County · Tennessee
Macon County, Tennessee
Macon County, Tennessee. Macon County had 27,663 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 9.7% since 2020, faster than Tennessee (+5.8%). It holds 2 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 47111.
Macon County is one of the 14 counties of the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
27,663
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 25,216 · ACS 2020-2024: 26,240
Median household income
$59,177
±$4,091 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$225,700
±$12,576 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$846
±$33 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
How many people live in Macon County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 25,216 residents in Macon County. The Census Bureau estimates 27,663 for July 1, 2025, up 9.7% since 2020, faster than Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 26,240 over 307 square miles of land.
| Measure | Macon County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 26,240 | 7,066,383 | +2,398 |
| Households | 9,421±305 | 2,824,277 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.76±0.09 | 2.45 | +0.20 |
| Housing units | 10,997±24 | 3,143,670 | +658 |
Macon County's population since 2000
From 20,386 in 2000 to 27,663 in 2025: up 35.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Macon County?
Macon County holds 2 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Lafayette with 6,020 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lafayette | 5,584 | $51,736 |
|---|---|---|
| Red Boiling Springs | 1,205 | $40,221 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Macon County?
The median resident of Macon County is 39.2 years old; 25.1% are under 18 and 15.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 7.0%. 3.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Macon County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.2±0.6 | 38.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.1%±0.2 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.4%±0.3 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.0% | 7.4% | +1.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.6%±0.4 pts | 71.0% | −3.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 15.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 1.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6%±0.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.2%±0.8 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.1%±1.1 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.7%±1.5 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 14.7%±1.8 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.8%±2.3 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.8%±2.9 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 12.5%±2.5 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.5%±1.2 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.7%±1.1 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Macon County earn?
Half of Macon County's 9,421 households earn less than $59,177 a year (±$4,091), against $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 the median was $46,065 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $13,112 after inflation. 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Macon County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,177±$4,091 | $69,595 | +$13,112 |
| Mean household income | $77,361±$6,029 | $96,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,670±$2,218 | $39,437 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.2%±3.2 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.0%±6.9 pts | 18.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.7%±3.4 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.9%±3.4 pts | 89.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Macon County?
Owners occupy 73.6% of Macon County's occupied homes and renters 26.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $225,700 by its owner (±$12,576). The median renter pays $846 a month including utilities, and 27.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Macon County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $225,700±$12,576 | $286,700 | +$84,170 |
| Median gross rent | $846±$33 | $1,189 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 27.1%±8.5 pts | 39.7% | −14.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,348±$70 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.6%±3.1 pts | 66.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,997±24 | 3,143,670 | +658 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.4%±2.0 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.0%±5.6 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.5%±4.4 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 22.1%±4.1 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.1%±2.1 pts | 5.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Macon County building?
Builders took permits for 175 new housing units across Macon County in 2025 (165 single-family), 6.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Macon County get to work?
76.4% of Macon County's workers drive alone and 5.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 34.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.4%.
| Measure | Macon County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.0%±3.1 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4%±1.2 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.4%±3.7 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 15.8%±3.6 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.7%±1.9 pts | 12.9% | +2.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 34.8 min±2.9 | 25.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Macon County's census tracts?
Macon County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $47,363 (Tract 9701) to $83,603 (Tract 9702).
| Tract 970147111970100 | 5,117±515 | $47,363 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970247111970200 | 7,078±668 | $83,603 |
| Tract 9703.0147111970301 | 4,815±435 | $53,738 |
| Tract 9703.0247111970302 | 4,674±535 | $65,218 |
| Tract 970447111970400 | 4,556±655 | $57,175 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Macon County compare with Tennessee's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 56th of 95 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 16th of 95 |
| Residents per square mile | 43rd of 95 |
| Median household income | 49th of 95 |
| Median home value | 39th of 95 |
| Median gross rent | 44th of 95 |
| Poverty rate | 33rd of 95 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 87th of 95 |
| Median age | 78th of 95 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Macon County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.