# Macon County, North Carolina

Macon County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 37,014. Its county seat is Franklin.
The Nantahala River runs through Macon County, flowing into the Little Tennessee River in Swain County. The Nantahala is one of the most popular whitewater rafting destinations in the nation.

## 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. It was named for Nathaniel Macon, who represented North Carolina in the United States House of Representatives from 1791 to 1815 (serving as 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.
In 1839 the western part of Macon County became Cherokee County. In 1851 parts of Macon County and Haywood County were combined to form Jackson County.
A new two-story brick courthouse was designed by William Gould Bulgin and constructed by John Davis in 1881. The neighboring 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.
Macon County's first hospital opened in Franklin in August 1923. In 1926, the first permanent hospital in North Carolina west of 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.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 519.67 square miles (1,345.9 km$^2$), of which 515.58 square miles (1,335.3 km$^2$) is land and 4.09 square miles (10.6 km$^2$) (0.79%) is water.
Of the land in Macon County, 239.31 square miles (620 km$^2$) (46.1%) are federal lands that lie within the Nantahala National Forest and are administered by the United States Forest Service. Of the 239.31 square miles (620 km$^2$) of USFS land, 71.56 square miles (185 km$^2$) lie in the Highlands Ranger District and the remaining 167.75 square miles (434 km$^2$) lie in the Wayah Ranger District. 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.

### National protected areas

* Appalachian Trail (part)
* Ellicott Rock Wilderness (part)
* Nantahala National Forest (part)

### State and local protected areas/sites

* Euchella Site
* Fires Creek Wildlife Management Area (part)
* Nantahala National Forest Game Land (part)
* Needmore Game Land (part)
* Tessentee Bottomland Preserve

### Waterfalls
#### Cullasaja Falls

Cullasaja Falls is a waterfall in Southwestern North Carolina east of 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. The falls is a long cascade over the course of 0.2 miles (300 m). The height of the falls is given as 200 ft (61 m) in Kevin Adams' book, North Carolina Waterfalls and 250 ft (76 m) by NCWaterfalls.com. 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 137 ft (42 m).
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 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

Dry Falls, also known as Upper Cullasaja Falls, is a 65-foot (20 m) 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 8.7-mile (14.0 km) 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.
Dry Falls is located on the side of U.S. Highway 64 15.7 miles (25 km) southeast of Franklin, North Carolina and 3.1 miles (5 km) 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

Bridal Veil Falls is a 45-foot (14 m) waterfall located in the Nantahala National Forest, southeast of 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 16.5 miles (27 km) southeast of Franklin and 2.3 miles (4 km) north of 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 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.

#### Quarry Falls

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
* Blazed Creek
* Buck Creek
* Cartoogechaye Creek
* Chattooga River
* Cullasaja River
* Little Laurel Creek
* Little Tennessee River
* Middle Creek
* Nantahala Lake
* Nantahala River
* Queens Creek
* Tallulah River
* Tessentee Creek

### Adjacent counties

* Swain County – north
* Jackson County – east
* Oconee County, South Carolina – southeast
* Rabun County, Georgia – south
* Clay County – southwest
* Cherokee County – west
* Graham County – northwest

### Major highways

* US 23
* US 64
* US 64 Truck
* US 441
* US 441 Bus.
* NC 28
* NC 106

### Major infrastructure

* Macon County Airport

## Demographics
### 2020 census

Macon County, North Carolina – Racial and ethnic composition 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. :
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
| White alone (NH) | 28,628 | 30,599 | 31,535 | 96.03% | 90.20% | 85.20% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 353 | 419 | 252 | 1.18% | 1.24% | 0.68% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 79 | 143 | 167 | 0.27% | 0.42% | 0.45% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 117 | 201 | 250 | 0.39% | 0.59% | 0.68% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 4 | 3 | 6 | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 11 | 28 | 103 | 0.04% | 0.08% | 0.28% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 165 | 299 | 1,203 | 0.55% | 0.88% | 3.25% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 454 | 2,230 | 3,498 | 1.52% | 6.57% | 9.45% |
| Total | 29,811 | 33,922 | 37,014 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 census, there were 37,014 people, 15,921 households, and 10,250 families residing in the county.

### 2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 29,811 people, 12,828 households, and 8,902 families residing in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile (22 people/km$^2$). There were 20,746 housing units at an average density of 40 units per square mile (15 units/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 97.18% White, 1.20% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 1.52% of the population were Hispanic or 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 Southwestern Commission council of governments. As of 2024, Macon County has the lowest property tax rate in North Carolina – 27 cents per $100.
United States presidential election results for Macon County, North Carolina :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 14,981 | 68.30% | 6,675 | 30.43% | 278 | 1.27% |
| 2020 | 14,211 | 68.51% | 6,230 | 30.03% | 302 | 1.46% |
| 2016 | 12,127 | 68.38% | 4,876 | 27.50% | 731 | 4.12% |
| 2012 | 10,835 | 64.26% | 5,712 | 33.88% | 314 | 1.86% |
| 2008 | 10,317 | 59.85% | 6,620 | 38.40% | 301 | 1.75% |
| 2004 | 9,448 | 62.89% | 5,489 | 36.53% | 87 | 0.58% |
| 2000 | 8,406 | 63.52% | 4,683 | 35.39% | 145 | 1.10% |
| 1996 | 5,267 | 49.34% | 4,209 | 39.43% | 1,199 | 11.23% |
| 1992 | 4,797 | 42.53% | 4,624 | 41.00% | 1,858 | 16.47% |
| 1988 | 6,026 | 61.39% | 3,773 | 38.44% | 17 | 0.17% |
| 1984 | 6,661 | 64.95% | 3,570 | 34.81% | 25 | 0.24% |
| 1980 | 4,727 | 52.34% | 4,105 | 45.45% | 199 | 2.20% |
| 1976 | 3,673 | 45.25% | 4,406 | 54.27% | 39 | 0.48% |
| 1972 | 4,134 | 69.20% | 1,749 | 29.28% | 91 | 1.52% |
| 1968 | 3,295 | 50.48% | 2,070 | 31.71% | 1,162 | 17.80% |
| 1964 | 2,900 | 43.45% | 3,774 | 56.55% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 3,735 | 54.66% | 3,098 | 45.34% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 3,408 | 52.98% | 3,025 | 47.02% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 3,327 | 49.49% | 3,396 | 50.51% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 2,388 | 44.98% | 2,785 | 52.46% | 136 | 2.56% |
| 1944 | 2,510 | 46.78% | 2,855 | 53.22% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 2,312 | 44.01% | 2,941 | 55.99% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 2,554 | 43.55% | 3,311 | 56.45% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 2,307 | 41.49% | 3,223 | 57.97% | 30 | 0.54% |
| 1928 | 2,903 | 56.99% | 2,191 | 43.01% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 2,015 | 47.85% | 2,178 | 51.72% | 18 | 0.43% |
| 1920 | 2,050 | 48.50% | 2,177 | 51.50% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1916 | 1,069 | 48.26% | 1,146 | 51.74% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1912 | 134 | 6.72% | 1,020 | 51.13% | 841 | 42.16% |

### 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. 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.

#### 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,

## Education
### Franklin High School

Franklin High School is a public high school serving grades 9–12, and is a part of the Macon County Schools district.

### Union Academy

Union Academy is an alternative public school in Macon County, North Carolina for grades 6–12. 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 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. 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.
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.

## Communities
### Towns

* Franklin (county seat and largest community)
* Highlands

### Unincorporated communities

* Aquone
* Cullasaja
* Etna
* Gneiss
* Holly Springs
* Iotla
* Kyle
* Leatherman
* Oak Grove
* Otto
* Peek's Creek
* Prentiss
* Rainbow Springs
* Scaly Mountain
* West's Mill

### Townships

* Burningtown
* Cartoogechaye
* Cowee
* Ellijay
* Flats
* Franklin
* Highlands
* Millshoal
* Nantahala
* Smithbridge (formerly Smith's Bridge)
* Sugarfork