Familypedia
Register
Advertisement
This article is based on the corresponding article in another wiki. For Familypedia purposes, it requires significantly more historical detail on phases of this location's development. The ideal article for a place will give the reader a feel for what it was like to live at that location at the time their relatives were alive there. Also desirable are links to organizations that may be repositories of genealogical information..
Please help to improve this page yourself if you can.


Macon County, North Carolina
Macon County Courthouse, Franklin, NC (45741093365)
The Macon County Courthouse in Franklin
Flag of Macon County, North Carolina
Flag
Seal of Macon County, North Carolina
Seal
Logo of Macon County, North Carolina
Logo
Map of North Carolina highlighting Macon County
Location in the state of North Carolina
Map of the U.S
North Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded 1828
Named for Nathaniel Macon
Seat Franklin
Largest town Franklin
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

520 sq mi (1,347 km²)
516 sq mi (1,336 km²)
4.1 sq mi (11 km²), 0.8
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

37,014
72.8/sq mi (28/km²)
Congressional district 11th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.maconnc.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]

History[]

The river valleys were long occupied by indigenous peoples, some of whom built earthwork mounds about 1000 CE. 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 county was formed in 1828 from the western part of Haywood County. It was named for Nathaniel Macon,[5] 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.

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.

Old Macon County Courthouse Clocktower, Franklin, NC (32781597178)

The clock tower from the old Macon County Courthouse (1881-1972)

Franklin Academy Franklin Terrace Inn, Franklin, NC (31714580827)

Franklin Terrace Hotel in Franklin

Geography[]

Script error: No such module "Mapframe".According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 520 square miles (1,300 km2), of which 516 square miles (1,340 km2) is land and 4.1 square miles (11 km2) (0.8%) is water.[6]

Of the land in Macon County, 239.31 square miles (620 km2) (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 km2) of USFS land, 71.56 square miles (185 km2) lie in the Highlands Ranger District and the remaining 167.75 square miles (434 km2) lie in the Wayah Ranger District.[7] 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.

Waterfalls[]

Cullasaja Falls[]

Cullasaja Falls is a waterfall in Southwestern North Carolina west 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.[8] 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[8] and 250 ft (77 m) by NCWaterfalls.com.[9] 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 (20.1 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.[10]

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 (20.1 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.[11]

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.

National protected areas[]

  • Ellicott Rock Wilderness (part)
  • Nantahala National Forest (part)

State and local protected areas/sites[]

  • Euchella Site
  • Franklin Town Square
  • Nantahala Game Lands
  • Tessentee Bottomland Preserve

Adjacent counties[]

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

Major highways[]

  • US 23 US 23
  • US 64 US 64
  • US 441 US 441
  • No imageBusiness plateNo image
    US 441 US 441 Bus.
  • NC 28 NC 28
  • NC 106 NC 106

Other major infrastructure[]

  • Macon County Airport

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1830 5,333
1840 4,869 −8.7%
1850 6,389 31.2%
1860 6,004 −6.0%
1870 6,615 10.2%
1880 8,064 21.9%
1890 10,102 25.3%
1900 12,104 19.8%
1910 12,191 0.7%
1920 12,887 5.7%
1930 13,672 6.1%
1940 15,880 16.1%
1950 16,174 1.9%
1960 14,935 −7.7%
1970 15,788 5.7%
1980 20,178 27.8%
1990 23,499 16.5%
2000 29,811 26.9%
2010 33,922 13.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2020[16]

2020 census[]

Macon County racial composition[17]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 31,535 85.2%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 252 0.68%
Native American 167 0.45%
Asian 250 0.68%
Pacific Islander 6 0.02%
Other/Mixed 1,306 3.53%
Hispanic or Latino 3,498 9.45%

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

2000 census[]

As of the census[18] of 2000, 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/km2). There were 20,746 housing units at an average density of 40 per square mile (16/km2). 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.

United States presidential election results for Macon County, North Carolina[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
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%
1908 1,045 52.99% 927 47.01% 0 0.00%
1904 987 52.08% 904 47.70% 4 0.21%
1900 1,035 51.34% 977 48.46% 4 0.20%
1896 891 43.78% 1,140 56.02% 4 0.20%
1892 562 33.51% 862 51.40% 253 15.09%
1888 754 47.13% 805 50.31% 41 2.56%
1884 538 43.11% 706 56.57% 4 0.32%
1880 335 30.99% 746 69.01% 0 0.00%



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.[20] 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.[21]

Fire and Emergency services[]

Macon County Emergncy 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,[22]

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.[23]

Union Academy[]

Union Academy is an alternative public school in Macon County, North Carolina for grades 6–12.[24] 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 Americas best community colleges.[25] 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.

Communities[]

Map of Macon County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Map of Macon County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Towns[]

  • Franklin (county seat and largest town)
  • 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

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Macon County, North Carolina" (in en). https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/maconcountynorthcarolina. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ "The New Blue Ridge Highlander". http://theblueridgehighlander.com/rivers_creeks_in_the_mtns/north_carolina/nantahala_river.html. 
  4. ^ Nantahala Outdoor Center Archived February 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 195. https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ. 
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_37.txt. 
  7. ^ "USFS lands may hit the auction block". http://www.ltlt.org/fp02172006.html.  Land Trust for the Little Tennessee
  8. ^ a b Kevin Adams, North Carolina Waterfalls, p. 470
  9. ^ NCWaterfalls.com
  10. ^ Kevin Adams, North Carolina Waterfalls, p. 467
  11. ^ NCWaterfalls.com Bridal Veil Falls page
  12. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  13. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  14. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt. 
  15. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  16. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36113.html. 
  17. ^ "Explore Census Data". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37113&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2. 
  18. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 
  20. ^ "Sheriff's Office | Sheriff Robert L. Holland | Macon NC Government". https://maconnc.org/sheriffs-office.html. 
  21. ^ "NCSBI - Home". https://www.ncsbi.gov/. 
  22. ^ "Public Safety | Macon County North Carolina | Macon NC Government". https://maconnc.org/emergency-management.html. 
  23. ^ Our Schools | Macon County Schools. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  24. ^ "Main". http://www.mcsk-12.org/Pages/Main.aspx. 
  25. ^ "SCC ranks fourth in the nation - SCC News Release - Southwestern Community College". http://www.southwesterncc.edu/news/07-jul-dec/sccranks4th.htm. 

External links[]


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Macon County, North Carolina. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
Advertisement