley, and Theodore Roosevelt have all made short addresses in Macomb. On two occasions, Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama addressed large audiences before they were elected president. Obama was stumping for the U.S. Senate at the time, meaning a president or presidential nominee has not visited Macomb in 109 years and counting.

In the realm of health and wellness, Macomb prioritizes the well-being of its residents. McDonough District Hospital serves as a cornerstone of healthcare in the area, providing comprehensive medical services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Macomb Park District offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include CrossFit Macomb, YMCA, and MacTown Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Macomb, such as the Fox Trail and Spring Lake Deer Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Macomb, IL are the Western Illinois Museum, Argyle Lake State Park, and Macomb Corners Park.

Population: 15,051 (2020). ZIP Code: 61455. Area codes: 309, 861. Elevation: 643 ft (196 m). Area: 11.03 sq mi (28.57 km²).

FAQs

What is Macomb, IL is known for?

Elizabeth J. Magie was born in Macomb in 1866 to James Magie, a newspaper publisher and an abolitionist who accompanied Abe Lincoln as he traveled around Illinois in the late 1850s debating politics with Stephen Douglas. Lizzie went on to invent the precursor to what would become the world’s most popular board game; Monopoly. In the Spring of 2024 Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia and the city of Macomb will unveil Macombopoly: The World’s Largest Monopoly Game on the historic Downtown Square. Macomb is also the birthplace of Civil Rights pioneer C.T. Vivian, Rock & Roll progenitor “Big” Al Sears, famed bacteriologist Dr. Ruth Tunnicliff, and NFL Super Bowl coach “Red” Miller along with several other notable natives.

Is Macomb, IL a good place to live?

Living in Macomb offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. Many young professionals live in Macomb and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Macomb are above average.

What is the crime rate in Macomb, IL?

According to NeighborhoodScout's analysis of FBI crime statistics, Macomb is safer than 84% of the cities and towns in the US of all population sizes. In Illinois, only on the order of 24% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Macomb. If you live in Macomb, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in the community is 1 in 310. The US average across communities from the largest to the smallest is 1 in 43.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Macomb

McDonough District Hospital 

Macomb Park District 

CrossFit Macomb

YMCA 

MacTown Fitness

Fox Trail 

Spring Lake Deer Trail

Western Illinois Museum

Argyle Lake State Park

Macomb Corners Park

Visit Forgottonia

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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