Fatal crashes in Macon County, Illinois
In 2024, 13 people died in 13 fatal crashes in Macon County, Illinois, 35.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 128 fatal crashes and 136 deaths, the 16th most of 102 counties in Illinois.
12.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.3 across Illinois in 2024; 13.1 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 100,737, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Illinois.
Deaths in Macon County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | 13 |
| 2023 | 20 | 20 |
| 2022 | 9 | 9 |
| 2021 | 9 | 11 |
| 2020 | 18 | 22 |
| 2019 | 11 | 11 |
| 2018 | 11 | 11 |
| 2017 | 12 | 12 |
| 2016 | 7 | 7 |
| 2015 | 18 | 20 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Macon County
State Highway 121 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Macon County from 2015 to 2024: 14, with 15 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 41% of all fatal crashes in Macon County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 3 state highways. 45% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 55% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 121 | 14 | 15 | 6 | no page |
| 2 | US 36 | 13 | 14 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | US 51 | 9 | 9 | 3 | |
| 4 | State Highway 48 | 8 | 9 | 2 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 105 | 8 | 8 | 3 | no page |
Decatur had 49% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 63 of 128.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Decatur 63. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen in Macon County
128 fatal crashes in Macon County, Illinois from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 7 pm to 8 pm; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.0%
- Feb5.5%
- Mar5.5%
- Apr8.6%
- May8.6%
- Jun8.6%
- Jul10.9%
- Aug11.7%
- Sep8.6%
- Oct8.6%
- Nov8.6%
- Dec7.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Macon County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 49%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 23%, a pedestrian in 10%, a rollover in 8.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 63 | 49% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 30 | 23% |
| Pedestrian | 13 | 10% |
| Rollover | 11 | 8.6% |
| Other | 6 | 4.7% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 3.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.8% |
| Not reported | 0 | 0.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Macon County compare with Illinois
The largest difference from Illinois: from 2015 to 2024, 24% of fatal crashes in Macon County were with a motorcycle, against 14% across Illinois. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Illinois. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 128 crashes.
| Macon | Illinois | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 34% | 34% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| At or near an intersection | 38% | 30% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 30% | 25% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| A drinking driver | 34% | 27% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| Speeding | 29% | 37% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.2% | 9.8% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 41% | 46% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.7% | 8.4% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| A motorcycle involved | 24% | 14% | above the Illinois share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 10% | 16% | about the same as the Illinois share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Questions about fatal crashes in Macon County, Illinois
- How many people died in car accidents in Macon County in 2024?
- 13 people died in 13 fatal crashes in Macon County, Illinois, in 2024, 35.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 12.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.3 across Illinois. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Macon County?
- State Highway 121 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Macon County from 2015 to 2024: 14, with 15 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Macon County involved a drinking driver?
- 44 of 128 fatal crashes in Macon County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 34%, against 27% across Illinois.
Other counties in Illinois with a page
- Cook County
- Will County
- Lake County
- DuPage County
- St. Clair County
- Madison County
- Kane County
- Winnebago County
- Sangamon County
- McHenry County
- LaSalle County
- Peoria County
All fatal crashes in Illinois, with every county ranked.
Where the Macon County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Macon County (county code 115). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/illinois/macon-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”