Macon County

Macon County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 33,922. Its county seat is Franklin.Macon County is the home of the Nantahala River (along with Swain County, North Carolina). The Nantahala is one of the most popular whitewater rafting destinations in the nation.HistoryThe 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.GeographyAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (0.8%) is water.