Macon County, North Carolina

Macon County
Macon County Courthouse in Franklin
Macon County Courthouse in Franklin
Flag of Macon County
Official seal of Macon County
Map of North Carolina highlighting Macon County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°09′N 83°25′W / 35.15°N 83.42°W / 35.15; -83.42
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1828
Named forNathaniel Macon
SeatFranklin
Largest communityFranklin
Area
 • Total519.67 sq mi (1,345.9 km2)
 • Land515.58 sq mi (1,335.3 km2)
 • Water4.09 sq mi (10.6 km2)  0.79%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total37,014
 • Estimate 
(2023)
38,412
 • Density71.79/sq mi (27.72/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district11th
Websitemaconnc.org

Macon County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 37,014.[1] Its county seat is Franklin.[2]

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.[3][4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2020CensusQuickFacts was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "The New Blue Ridge Highlander". theblueridgehighlander.com. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  4. ^ Nantahala Outdoor Center Archived February 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine