Swain County, NC neighbors Haywood near Bryson City metropolitan centre thus granting an estimated 2020 census population standing at 14,047 making it the 96th most populous county situated hereabouts. Its county seat is Bryson City with other towns include Cherokee & Whittier- Bryson City itself corresponds out to Swain's biggestcity aside from recognized country seat. This area had been formed from Jackson and Macon Counties back in 1871 when local residents petitioned for new administrative boundaries - posthumously named after David Swain North Carolina governor who served as President Of University Of North Carolina during era Ulysses S Grant .