Macon County is home to 37,941 people in North Carolina. The median age is 49.7, about 11 years above the US median. 78% of homes are owner-occupied. Growth has run 27% since 2000, or 8,130 more people. Median rent is $803 a month. About 28% of adults have finished a four-year degree.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $59,061, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 49.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 42%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Macon County
What changed most since 1990
Homes owned by their occupants82.8% → 77.6%(−5.2 pts)US over the same years: +0.9 pts
White share97.4% → 85.2%(−12.1 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Population23,499 → 37,941(+61%)US over the same years: +35%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)8.3%(242)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)17.3%(505)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era44%(1,282)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War2.6%(76)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 2,916 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Macon County, decade by decade
Macon County population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
23,499
$49,081
$149,524
13.2%
6.5
2000
29,811
$58,546
$177,429
16.2%
9.7
2010
33,922
$55,550
$241,392
19.5%
22.7
2020
37,014
$55,394
$208,107
23.9%
33.1
2024
37,941
$59,061
$251,900
27.9%
32.8
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Macon County, North Carolina?
Macon County, North Carolina has about 37,941 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Macon County, North Carolina?
The typical household in Macon County, North Carolina earns about $59,061 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Macon County, North Carolina expensive?
In Macon County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $251,900, and the typical rent is about $803 a month.
How educated are people in Macon County, North Carolina?
About 27.9% of adults age 25 and over in Macon County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Macon County, North Carolina?
About 11.6% of people in Macon County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.
Has Macon County, North Carolina grown since 1990?
Yes, Macon County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 14,442 residents, a change of about 61 percent over that period.
