Editing McDonough County, Illinois

{{Short description|County in Illinois, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = McDonough County
 | state                = Illinois
 | flag                 = Flag of McDonough County, Illinois.png
 | seal                 = 
 | founded              = January 25, 1826
 | seat wl              = Macomb
 | largest city wl      = Macomb
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 590
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 589
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 0.8
 | area percentage      = 0.1
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 27238
 | pop_est_as_of        = 
 | population_est       = 
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Central
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = http://mcg.mcdonough.il.us/
 | ex image             = McDonough County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[McDonough County Courthouse]], 2006
 | district             = 15th
 | district2            = 17th
 | named for            = [[Thomas Macdonough]]
}}

'''McDonough County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Illinois]]. According to the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], it had a population of 27,238.<ref>{{cite web|title=McDonough County, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/McDonough_County,_Illinois?g=050XX00US17109|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 10, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Macomb, Illinois|Macomb]],<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> which is also the home of [[Western Illinois University]].

McDonough County is part of the Macomb, IL [[Macomb, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==

McDonough County is named in honor of [[Thomas Macdonough]] who defeated a British squadron in the decisive naval [[Battle of Lake Champlain]] in the [[War of 1812]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Gannett|first=Henry|title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ|year=1905|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n192 193]}}</ref> McDonough County was part of the [[Military Tract of 1812|"Military Tract"]] set aside by Congress for veterans of the War of 1812.

<gallery>
File:McDonough County Illinois 1826.png|McDonough County at the time of its creation in 1826
</gallery>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|590|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|589|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.8|sqmi}} (0.1%) is water.<ref name="census-density"/>

The county has the unusual distinction of forming a perfect square by Mercator map projection. The county seat, [[Macomb, Illinois|Macomb]], is in the center of the county, and the courthouse is almost precisely in the center of the county.

===Climate and weather===
{{climate chart
|[[Macomb, Illinois]]
|13|32|1.47
|18|38|1.68
|29|50|2.86
|39|62|3.82
|50|73|4.58
|60|83|4.38
|64|87|4.54
|62|85|3.54
|54|77|3.99
|42|66|2.85
|31|50|3.15
|19|36|2.28
|float=right
|units=imperial
|clear=both
|source=The Weather Channel<ref name="weather">{{cite web
  |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL0706
  |title=Monthly Averages for Macomb, Illinois
  |access-date=January 27, 2011
  |publisher=The Weather Channel
}}</ref>}}
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Macomb have ranged from a low of {{convert|13|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|87|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-30|°F}} was recorded in February 1905 and a record high of {{convert|113|°F}} was recorded in August 1934. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|1.47|in}} in January to {{convert|4.58|in}} in May.<ref name="weather"/>

===Public transit===
* [[Go West Transit]]
* [[Macomb station|Macomb Amtrak station]]

===Major highways===
* [[Image:US 67.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 67]]
* [[Image:US 136.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 136]]
* [[Image:Illinois 9.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 9]]
* [[Image:Illinois 41.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 41]]
* [[Image:Illinois 61.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 61]]
* [[Image:Illinois 95.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 95]]
* [[Image:Illinois 110.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 110]]
*[[Image:Illinois 336.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 336]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Henderson County, Illinois|Henderson County]] - northwest
* [[Warren County, Illinois|Warren County]] - north
* [[Fulton County, Illinois|Fulton County]] - east
* [[Schuyler County, Illinois|Schuyler County]] - south
* [[Hancock County, Illinois|Hancock County]] - west

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1840= 5308
|1850= 7616
|1860= 20069
|1870= 26509
|1880= 27970
|1890= 27467
|1900= 28412
|1910= 26887
|1920= 27074
|1930= 27329
|1940= 26944
|1950= 28199
|1960= 28928
|1970= 36653
|1980= 37467
|1990= 35244
|2000= 32913
|2010= 32612
|2020= 27238
|estyear=2023
|estimate=26839
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 2, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 7, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=July 7, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/il190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 7, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 7, 2014}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/17109.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 7, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606203410/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/17109.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 }}</ref>
}}

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 32,612&nbsp;people, 13,057&nbsp;households, and 6,724&nbsp;families residing in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US17109
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=July 12, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213012533/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US17109
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|55.3|PD/sqmi}}. There were 14,419 housing units at an average density of {{convert|24.5|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US17109
  |access-date=July 12, 2015
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212201807/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US17109
  |archive-date=February 12, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 90.4% white, 5.0% black or African American, 1.8% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.7% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 25.0% were [[Germans|German]], 14.7% were [[Americans|American]], 13.7% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 12.7% were [[English people|English]], and 5.1% were [[Italians|Italian]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US17109
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=July 12, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213020024/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US17109
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 13,057&nbsp;households, 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 48.5% were non-families, and 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age was 28.9 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $33,702 and the median income for a family was $52,390. Males had a median income of $42,297 versus $28,530 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,344. About 12.8% of families and 23.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.7% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US17109
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=July 12, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213021203/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US17109
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Bushnell, Illinois|Bushnell]]
* [[Colchester, Illinois|Colchester]]
* [[Macomb, Illinois|Macomb]] (seat)

===Villages===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Bardolph, Illinois|Bardolph]]
* [[Blandinsville, Illinois|Blandinsville]]
* [[Good Hope, Illinois|Good Hope]]
* [[Industry, Illinois|Industry]]
* [[Plymouth, Illinois|Plymouth]] (partial)
* [[Prairie City, Illinois|Prairie City]]
* [[Sciota, Illinois|Sciota]]
* [[Tennessee, Illinois|Tennessee]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
* [[Adair, Illinois|Adair]]
* [[Georgetown, McDonough County, Illinois|Georgetown]]

===Other unincorporated place===
* [[Colmar, Illinois|Colmar]]
* [[Doddsville, Illinois|Doddsville]]
* [[Fandon, Illinois|Fandon]]
* Hills Grove
* New Philadelphia 
* Scottsburg
* [[Vishnu Springs, Illinois|Vishnu Springs]]
* [[Walnut Grove, McDonough County, Illinois|Walnut Grove]]

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Bethel Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Bethel Township]]
* [[Blandinsville Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Blandinsville Township]]
* [[Bushnell Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Bushnell Township]]
* [[Chalmers Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Chalmers Township]]
* [[Colchester Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Colchester Township]]
* [[Eldorado Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Eldorado Township]]
* [[Emmet Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Emmet Township]]
* [[Hire Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Hire Township]]
* [[Industry Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Industry Township]]
* [[Lamoine Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Lamoine Township]]
* [[Macomb Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Macomb Township]]
* [[Macomb City Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Macomb City Township]]
* [[Mound Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Mound Township]]
* [[New Salem Township, McDonough County, Illinois|New Salem Township]]
* [[Prairie City Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Prairie City Township]]
* [[Sciota Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Sciota Township]]
* [[Scotland Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Scotland Township]]
* [[Tennessee Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Tennessee Township]]
* [[Walnut Grove Township, McDonough County, Illinois|Walnut Grove Township]]
{{div col end}}

==Education==
The following K-12 school districts include parts of McDonough County:<ref name=McDonoughCOSDMap2020>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17109_mcdonough/DC20SD_C17109.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: McDonough County, IL|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|date=December 22, 2020|access-date=2025-04-05}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17109_mcdonough/DC20SD_C17109_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

McDonough County is served by three school districts and two colleges:
*[[West Prairie Community Unit School District 103]]
*[[Bushnell Prairie City Community Unit School District 170]]
*[[Macomb Community Unit School District 185]]
*[[Schuyler-Industry Community Unit School District 5]]
*[[Southeastern Community Unit School District 337]]
*[[V.I.T. Community Unit School District 2]]
*[[West Central Community Unit School District 235]]

There is also a portion of the county in the [[La Harpe Community School District 347]] (elementary school district) and the [[Illini West High School District 307]].<ref name=McDonoughCOSDMap2020/>

These two colleges are in the county:
*[[Spoon River College]], Macomb campus
*[[Western Illinois University]]

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=McDonough County, Illinois|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 22, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|6,987|4,736|302|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|7,027|4,992|308|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|6,795|5,288|1,061|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|6,147|5,967|340|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|6,055|6,783|234|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|7,656|7,119|154|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|6,465|6,080|467|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|5,049|5,632|1,354|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|5,297|5,814|2,811|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|7,173|5,247|73|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|9,383|4,561|57|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|8,995|4,093|1,501|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|9,683|5,464|387|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|10,573|5,143|22|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|8,496|3,785|643|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|6,907|6,144|0|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|9,363|4,520|10|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|9,725|3,872|8|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|10,126|3,922|5|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|8,058|4,206|109|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|9,028|4,497|91|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|10,326|5,783|108|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|8,723|7,138|151|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|6,329|7,608|168|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|8,953|4,104|81|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|7,505|4,016|785|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|7,221|3,930|279|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|7,192|5,740|617|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,876|2,959|2,138|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|3,733|3,112|467|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|4,041|2,730|528|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|4,076|3,444|213|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|4,036|3,684|169|Illinois}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|3,319|3,237|547|Illinois}}

McDonough County is split between [[Illinois's 15th congressional district|Illinois’ 15th Congressional District]] and [[Illinois's 17th congressional district|Illinois' 17th Congressional District]], with the majority of the county in the 15th. The Cities of [[Macomb, Illinois|Macomb]] and [[Bardolph, Illinois|Bardolph]] are included in the 17th district, and the cities of [[Bushnell, Illinois|Bushnell]], [[Colchester, Illinois|Colchester]], [[Prairie City, Illinois|Prairie City]], [[Good Hope, Illinois|Good Hope]], [[Sciota, Illinois|Sciota]], [[Industry, Illinois|Industry]] and [[Adair, Illinois|Adair]] are in the 15th district. The 15th District is currently represented by Republican [[Mary Miller (politician)|Mary Miller]]. The 17th District is currently represented by Democrat [[Eric Sorensen (politician)|Eric Sorenson]]. For the [[Illinois House of Representatives]], the county is yet again split between the 71st district and the 94th district. The Cities of Macomb, Bushnell, Bardolph, and Prairie City are represented by Republican [[Daniel Swanson]] of the 71st district. The cities of Colchester, Industry, Good Hope, Sciota, and Adair are currently represented by Republican [[Norine Hammond]] of the 94th district. The county is split along the same lines in the Illinois House as it is in the Illinois Senate, thus the 71st district of the house's lines are the same as the 36th district of the Illinois Senate. The 36th district of the Illinois Senate is represented by Democrat [[Michael Halpin]]. The 47th district of the Illinois Senate is represented by Republican [[Neil Anderson (Illinois politician)|Neil Anderson]].

In presidential elections, McDonough County was once reliably Republican, voting for the Republican candidate in all but two elections (1912 & 1932) from 1892 to 1988. Since 1988, the county has become more competitive, with Democrats carrying the county three out of seven times and holding the Republican candidate's margin of victory to under four points three times. In 2020, however, McDonough County went for Trump by a margin of 16.5%, and in 2024 by nearly 19%.

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in McDonough County, Illinois]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Wikivoyage inline|McDonough County}}
* http://www.outfitters.com/illinois/mcdonough/
* https://web.archive.org/web/20071012114524/http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/irad/mcdonough.html
* [http://www.mcg.mcdonough.il.us/ McDonough County website]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = McDonough County, Illinois
|North     = [[Warren County, Illinois|Warren County]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Fulton County, Illinois|Fulton County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Schuyler County, Illinois|Schuyler County]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Hancock County, Illinois|Hancock County]]
|Northwest = [[Henderson County, Illinois|Henderson County]]
}}
{{McDonough County, Illinois}}
{{Illinois}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|40.46|-90.68|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-IL_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:McDonough County, Illinois| ]]
[[Category:1826 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Illinois counties]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1826]]