Skip to content

Checked

Macon County, NC

2 cities and towns and 5 ZIP codes in Macon County, North Carolina.

Population

37,941

Land area

516sq mi

People per sq mi

74

ZIP codes

5

Cities and towns in Macon County

Full map

Macon County at a glance

  • Macon County is 67% less dense than North Carolina as a whole.
  • Households here earn a median of $59,061 a year, 18% less than the North Carolina figure of $72,388.
  • A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $251,900 (13% below North Carolina) and median rent is $803 a month.
  • The biggest population centers are Franklin (4,268) and Highlands (1,074).

Local data for Macon County, NC

Counts from official public data

Housing and community stats

Macon County, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024

Full profile

Median household income

$59,061

Poverty rate

11.6%

Median home value

$251,900

Prices +2.6% in a year

Median rent

$803/mo

Homeownership

77.6%

Bachelor's or higher

27.9%

Median age

49.7

Average commute

22.6 min

Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (4,517), German Americans (3,312), Mexican Americans (2,617).

Home values and rentsIncome, education and commute

Economy and federal money

Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans

Details

Unemployment rate

2.9%

Sep 2026, -0.4 pts in a year

Average annual pay

$48,238

12,592 jobs, 2025

Income per person

$55,969

BEA, 2024

Federal spending

$330M

FY 2026, $8,903 per person

PPP loans

$46.9M

933 loans, 7,261 jobs reported

Campaign donations

$443K

Itemized, 2026 cycle

EconomyFederal spendingPPP loans

How people get to work

Macon County, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates

  • Drove alone80.3%
  • Carpooled8.5%
  • Public transit0.1%
  • Walked1.5%
  • Bicycle0.0%
  • Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.2%
  • Worked from home9.4%

Average one-way commute: 22.6 minutes for people who do not work from home.

Environment and hazard risk

Macon County, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA

Full report

Natural hazard risk

Relatively Low

Top: landslide

Storm events since 1996

479

Most often winter weather

Flood insurance policies

211

0.8% of homes, county

July high / Jan low

84° / 26°F

55.5 inches of rain a year

Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone16 historic places

Health statistics

Share of adults in Macon County, NC, CDC PLACES estimates

All 40 measures

Obesity

35.3%

U.S. 33.3% +2.0 pts

Diabetes

14.2%

U.S. 12.1% +2.1 pts

Smoking

14.9%

U.S. 12.8% +2.1 pts

Uninsured (18-64)

10.4%

U.S. 11.1% -0.7 pts

Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Macon County

Population shown

·

Frequently asked questions

What is the largest city in Macon County, NC?
Franklin is the largest city or town in Macon County, with about 4,268 residents.
How many ZIP codes are in Macon County?
Macon County includes 5 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 28734, 28741, 28763, 28775, 28781.
What is the population of Macon County, NC?
About 37,941 people live in Macon County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
What counties border Macon County?
Macon County borders Oconee County, SC, Jackson County, Cherokee County, Rabun County, GA, Swain County, Clay County, Graham County.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023

Share: