Madison County, Georgia

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Not to be confused with Madison, Georgia.

Template:Infobox U.S. county

Madison County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,120.[1] The county seat is Danielsville.[2] The county was created on December 5, 1811. The county's largest city is Comer with a population of 1,200. Madison County was included in the Athens–Clarke County metropolitan area, which is included in the Atlanta–Athens–Clarke County–Sandy Springs CSA.

History

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Madison County was organized by an act of the General Assembly of Georgia on December 11, 1811. It was named for James Madison,[3] who served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. It was the 38th county formed in Georgia, and began to function as a county in 1812. Madison County was formed from the counties of Clarke, Elbert, Franklin, Jackson, Oglethorpe.[4]

Early agriculture in Madison County was devoted to food crops and livestock (cattle, hogs, and sheep), which were sufficient to feed the population. Just after the Civil War ended, the demand for a cash crop led to major reliance on cotton.[5] The soils of Madison County were heavily damaged by this cotton monoculture. From the 1930s on, agriculture became more diverse. Today, agribusiness dominates the local economy, with poultry production particularly important.

Madison and Oglethorpe counties share Watson Mill Bridge State Park, the site of the longest covered bridge in Georgia. The bridge, which is over 100 years old, spans 229 feet of the South Fork of the Broad River. There are also facilities for camping, hiking trails, picnicking, and fishing in the park.

The Madison County Courthouse, one of the most ornate in Georgia, was built in 1901 for the sum of $18,314. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. New Hope Presbyterian Church, established in 1788, is the third oldest church in Georgia.[6]

Lt. Col. Lemuel Penn, a decorated veteran of World War II and a United States Army Reserve officer, was murdered by members of the Ku Klux Klan on July 11, 1964, nine days after passage of the Civil Rights Act, on a Broad River bridge on the Georgia State Route 172 in Madison County.[7][8]

Postal history

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In 1879, there were only four post offices in Madison County: Danielsville, Fort Lamar, Madison Springs and Paoli.[9] In 1889, Madison county had post offices at Carlton, Danielsville, Dowdy, Fort Lamar, Gholston (Gholston's Stand), Hix, Ila, Madison Springs, Medicus, Paoli and Planter.[10]

By 1900, additional post offices had been opened in Alvin, Berea, Boggs, Carruth, Comer, Fiveforks (now Comer), Jeptha, Larkin, Monitor, Neese, Pocataligo and Sorrells, while the offices in Gholston and Medicus had been closed.[11] By 1910, most of these post offices had closed; the only remaining ones were in Carlton, Colbert, Comer, Danielsville and Hull.[12]

By 1920, the office in Ila had reopened.[13] The county would retain these six post offices into the 21st century.[14]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 286 square miles (740 km2), of which 282 square miles (730 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (1.1%) is water.[15]

The vast majority of Madison County is located in the Broad River sub-basin of the Savannah River basin, with just a very small portion of the county's western edge located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.[16]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Communities

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Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Demographics

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Template:US Census population

Racial and ethnic composition

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Madison County, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[17] Pop 1990[18] Pop 2000[19] Pop 2010[20] Pop 2020[21] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 15,679 18,945 22,713 24,106 23,549 88.35% 90.00% 88.27% 85.73% 78.18%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,900 1,845 2,165 2,320 2,753 10.71% 8.76% 8.41% 8.25% 9.14%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 18 26 44 63 44 0.10% 0.12% 0.17% 0.22% 0.15%
Asian alone (NH) 10 52 70 173 521 0.06% 0.25% 0.27% 0.62% 1.73%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [22] x [23] 6 0 4 x x 0.02% 0.00% 0.01%
Other race alone (NH) 4 0 28 32 106 0.02% 0.00% 0.11% 0.11% 0.35%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [24] x [25] 197 287 1,187 x x 0.77% 1.02% 3.94%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 136 182 507 1,139 1,956 0.77% 0.86% 1.97% 4.05% 6.49%
Total 17,747 21,050 25,730 28,120 30,120 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 30,120 people, 11,267 households, and 8,153 families residing in the county.[26][27]

The median age was 40.9 years; 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.2 males age 18 and over.[27]

9.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 90.7% lived in rural areas.[26]

The racial makeup of the county was 79.6% White, 9.2% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.4% from some other race, and 5.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 6.5% of the population.[28]

There were 11,267 households in the county, of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[27]

There were 12,114 housing units, of which 7.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.1% were owner-occupied and 22.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.3%.[27]

Government

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The citizens of Madison County are represented by an elected six member board of commissioners. Each commissioner represents one of five districts plus a chairman of the board elected at large for the whole county.

As of the 2020s, Madison County is a strongly Republican voting county, voting 76.86% for Donald Trump in 2024. For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Madison County is part of Georgia's 9th congressional district. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Madison County is part of District 47.[29] For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Madison County is represented by District 33 and District 123.[30]

United States presidential election results for Madison County, Georgia[31]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1912 13 1.80% 564 78.01% 146 20.19%
1916 19 1.32% 1,241 86.12% 181 12.56%
1920 281 28.85% 693 71.15% 0 0.00%
1924 121 17.64% 504 73.47% 61 8.89%
1928 527 52.65% 474 47.35% 0 0.00%
1932 38 1.75% 2,124 97.88% 8 0.37%
1936 393 18.73% 1,697 80.89% 8 0.38%
1940 185 13.61% 1,160 85.36% 14 1.03%
1944 265 17.64% 1,235 82.22% 2 0.13%
1948 62 4.31% 1,160 80.61% 217 15.08%
1952 225 10.59% 1,899 89.41% 0 0.00%
1956 161 6.76% 2,222 93.24% 0 0.00%
1960 205 7.82% 2,418 92.18% 0 0.00%
1964 1,190 33.70% 2,341 66.30% 0 0.00%
"text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/American Independent |1968 600 16.00% 622 16.58% 2,529 67.42%
1972 2,606 82.00% 572 18.00% 0 0.00%
1976 1,115 24.88% 3,367 75.12% 0 0.00%
1980 2,330 43.14% 2,980 55.17% 91 1.68%
1984 3,768 69.04% 1,690 30.96% 0 0.00%
1988 3,724 69.10% 1,639 30.41% 26 0.48%
1992 3,351 48.61% 2,393 34.72% 1,149 16.67%
1996 3,992 53.40% 2,571 34.39% 913 12.21%
2000 5,529 69.17% 2,285 28.59% 179 2.24%
2004 7,254 73.60% 2,527 25.64% 75 0.76%
2008 8,226 72.38% 2,965 26.09% 174 1.53%
2012 8,443 75.84% 2,494 22.40% 196 1.76%
2016 9,201 76.16% 2,425 20.07% 455 3.77%
2020 11,326 75.78% 3,411 22.82% 208 1.39%
2024 12,951 76.86% 3,753 22.27% 147 0.87%
2016 1 33.33% 1 33.33% 1 33.33%


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Education

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Madison County public education is served by the Madison County School District. The Madison County Board of Education oversees and operates the public charter school system in the School District. Madison County Board of Education operates 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school and 1 career academy.

The Madison County Board of Education is overseen by 5 elected board members, from 5 districts in the county. The Board appoints a School Superintendent who works at the pleasure of the Board as a whole.

The district has 290 full-time teachers and over 4,621 students.

Public Schools

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  • Colbert Elementary School
  • Comer Elementary School
  • Danielsville Elementary School
  • Hull-Sanford Elementary School
  • Ila Elementary School
  • Madison County Middle School (MCMS), Home of the Mustangs
  • Madison County High School (MCHS), Home of the Red Raiders
  • Broad River College and Career Academy

Private schools

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  • Union Christian Academy, Hull
  • The Busy Box Pre-School, Hull
  • The Learning Train Pre-School, Colbert
  • Building Blocks Pre-School, Hull

Notable people

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Historic sites

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See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Madison County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 196.
  4. ↑ Berryman, Mary Love (November 29, 2002). "MADISON COUNTY, GEORGIA - 1938". USGenWeb Archives. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  5. ↑ David D. Long (1921). "Soil Survey of Madison County, Georgia" (PDF). Nrcs.usda.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 26, 2015. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Ila". Georgia.gov. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  7. ↑ Alschuler, Albert W. (February 1995). "Racial Quotas and the Jury". Duke Law Journal. Duke University School of Law. 44 (4): 704–743. doi:10.2307/1372922. JSTOR 1372922.
  8. ↑ Thompson, Jim (July 11, 2004). "Highway 172 revisited". Athens Banner-Herald.
  9. ↑ "Post Offices in the United States, December 1, 1879, Arranged by States and Counties." United States Official Postal Guide. Houghton, Osgood and Company, 1880. p. 331.
  10. ↑ "Post Offices in the United States, December 1, 1889, Arranged by States and Counties." United States Official Postal Guide. The Brodix Publishing Company, 1890. p. 478.
  11. ↑ "Post Offices in the United States, December 1, 1900, With Stations and Sub-stations, Arranged by States and Counties." United States Official Postal Guide. George F. Lasher, Printer, 1901. p. 615.
  12. ↑ "Post Offices and Branch Post Offices, Arranged by States and Counties, June 1, 1910." United States Official Postal Guide. J. B. Lyon Printers, 1910. p. 580.
  13. ↑ "County List: Post Offices and Branch Post Offices, June 1, 1920." United States Official Postal Guide. The Post Office Department, 1920. p. 680.
  14. ↑ Madison County, Georgia, at PostOfficeFinder.org. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  15. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  17. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Georgia - Table 58 - Race by Sex: 1980 and Table 59 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 12-52. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2026 – via Wayback Machine.
  18. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia: Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 15-65. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 1, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  19. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Madison County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  20. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Madison County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  21. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Madison County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  22. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  23. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  24. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  25. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  28. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  29. ↑ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  31. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  32. ↑ "2022 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Georgia by county. November 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
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Template:Geographic Location Template:Madison County, Georgia Template:Georgia (U.S. state) Coordinates: 34°08′N 83°13′W / 34.13°N 83.21°W / 34.13; -83.21

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