Macon County, North Carolina

Infobox U.S. County
county = Macon County
state = North Carolina




map size = 250
founded = 1828
seat = Franklin | area_total_sq_mi =519
area_water_sq_mi =3
area percentage = 0.58%
census yr = 2000
pop = 29811
density_km2 =22
web = www.maconnc.org
|

Macon County is a county located in the North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 29,811. Its county seat is FranklinGR|6.

History

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.

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.

Law and government

Macon County is a member of the regional Southwestern Commission council of governments.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 519 square miles (1,345 km²), of which, 516 square miles (1,338 km²) of it is land and 3 square miles (8 km²) of it (0.58%) is water.

Townships

The county is divided into eleven townships: Burningtown, Cartoogechaye, Cowee, Ellijay, Flats, Franklin, Highlands, Millshoal, Nantahala, Smithbridge,Otto, and Sugarfork.

Adjacent counties

*Swain County, North Carolina - north
*Jackson County, North Carolina - east
*Rabun County, Georgia - south
*Clay County, North Carolina - southwest
*Cherokee County, North Carolina - west
*Graham County, North Carolina - northwest

Geographic features

Macon county lies within the Nantahala National Forest, and the county's largest natural water supply is the Cullasaja River.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 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.

Communities

Official townships are listed, each followed by its incorporated towns in bold and other unincorporated communities:
*Franklin (central)
**Franklin
**Iotla
*Highlands (southeast)
**Highlands
**Scaly Mountain
*Sugarfork (east-southeast)
**Cullasaja
**Peek's Creek
*Burningtown (north-northwest)
*Cartoogechaye (west-southwest)
*Cowee (north-northeast)
*Ellijay (east)
*Nantahala (northwest)
*Smithbridge, originally Smith's Bridge (south-southwest)
*Millshoal (east-northeast)
*Flats (south-central)

Communities where correct township is unconfirmed:
*Otto
*Aquone
*Etna
*Kyle
*Leatherman
*Rainbow Springs
*Oak Grove
*Prentiss
*West's Mill
*Gneiss

References

External links

* [http://maconnc.org Macon County government official website]
* [http://www.theblueridgehighlander.com/macon_county_north_carolina/index.html Macon County North Carolina Profile with photos]
* [http://www.MyTownFranklin.com Macon County Online Journal with photos]