Editing Macon County, North Carolina

{{Short description|County in North Carolina, United States}}
{{Distinguish|Macon, North Carolina}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Macon County
 | state                = North Carolina
 | ex image             = The Macon County Courthouse in Franklin, North Carolina 06.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Macon County Courthouse in Franklin
 | seal                 = Macon County, North Carolina Seal.png
 | founded              = 1828
 | named for            = [[Nathaniel Macon]]
 | seat wl              = Franklin
 | largest city wl      = Franklin
 | city type            = community
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 519.67
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 515.58
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 4.09
 | area percentage      = 0.79
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 37014
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 38412 {{gain}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = 71.79
 | coordinates          = {{coord|35.15|-83.42|type:adm2nd_region:US-NC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | website              = {{URL|https://maconnc.org/|maconnc.org}}
 | district             = 11th
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | flag                 = Macon County Flag.gif
}}

'''Macon County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Carolina]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 37,014.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> Its [[county seat]] is [[Franklin, North Carolina|Franklin]].<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}}</ref>

The [[Nantahala River]] runs through Macon County, flowing into the Little Tennessee River in [[Swain County, North Carolina|Swain County]]. The Nantahala is one of the most popular [[whitewater rafting]] destinations in the nation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theblueridgehighlander.com/rivers_creeks_in_the_mtns/north_carolina/nantahala_river.html|title=The New Blue Ridge Highlander|website=theblueridgehighlander.com|access-date=March 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>[http://www.noc.com/index.php/nantahala.html Nantahala Outdoor Center] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209070930/http://www.noc.com/index.php/nantahala.html |date=February 9, 2009 }}</ref>

==History==
The river valleys were long occupied by indigenous peoples, some of whom built earthwork mounds about 1000 AD. Some are still visible in this region. It was part of the homeland of the historic [[Cherokee]] people, who had towns throughout the river valleys. The Cherokee in Western North Carolina are known as the [[Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians]], a federally recognized tribe.

The county was formed in 1828 from the western part of [[Haywood County, North Carolina|Haywood County]]. It was named for [[Nathaniel Macon]],<ref>{{cite book|last=Gannett|first=Henry|author-link=Henry Gannett|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/n194 195]}}</ref> who represented North Carolina in the [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1791 to 1815 (serving as [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]] from 1801 to 1807), and in the [[United States Senate]] from 1815 to 1828. Macon County's first courthouse was a brick building constructed by Colonel David Coleman in Franklin in 1829.<ref name="court">{{cite web |url=http://www.courthouses.co/us-states/n/north-carolina/macon-county/ |title=Macon County |last=Harder |first=Dean |last2=Bahadoosingh |first2=Virine |work=Courthouses.co |date=2012 |access-date=February 16, 2024}}</ref>

In 1839 the western part of Macon County became [[Cherokee County, North Carolina|Cherokee County]]. In 1851 parts of Macon County and Haywood County were combined to form [[Jackson County, North Carolina|Jackson County]].

[[File:The clock tower of the old Macon County Courthouse (1881–1972) in Franklin NC 03.jpg|thumb|The clock tower of the old Macon County Courthouse (1881–1972)]]
A new two-story brick courthouse was designed by William Gould Bulgin and constructed by John Davis in 1881. The neighboring [[Clay County Courthouse (North Carolina)|Clay County Courthouse]] was modeled after it. Macon County's historic courthouse was demolished when a new three-story modern neo-formalist courthouse was built in 1972 by architect Kyle C Boone. However, the former courthouse's cupola was saved and remains on display in a downtown park.<ref name="court" />

Macon County's first hospital opened in Franklin in August 1923. In 1926, the first permanent hospital in North Carolina west of [[Asheville, North Carolina|Asheville]] was built and named Angel Brothers Hospital. It was renamed Angel Hospital in 1940. A new $68 million [[Angel Medical Center]] was built east of Franklin in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lofthouse |first=Brittney |date=September 12, 2022 |title=Nearly 100 years after Dr. Angel launched Angel Medical Center, new hospital facility to hold ribbon cutting on Tuesday |url=https://thesouthernscoopnews.com/latest-news/nearly-100-years-after-dr-angel-launched-angel-medical-center-new-hospital-facility-to-hold-ribbon-cutting-on-tuesday |access-date=April 20, 2024 |website=The Southern Scoop |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Franklin Academy Franklin Terrace Inn, Franklin, NC (31714580827).jpg|thumb|[[Franklin Terrace Hotel]] in Franklin]]

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q507575|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Macon County}}
[[File:Aerial view of downtown Franklin, North Carolina, in Macon County 12.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of Franklin]]
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|519.67|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|515.58|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|4.09|sqmi}} (0.79%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_37.txt |access-date=September 9, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

Of the land in Macon County, {{convert|239.31|sqmi|km2|0}} (46.1%) are federal lands that lie within the [[Nantahala National Forest]] and are administered by the [[United States Forest Service]]. Of the {{convert|239.31|sqmi|km2|0}} of USFS land, {{convert|71.56|sqmi|km2|0}} lie in the Highlands Ranger District and the remaining {{convert|167.75|sqmi|km2|0}} lie in the Wayah Ranger District.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ltlt.org/fp02172006.html |title=USFS lands may hit the auction block |access-date=February 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705020808/http://ltlt.org/fp02172006.html |archive-date=July 5, 2008  }} Land Trust for the Little Tennessee</ref>  The county's largest natural water supply is the [[Cullasaja River]]. The [[Nantahala River]] also runs through the county, and flows into the [[Little Tennessee River]]. The [[Appalachian Trail]] winds through the western end of Macon County.

As of 2024, Macon County has 21,973 acres devoted to agriculture, with a total of 346 farms.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Randy |date=2024-10-15 |title=County facing challenges to local economy |url=https://www.cherokeescout.com/index.php/local-newsletter/county-facing-challenges-local-economy |access-date=2024-10-17 |work=[[Cherokee Scout]] |pages=1A,8A}}</ref>

===National protected areas===
* [[Appalachian Trail]] (part)
* [[Ellicott Rock Wilderness]] (part)
* [[Nantahala National Forest]] (part)

===State and local protected areas/sites===
{{See also|Category:Protected areas of Macon County, North Carolina}}
* [[Euchella Site]]
* [[Fires Creek|Fires Creek Wildlife Management Area]] (part)<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands"/>
* [[Nantahala National Forest Game Land]] (part)<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands">{{Cite web |title=NCWRC Game Lands |url=https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/gamelands |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=www.ncpaws.org}}</ref>
* [[Needmore Game Land]] (part)<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands"/>
* [[Tessentee Bottomland Preserve]]

===Waterfalls===
====Cullasaja Falls====
{{main|Cullasaja Falls}}
'''Cullasaja Falls''' is a [[waterfall]] in Southwestern [[North Carolina]] east of [[Franklin, North Carolina|Franklin]]. The waterfall is located on the [[Cullasaja River]] in the [[Nantahala National Forest]] and is part of the [[Mountain Waters Scenic Byway]].  ''Cullasaja'' comes from a Cherokee word meaning "honey locust place."  The falls is the last major waterfall on the Cullasaja River.<ref name="Kevin Adams Book">Kevin Adams, ''North Carolina Waterfalls'', p. 470</ref>  The falls is a long cascade over the course of {{convert|0.2|mi|m|sigfig=1}}. The height of the falls is given as {{convert|200|ft|m|abbr=on}} in Kevin Adams' book, North Carolina Waterfalls<ref name="Kevin Adams Book" /> and {{convert|250|ft|m|abbr=on}} by NCWaterfalls.com.<ref name="NC Waterfalls Height">[http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/cull1.htm NCWaterfalls.com]</ref>  Google Earth gives a height (based on the elevation of the water at the top of the falls and the elevation of the plunge pool at the bottom of the falls) of {{convert|137|ft|m|abbr=on}}.

The falls can be glimpsed from vehicles on the road; however, getting a better view of the falls is not easy. The falls are located beside of a series of blind curves on [[U.S. Highway 64|Highway 64]] with sheer rock cliffs above and below the road. There is only one small pull-off near the falls, but walking on the road puts visitors in danger of being hit by a passing vehicle. This water fall is just up the road of the Cullasaja River RV Park.

====Dry Falls====
{{main|Dry Falls (Macon County)}}
'''Dry Falls''', also known as Upper Cullasaja Falls, is a {{convert|65|ft|m|adj=on}} [[waterfall]] located in the [[Nantahala National Forest]], northwest of [[Highlands, North Carolina]]. Dry Falls flows on the [[Cullasaja River]] through the Nantahala National Forest. It is part of a series of waterfalls on an {{convert|8.7|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch of the river that eventually ends with [[Cullasaja Falls]]. Dry Falls flows over an overhanging bluff that allows visitors to walk up under the falls and remain relatively dry when the water flow is low, hence its name. Visitors will get wet if the water flow is high. The falls has been called Dry Falls for a long time, but has also been known by such names as High Falls, Pitcher Falls, and Cullasaja Falls.<ref name="Adams Book">Kevin Adams, ''North Carolina Waterfalls'', p. 467</ref>

Dry Falls is located on the side of [[U.S. Highway 64]] {{convert|15.7|mi|km|0}} southeast of [[Franklin, North Carolina]] and {{convert|3.1|mi|km|0}} north of [[Highlands, North Carolina]]. There is a parking area on the side of the road, where visitors can park before walking the short path with stairs to the falls. Significant improvements to the parking area and trail were completed by the [[United States Forest Service]] in 2009.

====Bridal Veil Falls====
{{main|Bridal Veil Falls (Macon County)}}
'''Bridal Veil Falls''' is a {{convert|45|ft|m|adj=on}} [[waterfall]] located in the [[Nantahala National Forest]], southeast of [[Franklin, North Carolina|Franklin]]. With a short curve of roadway located behind the falls, it has the distinction of being the only waterfall in the state that one can drive a vehicle under. Bridal Veil Falls flows on a tributary of the [[Cullasaja River]] through the Nantahala National Forest. The falls flows over an overhanging bluff; visitors may walk behind the falls and remain dry when the water flow is low. During periods of drought, the stream may nearly dry up, though visitors will get wet if the water flow is moderate or high. To avoid this, visitors may drive behind the falls.

Bridal Veil Falls is located on the side of [[U.S. Highway 64]] {{convert|16.5|mi|km|0}} southeast of [[Franklin, North Carolina|Franklin]] and {{convert|2.3|mi|km|0}} north of [[Highlands, North Carolina|Highlands]]. Highway 64 originally used the curve of roadway behind the falls exclusively so that all traffic went behind them; however, this caused problems with [[ice|icing]] of the roadway during freezing weather. Hwy. 64 has since been re-routed around the front of the falls. There is a parking area on the side of the road, where visitors can park and view the falls as well. In 2003, a massive boulder slid off the left side of the falls, blocking that side of the drive-under completely. However, in July 2007, that boulder was removed by a local developer. The road under the falls is now free of obstruction.<ref name="NC Waterfalls Bridal Veil">[http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/bridal_veil1.htm NCWaterfalls.com Bridal Veil Falls]</ref>

====Quarry Falls====
{{main|Quarry Falls (Macon County)}}
'''Quarry Falls''' is a small [[waterfall]] (or perhaps large rapid in high water) located beside US Hwy. 64 southeast of Franklin. Known to locals as "Bust Your Butt," it is best known for the large, deep pool at the bottom, and is a popular place for swimming during warm weather.

===Major water bodies===
* [[Beech Creek (North Carolina)|Beech Creek]]
* [[Blazed Creek (North Carolina)|Blazed Creek]]
* [[Buck Creek (North Carolina)|Buck Creek]]
* [[Cartoogechaye Creek (North Carolina)|Cartoogechaye Creek]]
* [[Chattooga River]]
* [[Cullasaja River]]
* [[Little Laurel Creek (North Carolina)|Little Laurel Creek]]
* [[Little Tennessee River]]
* [[Middle Creek (North Carolina)|Middle Creek]]
* [[Nantahala Lake]]
* [[Nantahala River]]
* [[Queens Creek (North Carolina)|Queens Creek]]
* [[Tallulah River]]
* [[Tessentee Creek (North Carolina)|Tessentee Creek]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Swain County, North Carolina|Swain County]] – north
* [[Jackson County, North Carolina|Jackson County]] – east
* [[Oconee County, South Carolina]] – southeast
* [[Rabun County, Georgia]] – south
* [[Clay County, North Carolina|Clay County]] – southwest
* [[Cherokee County, North Carolina|Cherokee County]] – west
* [[Graham County, North Carolina|Graham County]] – northwest

===Major highways===
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|23}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|64}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US-Truck|64|dab1=Franklin–Hendersonville}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|441}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US-Bus|441|dab1=Franklin}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|28}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|106}}

===Major infrastructure===
* [[Macon County Airport]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1830= 5333
|1840= 4869
|1850= 6389
|1860= 6004
|1870= 6615
|1880= 8064
|1890= 10102
|1900= 12104
|1910= 12191
|1920= 12887
|1930= 13672
|1940= 15880
|1950= 16174
|1960= 14935
|1970= 15788
|1980= 20178
|1990= 23499
|2000= 29811
|2010= 33922
|2020= 37014
|estyear=2023
|estimate=38412
|estref=<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/>
|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=January 18, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36113.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 27, 2013|archive-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905072037/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36113.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/maconcountynorthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Macon County, North Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 21, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Macon County, North Carolina – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Macon County, North Carolina|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US37113&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Macon County, North Carolina|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US37113&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Macon County, North Carolina|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US37113&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|28,628
|30,599
|style='background: #ffffe6; |31,535
|96.03%
|90.20%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |85.20%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|353
|419
|style='background: #ffffe6; |252
|1.18%
|1.24%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.68%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|79
|143
|style='background: #ffffe6; |167
|0.27%
|0.42%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.45%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|117
|201
|style='background: #ffffe6; |250
|0.39%
|0.59%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.68%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|4
|3
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6
|0.01%
|0.01%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.02%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|11
|28
|style='background: #ffffe6; |103
|0.04%
|0.08%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.28%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|165
|299
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,203
|0.55%
|0.88%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.25%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|454
|2,230
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,498
|1.52%
|6.57%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |9.45%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''29,811'''
|'''33,922'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''37,014'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}


As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 37,014 people, 15,921 households, and 10,250 families residing in the county.

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 29,811 people, 12,828 households, and 8,902 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|58|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 20,746 housing units at an average density of {{convert|40|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 97.18% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 1.20% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.28% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.39% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.31% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.63% from two or more races. 1.52% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 12,828 households, out of which 24.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.74.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.30% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 27.90% from 45 to 64, and 22.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 92.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,139, and the median income for a family was $37,381. Males had a median income of $28,113 versus $20,081 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,642. About 8.80% of families and 12.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.00% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.

==Law, government, public safety==
===Government===
Macon County is governed by its elected Board of Commissioners and administered by the Board's appointed County Manager. Macon County is a member of the regional [[Councils of governments in North Carolina|Southwestern Commission]] council of governments. As of 2024, Macon County has the lowest property tax rate in North Carolina – 27 cents per $100.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Randy |date=2024-10-23 |title=Tax rates are not that high in the county |work=[[Cherokee Scout]] |publisher=[[Community Newspapers Inc.]] |location=Murphy, NC |page=A1}}</ref>

{{PresHead|place=Macon County, North Carolina|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 16, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|14,981|6,675|278|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|14,211|6,230|302|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|12,127|4,876|731|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|10,835|5,712|314|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|10,317|6,620|301|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|9,448|5,489|87|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|8,406|4,683|145|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|5,267|4,209|1,199|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|4,797|4,624|1,858|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|6,026|3,773|17|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|6,661|3,570|25|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|4,727|4,105|199|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,673|4,406|39|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,134|1,749|91|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,295|2,070|1,162|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,900|3,774|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,735|3,098|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,408|3,025|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|3,327|3,396|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,388|2,785|136|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|2,510|2,855|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|2,312|2,941|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,554|3,311|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,307|3,223|30|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,903|2,191|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|2,015|2,178|18|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|2,050|2,177|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,069|1,146|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|134|1,020|841|North Carolina}}

===Public safety===
====Sheriff and municipal police====
The Macon County Sheriff's Office provides court security, jail administration, and protection of all county owned facilities for all of Macon county plus patrol and detective services for the unincorporated parts of the county.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sheriff's Office {{!}} Sheriff Robert L. Holland {{!}} Macon NC Government|url=https://maconnc.org/sheriffs-office.html|access-date=July 27, 2021|website=maconnc.org}}</ref> Incorporated towns Franklin, pop 3,845, and Highlands. population 924, have municipal police departments. When requested, assistance is available from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, SBI.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NCSBI - Home|url=https://www.ncsbi.gov/|access-date=July 27, 2021|website=www.ncsbi.gov}}</ref>

====Fire and Emergency services====
Macon County Emergency Services oversees contracts with the eleven volunteer fire departments that provide protection to Macon County residents and businesses and also provides for fire inspections. Macon County has a fire prevention ordinance enforceable by civil and criminal penalties,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Public Safety {{!}} Macon County North Carolina {{!}} Macon NC Government|url=https://maconnc.org/emergency-management.html|access-date=July 27, 2021|website=maconnc.org}}</ref>

==Education==
===Franklin High School===
[[File:Franklin High School in Franklin, NC, and Macon County 01.jpg|thumb|Franklin High School]]
[[Franklin High School (North Carolina)|Franklin High School]] is a public high school serving grades 9–12, and is a part of the [[Macon County Schools (North Carolina)|Macon County Schools]] district.<ref>[https://www.macon.k12.nc.us/our-schools/ Our Schools | Macon County Schools]. Retrieved June 30, 2020.</ref>

===Union Academy===
Union Academy is an alternative [[Public school (government funded)|public school]] in Macon County, North Carolina for grades 6–12.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcsk-12.org/Pages/Main.aspx |title=Main |access-date=March 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221221900/http://www.mcsk-12.org/Pages/Main.aspx |archive-date=December 21, 2008  }}</ref> It is located near the South Macon Elementary school. Its name was changed from Union Alternative in 2006.

===Macon Early College===
Macon Early College is a high school that offers college classes located next to the
[[Greenway (landscape)|greenway]] and [[public library]] of Franklin. [[Southwestern Community College (North Carolina)]] is a partner in the program. As of 2008, SCC was ranked 4th in the list of America's best community
colleges.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southwesterncc.edu/news/07-jul-dec/sccranks4th.htm |title=SCC ranks fourth in the nation - SCC News Release - Southwestern Community College |access-date=March 25, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418180123/http://www.southwesterncc.edu/news/07-jul-dec/sccranks4th.htm |archive-date=April 18, 2009  }}</ref> Macon Early College is one of the three high schools in the Macon area, coming into existence after the Franklin High School, but before the Union Academy.

==Media==
''[[The Franklin Press]]'' has been published weekly in Franklin since 1888. It is the oldest extant business in Macon County. The ''Press'' was preceded by four other Macon County newspapers: ''The Franklin Observer'' and ''The Western Carolinian'' (both of which began in 1860), the ''Macon Advance'' (started in 1877), and ''The Western Reporter'' (1880-1881). None of them lasted more than a few years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thefranklinpress.com/about |access-date=January 19, 2024 |title=About Us |work=The Franklin Press |publisher=Community Newspapers, Inc.}}</ref>

Highlands has been served by ''The Highlander'' newspaper since 1958. It was preceded by a newspaper of the same name that began in 1885 and ceased publication in 1887 due to financial hardship.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.highlandsnews.com/about |access-date=January 19, 2024 |title=About Us |work=The Highlander |publisher=Community Newspapers, Inc.}}</ref>

==Communities==
[[File:Map of Macon County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|300px|Map of Macon County with municipal and township labels]]

===Towns===
* [[Franklin, North Carolina|Franklin]] (county seat and largest community)
* [[Highlands, North Carolina|Highlands]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Aquone, North Carolina|Aquone]]
* [[Cullasaja, North Carolina|Cullasaja]]
* [[Etna, North Carolina|Etna]]
* [[Gneiss, North Carolina|Gneiss]]
* [[Holly Springs, Macon County, North Carolina|Holly Springs]]
* [[Iotla, North Carolina|Iotla]]
* [[Kyle, North Carolina|Kyle]]
* [[Leatherman, North Carolina|Leatherman]]
* [[Oak Grove, Macon County, North Carolina|Oak Grove]]
* [[Otto, North Carolina|Otto]]
* [[Peek's Creek, North Carolina|Peek's Creek]]
* [[Prentiss, North Carolina|Prentiss]]
* [[Rainbow Springs, North Carolina|Rainbow Springs]]
* [[Scaly Mountain, North Carolina|Scaly Mountain]]
* [[West's Mill, North Carolina|West's Mill]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col}}
* [[Burningtown, North Carolina|Burningtown]]
* [[Cartoogechaye, North Carolina|Cartoogechaye]]
* [[Cowee, North Carolina|Cowee]]
* [[Ellijay, North Carolina|Ellijay]]
* [[Flats, North Carolina|Flats]]
* [[Franklin Township, Macon County, North Carolina|Franklin]]
* [[Highlands Township, Macon County, North Carolina|Highlands]]
* [[Millshoal, North Carolina|Millshoal]]
* [[Nantahala, North Carolina|Nantahala]]
* [[Smithbridge, North Carolina|Smithbridge]] (formerly Smith's Bridge)
* [[Sugarfork, North Carolina|Sugarfork]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[List of counties in North Carolina]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Macon County, North Carolina]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{osmrelation|2528718}}
* {{Official website|http://maconnc.org}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Macon County, North Carolina
|North     = [[Swain County, North Carolina|Swain County]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Jackson County, North Carolina|Jackson County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Rabun County, Georgia]]
|Southwest = [[Clay County, North Carolina|Clay County]]
|West      = [[Cherokee County, North Carolina|Cherokee County]]
|Northwest = [[Graham County, North Carolina|Graham County]]
}}
{{Macon County, North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Macon County, North Carolina| ]]
[[Category:1828 establishments in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1828]]