Madison County, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Madison County
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Madison County Courthouse in Huntsville
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Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
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Alabama's location within the U.S. |
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Country | United States |
State | Alabama |
Founded | December 13, 1808 |
Named for | James Madison |
Seat | Huntsville |
Largest city | Huntsville |
Area | |
• Total | 813 sq mi (2,110 km2) |
• Land | 802 sq mi (2,080 km2) |
• Water | 11 sq mi (30 km2) 1.4% |
Population
(2020)
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• Total | 388,153 |
• Estimate
(2021)
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395,211 |
• Density | 477.43/sq mi (184.34/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 5th |
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Madison County is located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 388,153, making it the third-most populous county in Alabama. Its county seat is Huntsville. Since the mid-20th century it has become an area of defense and space research and industry.
The county is named in honor of James Madison, fourth President of the United States and the first President to visit the state of Alabama. Madison County covers parts of the former Decatur County. Madison County is included in the Huntsville, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
History
Madison County was established on December 13, 1808 by the governor of the Mississippi Territory. It is recognized as the "birthplace" of Alabama, which was founded there on December 14, 1819. For much of the county's history, the economy revolved mainly around agriculture. Madison County was one of the largest cotton-producing counties in the state, and textile mills operated around the county.
This changed when a group of former Nazi German rocket scientists, led by Wernher von Braun, came to Redstone Arsenal in 1950. They developed, among others, the Redstone rocket, which was modified to launch the first two Americans into space. Tens of thousands of jobs came to the area as a result of the Space Race, and the population of Madison County rose from 72,903 in 1950 to an estimated 2015 population of 353,089.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 813 square miles (2,110 km2), of which 802 square miles (2,080 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (1.4%) is water.
The topography in the southern and eastern portions of the county is dominated by the dissected remnants of the Cumberland Plateau, such as Keel Mountain, Monte Sano Mountain and Green Mountain. The northern and western portions of the county are flatter.
Rivers
Adjacent counties
- Lincoln County, Tennessee (north)
- Franklin County, Tennessee (northeast)
- Jackson County (east)
- Marshall County (southeast)
- Morgan County (southwest)
- Limestone County (west)
National protected area
Demographics
Historical population | |||
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Census | Pop. | %± | |
1810 | 4,699 | — | |
1820 | 17,481 | 272.0% | |
1830 | 27,990 | 60.1% | |
1840 | 25,706 | −8.2% | |
1850 | 26,427 | 2.8% | |
1860 | 26,451 | 0.1% | |
1870 | 31,267 | 18.2% | |
1880 | 37,625 | 20.3% | |
1890 | 38,119 | 1.3% | |
1900 | 43,702 | 14.6% | |
1910 | 47,041 | 7.6% | |
1920 | 51,268 | 9.0% | |
1930 | 64,623 | 26.0% | |
1940 | 66,317 | 2.6% | |
1950 | 72,903 | 9.9% | |
1960 | 117,348 | 61.0% | |
1970 | 186,540 | 59.0% | |
1980 | 196,966 | 5.6% | |
1990 | 238,912 | 21.3% | |
2000 | 276,700 | 15.8% | |
2010 | 334,811 | 21.0% | |
2020 | 388,153 | 15.9% | |
2021 (est.) | 395,211 | 18.0% | |
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 276,700 people, 109,955 households, and 75,319 families residing in the county. The population density was 344 people per square mile (133/km2). There were 120,288 housing units at an average density of 149 per square mile (58/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 72.06% White, 22.78% Black or African American, 0.77% Native American, 1.86% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Nearly 1.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
According to the 2000 census, the largest ancestry groups in Madison County were English 50.2%, African 22.78%, Scots-Irish 8.71%, Irish 4.3%, Scottish 4.12%, and Welsh 2.9%
2010
According to the 2010 U.S. Census:
- 65.9 White(non-Hispanic)
- 24.6% Black
- 0.8% Native American
- 2.5% Asian
- 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
- 2.3% Two or more races
- 4.7% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
There were 109,955 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 53.40% were married couples living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. Nearly 27.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45, and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.60% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 31.50% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $44,704, and the median income for a family was $54,360. Males had a median income of $40,779 versus $26,534 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,091. About 8.10% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.10% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.
2020
Race | Num. | Perc. |
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White (non-Hispanic) | 237,497 | 61.19% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 91,079 | 23.46% |
Native American | 2,132 | 0.55% |
Asian | 10,179 | 2.62% |
Pacific Islander | 450 | 0.12% |
Other/Mixed | 21,880 | 5.64% |
Hispanic or Latino | 24,936 | 6.42% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 388,153 people, 155,878 households, and 102,575 families residing in the county.
Transportation
Major highways
- Interstate 565
- U.S. Highway 72 (University Drive in Huntsville city limits)
- U.S. Highway 231 (Memorial Parkway in Huntsville city limits)
- U.S. Highway 431 (Governors Drive in Medical District of Huntsville; Memorial Parkway for rest of length in Huntsville City Limits)
- State Route 53 (Jordan Lane in much of Huntsville city limits)
- State Route 255 (Research Park Boulevard)
Rail
- Norfolk Southern Railway
- Huntsville and Madison County Railroad Authority
Air travel
The Port of Huntsville provides both passenger air service, via Huntsville International Airport which allows access to most of the rest of the United States, and shipping air service, via the International Intermodal Center. There are also three smaller public airports in the county: Hazel Green Airport, Madison County Executive Airport, and Moontown Airport.
Bicycle routes
There are several bicycle routes in the city of Huntsville. Madison County has a master plan to develop a 70-mile bicycle and walking trail.
Communities
Cities
- Huntsville (county seat; partly in Limestone County)
- Madison (partly in Limestone County)
- New Hope
Towns
Census-designated places
- Harvest
- Hazel Green
- Meridianville
- Moores Mill
- New Market
- Redstone Arsenal
Unincorporated communities
Places of interest
Madison County is home to Monte Sano State Park, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and part of the Flint River. It also contains Hampton Cove Golf Course, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
Education
The Madison County School System runs public schools throughout the unincorporated areas of the county and the incorporated and unincorporated communities of Gurley, New Hope, Meridianville, Hazel Green, Toney, Monrovia, New Market, and Owens Cross Roads. The system runs 14 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 5 high schools and a ninth grade school, and a career/technical center.
High schools in the Madison County School System are:
- Buckhorn High School (New Market)
- Hazel Green High School
- Madison County High School (Gurley)
- New Hope High School
- Sparkman High School (Harvest)
There are a number of private schools serving Madison County. These include Randolph School, Madison Academy, Westminster Christian Academy, Faith Christian Academy, and several others.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Madison (Alabama) para niños