Macon County, North Carolina

Macon County Education, Geography, and History

Macon County is a county located in the state of North Carolina. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 33,922. Its county seat is Franklin.

Etymology - Origin of Macon County Name

It was named in honor of Nathaniel Macon, speaker of the House of Representatives, United States Senator, and president of the Constitutional Convention of 1835.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Macon County History

Macon was formed in 1828 from Haywood. It was named in honor of Nathaniel Macon, speaker of the House of Representatives, United States Senator, and president of the Constitutional Convention of 1835. It is in the western section of the State and is. bounded by the state of Georgia and Clay, Cherokee, Swain and Jackson counties. The present land area is 516.47 square miles and the 2000 population was 29,808. The first court was ordered to be held in the town of Franklin. Franklin is the county seat.

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the 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.

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. The county's largest natural water supply is the Cullasaja River.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

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

Education

Union Academy
Union Academy is an alternative public school in Macon County, North Carolina for grades 6 - 12. 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. 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.

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