Macomb is a slice of small-town Illinois that can appeal to an assortment of people
The city of Macomb, Illinois, attracts homebuyers for various reasons. On the one hand, Western Illinois University and major manufacturers, like Pella Windows and Doors, provide nearby employment opportunities for the city's 15,000 residents. Conversely, self-starters can pursue agricultural opportunities in surrounding rural areas or open small businesses downtown. The city's real estate market also affords options, from lower-priced homes requiring renovation and investment to move-in ready houses with competitive prices to surrounding areas. According to Curt Myers, a Realtor and land specialist with Base Camp Country Real Estate who grew up in the region, what unites the community, is its small-town spirit. “I just love the close-knit community. Everybody’s willing to help everybody for the most part. If something goes wrong, if somebody posts a Facebook post about missing a dog, the whole community is looking for it.”
The city of Macomb, Illinois is a community with a small town spirit.
Modern ranch style homes are newly built in Macomb, IL.
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From Blevins to Hillcrest, the city offers homes for a value
Midcentury ranch-style homes and bungalows prevail in Macomb subdivisions like Blevins and Riverdale. Houses requiring remodeling and investment start at around $30,000, while more spacious and well-maintained options cost up to $400,000. Construction since the turn of the 21st century has been comparatively limited but can be found in developments like Hillcrest and Woodland Estates, where prices fall between $120,000 and $500,000. “We got a variety,” Myers says. “If you want to spend $80,000 on a house you can, and get something that’s really decent for that price. But then, if you got a $300,000 budget, we’ve got homes in the area suitable for that, too.” The median price here is $115,000, which is on par with Canton, a comparatively sized city in the region.
New construction is available in Macomb at Woodland Estates featuring spacious lots.
Hillcrest Estates is a neighborhood in Macomb, IL where prices can reach $500,000.
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Western Illinois has a wide influence
Myers says Macomb's biggest draw is Western Illinois University, a public school with about 6,300 students. It’s the city’s largest employer by far, employing 1,800 people. Among its features is a School of Agriculture with a 400-acre campus farm. “Our biggest thing in this area is, other than the university, we’re a farming community,” Myers says. The area's agriculture sector contributes to Illinois’ standing as the nation’s top soybean producer. Companies, including Pella and NTN-Bower, a roller bearings producer, provide manufacturing opportunities. The 48-bed McDonough District Hospital is another significant employer.
WIU's campus is in a northwest pocket of Macomb and has more than 100 programs.
Macomb's agriculture contributes to Illinois’ standing as the nation’s top soybean producer.
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A day at Spring Lake is available within the city
Macomb’s urban core unfolds into rural expanses on the city’s outskirts. That’s where locals find attractions like Spring Lake Park, along the 230-acre Spring Lake. The lake is open to fishing and boating, including kayaking and canoeing. The park space offers playgrounds and 12 miles of biking trails. Within the city, the Macomb Parks District operates several parks for youth sports, and the organization oversees programming for the community. Further, spots like Chandler Park and Veterans Park host some of Macomb’s community events. In the city’s downtown, Chandler is home to the Macomb Farmers Market on Thursdays and Saturdays from May to October. Veterans Park, on the north end of town, has Friday-night movies in the park once a month from June to August.
The YMCA of McDonough is an option for indoor recreation for a fee. It has a racquetball court, an indoor pool and an indoor track — amenities that can come in handy in an area where the weather can vary greatly. “It’s hot and humid in the summer and has the potential to be really cold in the winter, even though it seems like they’re getting really mild,” Myers says.“ January and February can be really cold times. Spring and fall are beautiful here. You can see all four seasons in one day here.”
Chandler Park hosts many of Macomb's community events.
Spring Lake Park in Macomb is open to fishing and boating, including kayaking and canoeing.
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Historic downtown has received modern improvements
Macomb’s historic downtown orbits around its courthouse square, which includes the McDonough County Courthouse, built in 1871, and other buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The area has received millions of dollars in improvements in recent years, especially to sidewalks and light fixtures. Downtown has a mix of local restaurants and businesses. It’s also the site of multiple events, including Heritage Days, a four-day festival in late June with music, rides, a car show, and more. “There’s always something to do there,” Myers says.
Downtown Macomb has a mix of local restaurants and businesses.
Enjoy the historic buildings centrally located in Downtown Macomb.
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Dual credit opportunities at Macomb High cross multiple disciplines
Macomb School District carries a B-minus rating on Niche. B-rated Macomb Senior High has dual-credit courses in fields ranging from welding to political science.
WIU's campus is in a northwest pocket of town and has more than 100 programs. Law enforcement and justice administration and elementary education are among the most popular undergraduate majors. Spoon River College, a two-year community college, also has a campus in Macomb.
Spoon River College, a two-year community college, also has a campus in Macomb.
Macomb Senior High is home of the Bombers.
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Go West helps locals get around
A bus service dubbed Go West has more than a dozen routes around the city. There’s also an Amtrak station downtown with two trains running daily between Chicago and Quincy, Illinois. The Southeast Iowa Regional Airport is a 50-mile trip to the Iowa-Illinois state line and operates two daily flights to Chicago and St. Louis.
Crime
According to the Illinois Uniform Crime Reporting database, crime rates dropped significantly across multiple offenses from 2023 to 2024, including aggravated assault and battery, burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.
Curt considers himself blessed to have grown up in Western Illinois. From an early age, he was immersed in the outdoors, thanks to his father, who owned an archery shop and check station in their garage. Curt has vivid memories of "helping" in the bow shop as a toddler, and eagerly examining customers' harvested deer in the back of trucks.
As Curt grew older, he had the privilege of accompanying his father to the timber, joining him in deer stands and turkey blinds. The first time he heard a long-beard gobble and witnessed his father harvest a deer are cherished childhood memories that fueled his passion for hunting. At the age of seven, in 1997, Curt harvested his first turkey, and three years later, in 2000, he managed to meet the minimum draw weight for his bow, the High Country Machine Supreme. That accomplishment allowed him to harvest his first whitetail doe. These two hunts ignited a deep passion within him, and he began saving every penny for hunting equipment.
Over the past 22 years, Curt has been fortunate and blessed in his hunting career, successfully harvesting numerous whitetails and turkeys. In 2003, he and his family started intensively managing their land through timber stand improvements, selective tree harvesting, and the establishment of summer and winter food plots for wildlife. This experience revealed that his true passion extended beyond whitetails and turkeys to encompass all wildlife and habitat. Watching deer evolve and thrive in the habitat he created, and observing the reactions of various wildlife species, brought him an indescribable sense of fulfillment.
The diligent land management efforts have yielded significant rewards, reinforcing Curt's unwavering passion for the outdoors and wildlife. He continues to relish every moment he spends in the woods. However, his focus has shifted towards sharing his love for the outdoors with his fiancé, Jenessa, and their three children, Avery, Liam, and Huntleigh. Introducing them to the ways of the outdoors and witnessing their excitement and success in the field bring him unparalleled joy and fulfillment. Curt hopes that his family members will develop their own enduring drive and passion for the outdoors, mirroring his own.
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