Health is largely determined by social, economic, behavioral, and environmental factors, all of which affect health outcomes. These factors, known as social determinants of health, can serve as a barometer for regional wellness and quality of life.
21 social determinants of health were selected, as part of the Healthy NC 2030 initiative, to be a public health focus for the state's next decade. This overview radar chart explores how Macon County is doing in comparison to the rest of the state for all indicators. Indicators closer to the circle's center are more of a challenge in this region, while indicators closer to the edge of the circle are regional strengths.
Healthy NC State Target (2030): 27%, of the population
Percentage of individuals with household incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
In 2021, to be below the 200% FPL threshold, an individual living alone would need to make $25,760 a year or less. A household of four would need to make $53,000 or less total.
The map shows the percentage of individuals below 200% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) in Macon County as well as the average yearly change in this metric.
In 2020, the percentage of individuals below 200% FPL in Macon County was 37.2%. The tract with the highest rate of individuals below 200% FPL was Macon Tract 9702 (54.1%), while the tract with the lowest was Macon Tract 9705.02 (22.5%).
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The graph shows Macon County's position in the ranking of counties in North Carolina by percentage of individuals below the poverty threshold.
By default, the ranking is shown for the 200% FPL threshold, but it is possible to change to other poverty thresholds with the Poverty Level dropdown selector above.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The graph shows the percentage of individuals below the FPL in Macon County by race and ethnicity from 2010 to 2020. By default, all races and ethnicities are shown. It is possible to hide a race or ethnicity by clicking it in the chart legend.
In 2020, the percent of individuals below 100% FPL in Macon County was 37.2%. The population with the highest percentage of individuals below the FPL was Hispanic (34.5%), while the population with the lowest was Asian (2.76%).
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
Highest Rate of Individuals Below 100% FPL 2020: 55.3%, Male, 5 years
Lowest Rate of Individuals Below 100% FPL 2020: 5.85%, Male, 75+ years
The graph shows the percentage of individuals below the FPL in Macon County by age and sex.
In 2020, the group with the highest percentage of individuals below 100% FPL by age and sex were male, 5 years (55.3%). The lowest percentage of individuals below 100% FPL by age and sex were male, 75+ years (5.85%).
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The graph shows the trend of the percentage of individuals living below the poverty threshold, as well as this metric's projection until 2030. By default, the trend is shown for the 200% FPL threshold, but it is possible to change to other poverty thresholds with the Poverty Level dropdown selector above.
In Macon County, 37.2% of the population was living below 200% FPL in 2020. Between 2012 and 2020, Macon County saw a 0.89% average annual decrease in this indicator.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
Macon (2020): 4.8%, of the population
Healthy NC State Target (2030): 1.7, Disparity ratio between white and other populations
Percentage of individuals aged 16 and older who are in the labor force, but unemployed.
Individuals must be seeking work to be considered unemployed.
The map shows the unemployment rate in Macon County as well as the average yearly change in this metric.
In 2020, the unemployment rate in Macon County was 4.8%. The tract with the highest unemployment rate was Macon Tract 9706 (8.99%), while the tract with the lowest unemployment rate was Macon Tract 9703.02 (1.39%).
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
Highest unemployment rate by race: 60.4%, American Indian or Alaskan Native
Lowest unemployment rate by race: 3.8%, White (non-Hispanic)
The graph shows the unemployment rate in Macon County by race and ethnicity, or age.
In 2020, the population with the highest unemployment rate by race and ethnicity in Macon County was: American Indian or Alaskan Native (60.4%), 2+ races (19.7%), and Black (8.3%).
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The graph shows the trend of the unemployment rate in the county, as well as this metric's projection and target until 2030. By default, the trend is shown for all the population, but it is possible to change the sex with the selector above.
In Macon County, the unemployment rate reached 4.8% in 2019. Between 2010 and 2020, Macon County saw a 0.32% average annual decrease in this indicator.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
Macon (2019): 0.18, suspensions per 10 students
Healthy NC State Target (2030): 0.8, suspensions per 10 students
Number of out-of-school short-term suspensions in educational facilities for all grades per 10 students.
A short-term suspension is 10 days or less. Data reflect total numbers of short-term suspensions that may include multiple suspensions per student.
Highest Short-term Suspension per 10 Students: 0.68, Burke (2019)
Lowest Short-term Suspension per 10 Students: 0.12, Clay (2019)
The map shows the short-term suspension rate per 10 students in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric, highlighting Macon County on the map for comparison with other counties.
In 2019, the short-term suspension rate per 10 students in Macon County was 0.18.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The graph shows the short-term suspension rate per 10 students in Macon County by race and ethnicity from 2014 to 2019.
In 2019, the population with the highest short-term suspension rate was White (0.33), while the population with the lowest short-term suspension rate was Hispanic (0.22).
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
Macon (2020): 169, per 100,000 population
Healthy NC State Target (2030): 150, per 100,000 population
Incarceration in prisons per 100,000 population.
Incarcerated individuals are tallied in the county they resided in when they were first incarcerated, not where they are currently incarcerated.
Highest incarceration rate per 100,000 population: 229, Yancey (2020)
Lowest incarceration rate per 100,000 population: 53.8, Clay (2020)
The map shows the incarceration rate per 100,000 population in the Mountains region counties as well as the average yearly change in this metric, highlighting Macon County on the map for comparison with other counties.
In 2020, the incarceration rate in Macon County was 169 per 100,000 population.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The graph shows the incarceration rate per 100,000 population in Macon County by race and ethnicity, and sex.
In 2020, the population with the highest incarceration rate was White (173), while the population with the lowest incarceration rate was White (173).
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
North Carolina (2016-17): 23.6%, of children
Healthy NC State Target (2030): 18.0%, of the population
Percentage of children who have experienced two or more of the following: hard to get by on money, parent/guardian divorced or separated, parent/guardian died, parent/guardian served time in jail, saw or heard violence in the home, victim/witness of neighborhood violence, lived with anyone mentally ill, suicidal or depressed, live with anyone with alcohol or drug problem, often treated or judged unfairly due to race/ethnicity.
This indicator, chosen by the Healthy NC 2030 taskforce, is not available at a geographic level less than regional.
In order to provide meaningful, localized insights into ACEs and ACEs-adjacent indicators, Cape Fear Collective convened a team of experts in ACEs and trauma to select a proxy metric for this indicator: percentage of disconnected youth, individuals aged 16 to 19 who are neither in school nor working.
The map shows the percentage of the population ages 16 to 19 that is neither in school nor working in Macon County as well as the average yearly change in this metric.
In 2020, the percent of the population ages 16 to 19 that was neither in school nor working in Macon County was 9.19%. The tract with the highest percentage of the population ages 16 to 19 that was neither in school nor working was Macon Tract 9703.02 (20.6%), while the tract with the lowest was Macon Tract 9707 (9.76%).
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The graph shows Macon County's rank out of North Carolina counties by the percentage of the population ages 16 to 19 that was neither in school nor working.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The graph shows the percentage of the population ages 16 to 19 that was neither in school nor working in Macon County by sex from 2010 to 2020.
In 2020, the percentage of the population ages 16 to 19 that was neither in school nor working among females was 2.52%, and 14.8% among males.
From 2010 to 2020, the percentage of the population ages 16 to 19 that was neither in school nor working among females decresed 11.2% (from 13.7% to 2.52%) and among males it incresed 4.71% (from 10.1% to 14.8%).
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population ages 16 to 19 that is neither in school nor working as well as this metric's projection until 2030. By default, the trend is shown for all the population, but it is possible to change to a specific sex with the selector above.
In Macon County, 9.19% of the population ages 16 to 19 was neither in school nor working in 2020, with an annual percentage change of -0.52%.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
Healthy NC State Target (2030): 80%, of the population
Percentage of children proficient or better at grade-level reading based on third grade End of Grade exams.
The graph shows the ranking of Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in North Carolina by the percentage of children who are grade-level proficient in reading at the end of third grade.
By default, the ranking is shown for grade-level proficiency, but it is possible to change the ranking to other achievement levels with the upper selector.
Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.
Third Grade Reading Proficiency by Race and Ethnicity
The graph shows the percentage of children who were who were proficient in reading (grade level proficient) at the end of third grade in Macon County by race and ethnicity.
In 2019, the population with the highest percentage of children who were proficient in reading (grade level proficient) in Macon County Schools was White (66%), while the population with the lowest percentage was Hispanic (42%).
Third Grade Reading Proficiency by Sex and Achievement Level
The graph shows the third grade reading proficiency in the Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in Macon County by sex and achievement level.
In 2019, the highest percentage of children who were proficient in reading at the end of third grade in Macon County Schools were female, grade level proficient (60.8%). The lowest percentage of children who were proficient in reading at the end of third grade were male, level 5 (9.6%).
Healthy NC State Target (2030): 92%, of the population
Percentage of the population living half a mile from a park in any area, one mile from a recreational center in a metropolitan area, or three miles from a recreational center in a rural area.
Exercise access is based on census tract proximity to public parklands or recreational facilities such as “gyms, community centers, dance studios, pools,” and other exercise facilities.
Highest Access to Exercise Opportunities: 100%, Avery (2019)
Lowest Access to Exercise Opportunities: 56.9%, Rutherford (2019)
The map shows the percentage of people with access to exercise opportunities in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric, highlighting Macon County on the map for comparison with other counties.
In 2019, the percent of the population that had access to exercise opportunities in Macon County was 100%.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The graph shows Macon County's position in the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the population estimated as having access to exercise opportunities or the average yearly change.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
Healthy NC State Target (2030): 5%, of the population
Percentage of people who are low-income that are not in close proximity to a grocery store.
This indicator, chosen by the Healthy NC 2030 taskforce, is based on USDA-designated food deserts. For metropolitan communities, living close to a grocery store is defined as being less than a mile from a store; in rural areas, the threshold proximity is 10 miles from a grocery store according to the USDA.
Because access to healthy food is a significant issue in the Cape Fear region, and because this indicator was only available at a county-level geography, Cape Fear Collective created a Food Hardship Index from a logistic regression model predicting USDA food desert status.
The Food Hardship Index indicates how close a neighborhood is to being a designated food desert, with 1 indicating very high levels of food hardship and 0 indicating very low.
The map shows the Food Hardship Index in Macon County as well as the average yearly change in this metric.
In 2020, the Food Hardship Index in Macon County was 0.32.
The tract with the highest Food Hardship Index was Macon Tract 9703.01 (0.98), while the tract with the lowest was Macon Tract 9705.02 (0.03).
The graph shows Macon County's position in the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the Food Hardship Index.
Macon (2019): 11.8%, of the population
Healthy NC State Target (2030): 14%, of the population
Percentage of households with at least 1 of four HUD-designated housing problems.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines severe housing problems as occupied household units that have at least one of the following issues: overcrowding (>1 occupant per room), high housing costs (monthly housing costs >= 50% of monthly income), or lack of adequate kitchen or plumbing facilities.
HUD has not made post-2017 data publicly available, so CFC built a regression model to predict 2018 and 2019 severe housing problems based on the number of households with each individual HUD-designated housing problem.
Highest percentage of people with severe housing problems: 16.8%, Macon Tract 9702
Lowest percentage of people with severe housing problems: 7.2%, Macon Tract 9706
The map shows the percentage of people with severe housing problems in Macon County as well as the average yearly change in this metric.
In 2019, the percentage of people with severe housing problems in Macon County was 11.8%. The tract with the highest percentage of people with severe housing problems was Macon Tract 9702 (16.8%), while the tract with the lowest was Macon Tract 9706 (7.2%).
*The 2018 and 2019 values were built from a CFC model.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems, as well as this metric's projection until 2030.
In Macon County, 11.8% of the population was living with severe housing problems in 2019. Between 2013 and 2019, Macon County saw a 1.01% average annual decrease in this indicator.
*The 2018 and 2019 values were built from a CFC model.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
Highest drug overdose rate rate in 2012-2019: 31.3, Burke
Lowest drug overdose rate in 2012-2019: 16, Madison
The map shows the drug overdose death rate (average across years) per 100,000 population in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric, highlighting Macon County on the map for comparison with other counties.
In the years of 2012-2019, the drug overdose death average in Macon County was 17.9.
The graph shows the position of Macon County in the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the drug overdose death rate (average across years) per 100,000 population.
In order to provide meaningful, localized insights into this indicator, we substituted data from the CDC PLACES project that measures the percent of the current population aged ≥18 years who report having smoked ≥100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke every day or some days.
Highest percentage of tobacco use in 2019: 21.5%, Macon Tract 9702
Lowest percentage of tobacco use in 2019: 13.6%, Macon Tract 9705.02
The map shows the percentage of current adult smokers in Macon County.
In 2019, the percent of adults who were current smokers in Macon County was 18.3%. The tract with the highest percentage of adults who were current smokers was 21.5%, while the tract with the lowest was 13.6%.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
Highest percentage of excessive drinking in 2019: 14.9%, Macon Tract 9707
Lowest percentage of excessive drinking in 2019: 12.4%, Macon Tract 9705.01
The map shows the percentage of adults reporting binge or heavy drinking in Macon County.
In 2019, the percentage of adults reporting binge or heavy drinking in Macon County was 13.1%. The tract with the highest percentage of adults reporting binge or heavy drinking was Macon Tract 9707 (14.9%), while the tract with the lowest was Macon Tract 9705.01 (12.4%).
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
In order to provide meaningful, localized insights into this indicator, we substituted data from the CDC PLACES project that measures the percent of the current population aged ≥18 years who report having been diagnosed with diabetes in their lifetime, excluding pregnancy-related diabetes.
Highest percentage of adults with diabetes in 2019: 14.3%, Macon Tract 9702
Lowest percentage of adults with diabetes in 2019: 11.7%, Macon Tract 9707
The map shows the percentage of adults with diabetes in Macon County.
In 2019, the percentage of adults with diabetes in Macon County was 13.6%. The county with the highest percentage of adults with diabetes was Macon Tract 9702 (14.3%), while the county with the lowest was Macon Tract 9707 (11.7%).
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
Highest HIV diagnosis rate in 2010-2020: 7.62, Buncombe
Lowest HIV diagnosis rate in 2010-2020: 6.14, Burke
The map shows the HIV diagnosis rate (average across years) in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric, highlighting Macon County on the map for comparison with other counties.
In the years of 2010-2020, the highest average HIV diagnosis rate in Macon County was N/A.
In order to provide meaningful, localized insights into this indicator, we substituted data from NC Live Birth Statistics that measures the number of births to girls under 18 per 1,000 population.
Highest teen births rate in 2011-2019: 5.07, Swain
Lowest teen births rate in 2011-2019: 1.27, Clay
The map shows the teen birth rate (average across years) per 1,000 females under 18 in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric, highlighting Macon County on the map for comparison with other counties.
In the years of 2011-2019, the average teen birth rate in Macon County was 2.73.
The graph shows Macon County's position in the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the teen birth rate (average across years) or the average annual change.
In order to provide meaningful, localized insights into this indicator, we substituted data from U.S. Census Bureau that measures the population without health insurance at all ages.
The map shows the uninsured rate in Macon County and how it has changed over time.
In 2020, the uninsured rate in Macon County was 13.4%. The tract with the highest uninsured rate was Macon Tract 9703.02 (23.2%), while the tract with the lowest uninsured rate was Macon Tract 9701 (7.3%).
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The graph shows the uninsured rate in Macon County by race and ethnicity from 2012 to 2020.
In 2020, the population with the highest uninsured rate was Hispanic (40.8%), while the population with the lowest uninsured rate was 2+ races (7.47%).
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The visualization shows the trend of the uninsured rate, its projection until 2030 and the target value for Macon County and the race selected with the upper buttons.
In Macon County, the uninsured rate reached 13.4% in 2020. Between 2012 and 2020, Macon County saw a 1% average annual decrease in this indicator.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
Healthy NC State Target (2030): 1:1,500
Primary care workforce as a ratio of the number of full-time equivalent primary care clinicians to county population.
Includes physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse midwives.
Provider location defined by primary practice location on licensure information.
Certified nurse midwife counts were not available for 2019.
Highest primary care workforce rate 2019: 1 : 142, Buncombe
Lowest primary care workforce rate 2019: 1 : 1190, Madison
The map shows the ratio of primary care provider to total population in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric, highlighting Macon County on the map for comparison with other counties.
In 2019, the ratio of primary care provider to total population in Macon County was 1 : 380.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The graph shows Macon County's rank out of counties in North Carolina by the ratio of primary care provider to total population or the average annual change.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
Macon (2019): 74.5%, of women
Healthy NC State Target (2030): 80%, of women
Percent of women who receive pregnancy-related health care services during the first trimester of a pregnancy.
First trimester is defined as the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Highest early prenatal care rate 2019: 83.9%, Yancey
Lowest early prenatal care rate 2019: 61.9%, Rutherford
The map shows the early prenatal care rate in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric, highlighting Macon County on the map for comparison with other counties.
In 2019, the early prenatal care rate in Macon County was 74.5%.
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
The graph shows the early prenatal care rate in the Macon County by race and ethnicity from 2011 to 2019.
In 2019, the population with the highest early prenatal care rate was White (non-Hispanic) (79.1%), while the population with the lowest was Hispanic (60.6%).
*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.
Macon (2013-2019): 21.8, per 100,000 people
Healthy NC State Target (2030): 11.1, per 100,000 people
Age-adjusted number of deaths attributable to self-harm per 100,000 population.
This HNC 2030 indicator's data is drawn from NC Vital Statistics, which provides publicly-available data at the statewide level.
In order to provide meaningful, localized insights into this indicator, we substituted data from NC Detailed Mortality Statistics that is not age-adjusted.
Highest suicides rate in 2013-2019 per 100,000 population: 28.7, Polk
Lowest suicides rate in 2013-2019: 13.3, Clay
The map shows the suicide rate (average across years) per 100,000 population in the Mountains Region as well as the average change in this metric, highlighting Macon County on the map for comparison with other counties.
In the years of 2013-2019, the suicide rate per 100,000 population in Macon County was 21.8.
Highest infant mortality rate in 2011-2019 per 1,000 births: 14.8, Swain
Lowest infant mortality rate in 2011-2019 per 1,000 births: 6.26, Henderson
The map shows the infant mortality rate (average across years) per 1,000 births in Macon County as well as the average yearly change in this metric, highlighting Macon County on the map for comparison with other counties.
In the years of 2011-2019, the infant mortality rate per 1,000 births in Macon County was 8.64.
Highest average life expectancy 2015: 85.9, Macon Tract 9705.02
Lowest average life expectancy 2015: 75.4, Macon Tract 9703.01
The map shows the average life expectancy in Macon County by tracts in 2015.
The tract with the highest average life expectancy was Macon Tract 9705.02 (85.9 years), while the tract with the lowest was Macon Tract 9703.01 (75.4 years).
The graph shows the average life expectancy in Macon County by race and ethnicity.
In 2020, the population with the highest average life expectancy in Macon County was Hispanic (84.8), while the population with the lowest was White (78).
* Data interpretation should consider the Hispanic Epidemiological Paradox.