Total enrollment
3,250
-145 (-4%) vs SY 2017-18
McDonough County
Illinois · Public K-12
Public K-12 schools in McDonough County number 19, teaching approximately 3,250 Illinois students against a population of 26,920. That works out to 9 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools.
7-year change in McDonough County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
12
-3 (-20%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
77%
was 83%
% Hispanic
4%
was 3%
% Black
11%
was 6%
% Asian
1%
was 2%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
26,920
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
19
5 districts
Enrollment
3,250
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$52,795
Below Illinois avg
Free/reduced lunch
56.0%
Above Illinois avg
Elementary
9
1,555 students
Middle
3
690 students
High
5
1,005 students
Combined / other
2
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Macomb CUSD 185
2,075 students · 5 districts in McDonough County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of McDonough 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+
31.4%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
7.9%
civilian labor
Median age
35
18.0% under 18
Test scores in McDonough County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Illinois state average: 51.0%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Bushnell-Prairie City Elem Sch· 17.8%
- West Prairie North Elementary Sch· 27.4%
- Edison Elementary School· 29.4%
- Bushnell-Prairie City Jr High Sch· 37.1%
- Macomb Middle School· 41.8%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macomb Senior High School | Macomb | High | 09-12 | 660 | · |
| Macomb Middle School | Macomb | Middle | 06-08 | 479 | · |
| Lincoln Elem School | Macomb | Elementary | KG-02 | 412 | · |
| Edison Elementary School | Macomb | Elementary | 03-05 | 397 | · |
| Bushnell-Prairie City Elem Sch | Bushnell | Elementary | PK-05 | 296 | · |
| West Prairie South Elementary Sch | Colchester | Elementary | PK-06 | 182 | · |
| Bushnell-Prairie City High Sch | Bushnell | High | 09-12 | 175 | · |
| West Prairie Senior High School | Colchester | High | 09-12 | 170 | · |
| West Prairie North Elementary Sch | Good Hope | Elementary | PK-06 | 141 | · |
| Bushnell-Prairie City Jr High Sch | Bushnell | Middle | 06-08 | 131 | · |
| MacArthur Early Childhood Center | Macomb | Elementary | PK-PK | 127 | · |
| West Prairie Junior High School | Colchester | Middle | 07-08 | 80 | · |
| ROE 26 LEAP | Macomb | Combined | 04-12 | 0 | · |
| ROYALS Academy Macomb | Macomb | High | 06-12 | 0 | · |
| ROYALS RSSP Macomb | Macomb | High | 06-12 | 0 | · |
| Western Area Career System 265 | Macomb | Combined | KG-12 | 0 | · |
| Project Insight | Macomb | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
| WCISEC HS ED | Macomb | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
| WCISEC MD | Colchester | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
Cities in McDonough County
About McDonough County
McDonough County is a compact county of about 26,920 residents in Illinois. Its public-school system teaches approximately 3,250 students across 19 schools.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show median household income runs near $52,795, about 31% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 10%. That income level is 25% below the Illinois median.
Looking at the level breakdown, McDonough County comprises 9 elementary schools (1,555 students), 3 middle schools (690), 5 high schools (1,005), and 2 combined or other schools.
Macomb CUSD 185 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 2,075 students on its own.
Trend over the past 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in McDonough County has declined 4% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 3,395 students to 3,250. McDonough County now counts 12 public schools, down from 15 in SY 2017-18. The White share of public-school enrollment declined from 83% to 77%.
On allk12, the community for McDonough County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
McDonough County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data