Macon
North Carolina

What stands out

Three things set Macon County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the property tax rate is in the bottom 8% of American counties (0.44%) and the restaurant count per person is in the top 8% of American counties (1.4 per 1,000). Within North Carolina it ranks 5th of 100 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Macon County, North Carolina. 37,088 people live here with you. The population grew 1.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +693).

North Carolina has a flat income tax that is being cut each year, 3.99% for 2026 after 4.25% in 2025, with 3.49% scheduled for 2027 if revenue triggers are met, and it does not tax Social Security. Property taxes are moderate and reassessments happen every four to eight years by county. The Research Triangle and Charlotte have driven a decade of in-migration; the mountains and the Outer Banks are second-home markets with hurricane and flood exposure on the coast.

Money

The typical household here brings in $51,042 a year, lower than 77% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,461. Unemployment runs 3.5%, higher than 53% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,037 a year.

Home

The median home costs $364K, pricier than 81% of American counties, about 3.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $807 a month. Property tax is 0.44% of home value, roughly $932 a year on that median home, lower than 92% of American counties. 74% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 67% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 22 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.5 years, longer than 58% of American counties. There are 43 active physicians in the county, about 11.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 14.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.09 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 50% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 39 points. 74% of eligible voters turned out. Under North Carolina law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 55°F, highs near 66 and lows near 44, colder than 54% of American counties. About 49 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 45 out of 100, safer than 55% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 116 Mbps down, slower than 83% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 breweries, 3 museums.