Total enrollment
14,702
-142 (-1%) vs SY 2020-21
Macon County
Illinois · Public K-12
Public-school enrollment in Macon County clocks in around 14,702 students across 43 schools (19 elementary, 7 middle, and 12 high).
4-year change in Macon County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
34
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Macon County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Illinois | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 28.7% | #86 of 88 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 14,702 | #19 of 89 | #606 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 34 | #20 of 89 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 16.3:1 | #89 of 89 | #2,146 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 61.1% | #13 of 89 | #1,070 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 61.4% | #15 of 89 | #494 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Macon County school rankings
Residents
101,849
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
43
9 districts
Enrollment
14,702
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$62,666
Below Illinois avg
Free/reduced lunch
61.1%
Above Illinois avg
Elementary
19
8,332 students
Middle
7
2,197 students
High
12
4,173 students
Combined / other
5
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Decatur SD 61
7,840 students · 9 districts in Macon County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Macon County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
24.4%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.8%
civilian labor
Median age
41
22.6% under 18
Test scores in Macon County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 23 schools ranked. Illinois state average: 51.0%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Warrensburg-Latham Middle Sch· 78.8%
- Maroa-Forsyth Middle School· 75.0%
- Warrensburg-Latham Elem Sch· 66.5%
- Maroa-Forsyth Grade School· 63.7%
- Mt Zion Jr High School· 60.8%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Hope Academy· 3.1%
- Franklin Grove Elem School· 8.6%
- Dennis Lab School· 10.6%
- South Shores Elem School· 11.4%
- Stephen Decatur Middle School· 12.8%
Cities in Macon County
About Macon County
Across the medium-population Illinois county of Macon County of about 101,849 residents, the public-school footprint covers 43 schools and about 14,702 students.
For perspective, census numbers show the median household earns about $62,666 a year, roughly 24% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 10% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 11% meaningfully below the Illinois median.
For a sense of the school types, Macon County is made up of 19 elementary schools (8,332 students), 7 middle schools (2,197), 12 high schools (4,173), and 5 combined or other schools.
Decatur SD 61 is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 7,840 students across Macon County.
Trend over the past 4 years. Total public-school enrollment in Macon County has remained close to its prior level since SY 2020-21, moving from about 14,844 students to 14,702.
On allk12, the community for Macon County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data