Madison County, Illinois | |
|---|---|
 Madison County Courthouse in Edwardsville | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofIllinois | |
 Illinois's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:38°50′N89°55′W / 38.83°N 89.91°W /38.83; -89.91 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Illinois |
| Founded | September 14, 1812 |
| Named after | James Madison |
| Seat | Edwardsville |
| Largest city | Granite City |
| Area | |
• Total | 741 sq mi (1,920 km2) |
| • Land | 716 sq mi (1,850 km2) |
| • Water | 25 sq mi (65 km2) 3.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 264,776 |
• Estimate (2024) | 263,017 [1] |
| • Density | 370/sq mi (143/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional districts | 13th,15th |
| Website | www |
Madison County is located in theU.S. state ofIllinois. It is a part of theMetro East insouthern Illinois. According to the2020 census, it had a population of 264,776,[2] making it the eighth-most populous county in Illinois and the most populous in thesouthern portion of the state. Thecounty seat isEdwardsville, and the largest city isGranite City.[3]
Madison County is part of theMetro East region ofGreater St. Louis. The pre-Columbian city ofCahokia Mounds, a World Heritage Site, was located near Collinsville. Edwardsville is home toSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville. To the north,Alton is known for itsabolitionist andAmerican Civil War-era history. It is also the home of theSouthern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine.Godfrey, the village named forCaptain Benjamin Godfrey, offersLewis and Clark Community College formerly theMonticello Female Seminary.
Madison County was established on September 14, 1812. It was formed from parts ofRandolph andSt. Clair counties and named for PresidentJames Madison.[4] At the time of its formation, Madison County included all of the modern State of Illinois north ofSt. Louis, as well as all of Wisconsin, part of Minnesota, and Michigan'sUpper Peninsula.
In the late 19th century, Madison County became an industrial region, and in the 20th century was known first forGraniteware, and later for its steel mills, oil refineries, and other heavy industries. The county had a large working population, and the county and surrounding area was a center of strength for theDemocratic Party.
Industrial restructuring cost many jobs and reduced the population. The county now is part of the easternSt. Louis metropolitan area (nicknamed "Metro East"), as is neighboringSt. Clair County.
In 2009, the EPA issued an air pollution report that ranked Madison County as the county with the second-highest cancer risk in the country due to air pollution, second only to Los Angeles County, California.[citation needed]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 741 square miles (1,920 km2), of which 716 square miles (1,850 km2) is land and 25 square miles (65 km2) (3.4%) is water.[5] Madison County is on theMississippi River, while the other major body of water isHorseshoe Lake.
| Edwardsville, Illinois | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Edwardsville have ranged from a low of 19 °F (−7 °C) in January to a high of 90 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −27 °F (−33 °C) was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 114 °F (46 °C) was recorded in July 2012. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.99 inches (51 mm) in January to 4.24 inches (108 mm) in May.[6] Climate Zone 4A per the International Energy Conservation Code.
Madison County Transit serves the county with 25 bus routes and 85 miles (137 km) of bike trails. Intercity rail service is provided byAmtrak atAlton station. Trains on theLincoln Service route travel between Chicago and St. Louis.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 13,550 | — | |
| 1830 | 6,221 | −54.1% | |
| 1840 | 14,433 | 132.0% | |
| 1850 | 20,441 | 41.6% | |
| 1860 | 31,251 | 52.9% | |
| 1870 | 44,131 | 41.2% | |
| 1880 | 50,126 | 13.6% | |
| 1890 | 51,535 | 2.8% | |
| 1900 | 64,694 | 25.5% | |
| 1910 | 89,847 | 38.9% | |
| 1920 | 106,895 | 19.0% | |
| 1930 | 143,830 | 34.6% | |
| 1940 | 149,349 | 3.8% | |
| 1950 | 182,307 | 22.1% | |
| 1960 | 224,689 | 23.2% | |
| 1970 | 250,934 | 11.7% | |
| 1980 | 247,691 | −1.3% | |
| 1990 | 249,238 | 0.6% | |
| 2000 | 258,941 | 3.9% | |
| 2010 | 269,282 | 4.0% | |
| 2020 | 265,859 | −1.3% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 263,017 | [7] | −1.1% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010-2019[12] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[13] | Pop 1990[14] | Pop 2000[15] | Pop 2010[16] | Pop 2020[17] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 229,372 | 228,315 | 231,313 | 233,515 | 213,793 | 92.60% | 91.61% | 89.33% | 86.72% | 80.42% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 14,162 | 16,074 | 18,825 | 21,066 | 24,671 | 5.72% | 6.45% | 7.27% | 7.82% | 9.28% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 425 | 656 | 626 | 556 | 559 | 0.17% | 0.26% | 0.24% | 0.21% | 0.21% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 740 | 1,364 | 1,515 | 2,211 | 2,718 | 0.30% | 0.55% | 0.59% | 0.82% | 1.02% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[18] | x[19] | 50 | 92 | 92 | x | x | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 497 | 116 | 237 | 206 | 825 | 0.20% | 0.05% | 0.09% | 0.08% | 0.31% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[20] | x[21] | 2,450 | 4,323 | 12,404 | x | x | 0.95% | 1.61% | 4.67% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2,495 | 2,713 | 3,925 | 7,313 | 10,797 | 1.01% | 1.09% | 1.52% | 2.72% | 4.06% |
| Total | 247,691 | 249,238 | 258,941 | 269,282 | 265,859 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
According to the2020 census, the racial makeup of the county was 81.4% white (80.4% white non-Hispanic), 9.4% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 6.3% two or more races, and 1.5% some other race. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.1% of the population.[22]
According to the2010 census, there were 269,282 people, 108,094 households, and 71,756 families residing in the county.[23] The population density was 376.3 inhabitants per square mile (145.3/km2). There were 117,106 housing units at an average density of 163.7 per square mile (63.2/km2).[5] The racial makeup of the county was 88.2% white, 7.9% black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.7% of the population.[23] In terms of ancestry, 32.7% wereGerman, 14.9% wereIrish, 10.5% wereEnglish, 7.5% wereAmerican, and 5.7% wereItalian.[24]
Of the 108,094 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.6% were non-families, and 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 38.6 years.[23]
The median income for a household in the county was $51,941 and the median income for a family was $64,630. Males had a median income of $50,355 versus $35,543 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,127. About 9.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.[25]
Madison County is divided into twenty-fourtownships:
The population ranking of the following table is based on the2020 census of Madison County.
†county seat
| Rank | Place | Municipal type | Population (2020 Census) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Granite City | City | 27,549 |
| 2 | †Edwardsville | City | 26,808 |
| 3 | Alton | City | 25,676 |
| 4 | Collinsville (partially inSt. Clair County) | City | 24,366 |
| 5 | Godfrey | Village | 17,825 |
| 6 | Glen Carbon | Village | 13,842 |
| 7 | Troy | City | 10,960 |
| 8 | Wood River | Village | 10,464 |
| 9 | Highland | City | 9,991 |
| 10 | Bethalto | Village | 9,310 |
| 11 | Maryville | Village | 8,221 |
| 12 | Pontoon Beach | Village | 5,876 |
| 13 | East Alton | Village | 5,786 |
| 14 | Rosewood Heights | CDP | 3,971 |
| 15 | Madison (partially inSt. Clair County) | City | 3,171 |
| 16 | Holiday Shores | CDP | 2,840 |
| 17 | Fairmont City (partially inSt. Clair County) | City | 2,265 |
| 18 | South Roxana | Village | 1,891 |
| 19 | Venice | City | 1,498 |
| 20 | Roxana | Village | 1,454 |
| 21 | St. Jacob | Village | 1,358 |
| 22 | Mitchell | CDP | 1,217 |
| 23 | Hartford | Village | 1,185 |
| 24 | Worden | Village | 1,096 |
| 25 | Hamel | Village | 929 |
| 26 | Marine | Village | 912 |
| 27 | Livingston | Village | 763 |
| 28 | Alhambra | Village | 622 |
| 29 | Pierron | Village | 459 |
| 30 | Moro | CDP | 397 |
| 31 | New Douglas | Village | 350 |
| 32 | Grantfork | Village | 341 |
| 33 | Williamson | Village | 183 |
Like much of southern Illinois, Madison County was a predominantly Democratic area for much of its history, but in recent elections has been moving toward Republican.Mitt Romney narrowly carried the county inthe 2012 presidential election, becoming the first Republican presidential nominee to do so since 1984. In2016,Donald Trump carried the largest share of the vote for any Republican presidential candidate since1972. The county also supported the Republican candidates forgovernor in2010,2014,2018, and2022.
As of February 2025, the county is one of 7 that voted to join the state of Indiana.[27]| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 5,355 | 45.89% | 5,680 | 48.68% | 634 | 5.43% |
| 1896 | 7,431 | 53.26% | 6,344 | 45.47% | 177 | 1.27% |
| 1900 | 8,106 | 53.36% | 6,753 | 44.46% | 331 | 2.18% |
| 1904 | 9,009 | 57.12% | 5,429 | 34.42% | 1,333 | 8.45% |
| 1908 | 9,463 | 51.14% | 7,812 | 42.22% | 1,228 | 6.64% |
| 1912 | 5,462 | 30.57% | 7,155 | 40.04% | 5,251 | 29.39% |
| 1916 | 17,594 | 49.82% | 16,302 | 46.16% | 1,421 | 4.02% |
| 1920 | 19,249 | 57.82% | 10,149 | 30.48% | 3,894 | 11.70% |
| 1924 | 19,926 | 47.61% | 12,863 | 30.74% | 9,062 | 21.65% |
| 1928 | 28,028 | 53.48% | 23,658 | 45.14% | 720 | 1.37% |
| 1932 | 19,774 | 34.55% | 35,211 | 61.52% | 2,253 | 3.94% |
| 1936 | 22,073 | 33.60% | 42,172 | 64.20% | 1,441 | 2.19% |
| 1940 | 30,445 | 40.10% | 44,803 | 59.01% | 681 | 0.90% |
| 1944 | 28,399 | 41.23% | 40,114 | 58.24% | 359 | 0.52% |
| 1948 | 25,059 | 37.79% | 40,897 | 61.68% | 350 | 0.53% |
| 1952 | 36,206 | 41.60% | 50,734 | 58.29% | 99 | 0.11% |
| 1956 | 39,413 | 45.10% | 47,897 | 54.80% | 88 | 0.10% |
| 1960 | 42,984 | 43.90% | 54,787 | 55.96% | 133 | 0.14% |
| 1964 | 30,009 | 31.55% | 65,115 | 68.45% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 39,622 | 39.18% | 46,384 | 45.87% | 15,123 | 14.95% |
| 1972 | 55,385 | 55.88% | 43,289 | 43.68% | 442 | 0.45% |
| 1976 | 44,183 | 43.32% | 56,457 | 55.35% | 1,358 | 1.33% |
| 1980 | 51,160 | 51.10% | 43,860 | 43.81% | 5,104 | 5.10% |
| 1984 | 57,021 | 53.94% | 48,352 | 45.74% | 340 | 0.32% |
| 1988 | 44,907 | 45.04% | 54,175 | 54.34% | 613 | 0.61% |
| 1992 | 32,167 | 28.19% | 58,484 | 51.26% | 23,444 | 20.55% |
| 1996 | 35,758 | 35.55% | 53,568 | 53.26% | 11,247 | 11.18% |
| 2000 | 48,821 | 43.94% | 59,077 | 53.17% | 3,206 | 2.89% |
| 2004 | 59,384 | 48.02% | 63,399 | 51.26% | 895 | 0.72% |
| 2008 | 57,177 | 44.43% | 68,979 | 53.60% | 2,534 | 1.97% |
| 2012 | 60,608 | 49.32% | 58,922 | 47.95% | 3,355 | 2.73% |
| 2016 | 70,490 | 54.15% | 50,587 | 38.86% | 9,102 | 6.99% |
| 2020 | 76,031 | 55.27% | 57,836 | 42.04% | 3,691 | 2.68% |
| 2024 | 73,925 | 55.34% | 56,341 | 42.18% | 3,317 | 2.48% |
K-12 school districts include:[28]
Secondary school districts include:[28]
Elementary school districts include:[28]
Colleges and universities include:
Places adjacent to Madison County, Illinois | |
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Municipalities and communities ofMadison County, Illinois,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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