The per capita carbon emissions(PCCE) of energy consumption in 182 county-level districts in Northeast China were measured in this paper. The spatio-temporal change of the PCCE from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed by using kernel density estimation, spatial autocorrelation analysis and Theil index and its influencing factors were discussed by panel data model, which provides a basis for determining carbon emission reduction targets and refining policy design. The results were as follows: The in county-level districts has shown a sustained growth trend since 2000. The growth rate in the first 10 years was faster than that in the second 10 years. Agricultural counties experienced faster growth than forestry counties, whereas urban core districts experienced the slowest growth. A significant spatial positive correlation was observed among county-level districts, exhibiting an overall south-north gradient with higher values in the southern regions and lower values in the northern areas. The relative difference of PCCE among county-level districts gradually decreased, and the differences among prefecture-level districts constituted the main factors behind the reduction in total differences, whereas total differences were mainly manifested as the differences among counties. Economic growth and population quality had significant effects on all types of counties, with economic growth being the primary promoting factor to PCCE. Improving population quality had contributed to PCCE reductions, except in forestry counties. Consumption and population size also had important effects on the regional overall, urban core, and agricultural counties, with consumption contributing to carbon emissions, population shrinkage in the regional overall and in agricultural counties, and population growth in urban core districts suppressing carbon emissions. Urbanization promoted regional carbon emissions overall, but it suppressed emissions in forest counties. Higher technological development and population aging contributed to carbon emissions, albeit to a lesser extent. Environmental regulation had no effect on all county-level districts. To realize carbon emission reduction, it is necessary to strengthen the development of low-carbon industries, enhance the effectiveness of scientific and technological personnel, promote the management of population shrinkage and aging, advocate a low-carbon life and take a county-specific and multi-pronged approach.