Macon County, Tennessee Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Macon County

U.S. county

Macon County Courthouse in Lafayette

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee

Tennessee's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

Tennessee

Founded

1842

Largest city

Lafayette

Area

• Total

307 sq mi (800 km²)

• Land

307 sq mi (800 km²)

• Water

0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²) 0.03%%

Population

(2020)

• Total

25,216

• Density

72/sq mi (28/km²)

Time zone

UTC−6 (Central)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−5 (CDT)

Congressional district

6th

Macon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,216. Its county seat is Lafayette. Macon County is part of the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Geography
- Adjacent counties
Demographics
- 2020 census
- 2010 census
Communities
- Cities
- Unincorporated communities
Transportation
- Highways
- Airport
Media
See also

History

Old Galen Elementary School building near Lafayette

Macon County was formed in 1842 from parts of Smith and Sumner counties. It was named in honor of the late Revolutionary War veteran and United States Senator, Nathaniel Macon. The county seat was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette.

Unlike adjacent counties of Middle Tennessee, which were generally pro-Confederate, but like neighbouring counties in Kentucky, Macon County was largely pro-Union during the Civil War. In Tennessee's Ordinance of Secession referendum on June 8, 1861, Macon County voted to remain in the Union by a margin of 697 to 447. Macon was one of only eight counties in West or Middle Tennessee to support the Union. Earlier on February 9, 1861, Macon County voters had voted against holding a secession convention by a margin of 960 to 73. Many Macon Countians served in Kentucky Union regiments, especially the Ninth Infantry Regiment, because secessionists in surrounding Tennessee counties drove them over the state line.

The county's second-largest city, Red Boiling Springs, thrived as a mineral springs resort in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Three hotels from this period — the Donoho Hotel, the Thomas House Hotel (previously the Cloyd Hotel), and the Armour's Hotel (previously the Counts Hotel) — are still open, though only the Armour's still offers mineral water treatments.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 307 square miles (800 km²), of which 307 square miles (800 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km²) (0.03%) is water. Macon County is located amidst the northeastern Highland Rim, and is generally rugged and hilly.

Adjacent counties

Monroe County, Kentucky (northeast)
Clay County (east)
Jackson County (southeast)
Smith County (south)
Trousdale County (southwest)
Sumner County (west)
Allen County, Kentucky (northwest)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1850	6,948	—
1860	7,290	4.9%
1870	6,633	−9.0%
1880	9,321	40.5%
1890	10,878	16.7%
1900	12,881	18.4%
1910	14,559	13.0%
1920	14,922	2.5%
1930	13,872	−7.0%
1940	14,904	7.4%
1950	13,599	−8.8%
1960	12,197	−10.3%
1970	12,315	1.0%
1980	15,700	27.5%
1990	15,906	1.3%
2000	20,386	28.2%
2010	22,248	9.1%
2020	25,216	13.3%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2014

Age pyramid Macon County

2020 census

Macon County racial composition
Race	Number	Percentage
White (non-Hispanic)	22,439	88.99%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	120	0.48%
Native American	60	0.24%
Asian	44	0.17%
Pacific Islander	8	0.03%
Other/Mixed	861	3.41%
Hispanic or Latino	1,684	6.68%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,216 people, 9,170 households, and 6,215 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 22,248 people, 8,561 households, and 6,112 families living in the county. The population density was 72 people per square mile (28 people/km²). There were 9,861 housing units at an average density of 32 units per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.03% White, 0.42% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.96% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 4.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 8,561 households 30.16% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.55% were married couples living together, 5.58% had a male householder with no wife present, 11.26% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.61% were non-families. 24.27% of households were one person and 10.86% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution was 25.02% under the age of 18, 8.39% from 18 to 24, 31.59% from 25 to 44, 20.69% from 45 to 64, and 14.09% 65 or older. The median age was 38.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.08 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.21 males.