Population
39,232
2025
+5.8% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Macon County, NC growth snapshot
Macon County had an estimated 39,232 residents in 2025, up 5.8% (2,147 more people) since 2020. That is slower than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 52nd fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+607
2025
15.5 per 1,000 residents
+3,167 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Jobs
12,592
2025
+15.0% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$928
2025
+27.5% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
3.6%
2025
−0.3 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
251
2025
+68.5% since 2021
6.4 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$59,061
2020–24
+29.2% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
10,736
2023
+12.5% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 607 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 12,592 jobs in 2025, +15.0% since 2020 (28th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $928.
Unemployment averaged 3.6% in 2025, 0.3 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 251 new homes in 2025, or 6.4 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $59,061 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +29.2% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 523rd.
Macon County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 39,232 | +412 |
| 2024 | 38,820 | +387 |
| 2023 | 38,433 | +469 |
| 2022 | 37,964 | +507 |
| 2021 | 37,457 | +372 |
| 2020 | 37,085 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Macon County
Macon County grew by 2,147 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+3,167).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −193 | −1,241 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +4 | +197 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +607 | +3,167 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −6 | +24 | |
| Total change | +412 | +2,147 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In North Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 34th of 100 | 523rd of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 14th of 100 | 237th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 20th of 100 | 503rd of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 55th of 100 | 2,140th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 78th of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 31st of 100 | 1,075th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 44th of 100 | 422nd of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
Get the full county report — $99
The quarterly County Growth Report for Macon County, NC as a PDF: growth, jobs, wages, permits, announcements, sales where allowed, ranks against peer counties and a methods page. Pay once, no subscription.
See a sample report (PDF) · Other counties and options
Every purchase also includes a CSV of every table in the report, ready for a spreadsheet.
- Not useful? Email us within 14 days for a full refund
- Sold by Simply Stats LLC (NC)
- Secure Stripe checkout (Apple Pay/Google Pay)
- Instant PDF download
- PDF + CSV of every table
Refund terms: Terms. · How we compute every number
Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Macon County's population change (+5.8%) was ahead of 3 of its 7 neighbouring counties and behind 4.
2 of its 7 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Macon County's $59,061 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macon County, NC This county | 39,232 | +5.8% | 15.5 | 6.4 | $59,061 |
| Clay County, NC | 12,239 | +9.9% | 26.5 | 8.8 | $56,971 |
| Rabun County, GA | 17,764 | +5.0% | 7.9 | 7.2 | $67,493 |
| Swain County, NC | 14,024 | −0.6% | 2.9 | 6.7 | $52,349 |
| Jackson County, NC | 45,039 | +6.9% | 1.1 | 5.2 | $55,815 |
| Graham County, NC | 8,190 | +1.9% | 9.8 | 3.4 | $49,684 |
| Oconee County, SC | 83,775 | +6.3% | 17.0 | 9.0 | $62,388 |
| Cherokee County, NC | 30,830 | +6.8% | 16.6 | 7.8 | $53,628 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 100 North Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of Macon County?
About 39,232 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Macon County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 5.8% between 2020 and 2025, about 2,147 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 52nd of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Macon County?
On net, about 607 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Macon County?
Employers there reported 12,592 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +15.0% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $928 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Macon County?
It averaged 3.6% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Macon County?
Building permits authorized 251 new housing units in 2025, 6.4 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Macon County?
$59,061 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Macon County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 34th of 100 for population growth; 14th of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 20th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 55th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 523rd of 3,107 counties for population growth.
See Macon County tract by tract
Beacon CRE maps growth, permits, workforce, flood risk, opportunity zones, listings and recent sales for every county and census tract in the Carolinas, with grades that explain themselves.
Card required, cancel anytime before the trial ends. Prefer an invoice? Request a pilot.
Get the Carolinas CRE Growth Brief
One email a month: the NC and SC counties gaining people, jobs and new homes fastest, with the numbers behind them. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.