Madison County
County
Madison County Courthouse in Danielsville
Madison County Courthouse in Danielsville
Map of Georgia highlighting Madison County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°08′N 83°13′W / 34.13°N 83.21°W / 34.13; -83.21
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedDecember 5, 1811 (1811-12-05)
Named forJames Madison
SeatDanielsville
Largest cityComer
Area
 • Total286 sq mi (740 km2)
 • Land282 sq mi (730 km2)
 • Water3.3 sq mi (9 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total30,120
 • Density107/sq mi (41/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.madisoncountyga.us

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, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Atlanta–Athens–Clarke County–Sandy Springs, GA Combined Statistical Area.

History

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

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

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

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18203,735—
18304,64624.4%
18404,510−2.9%
18505,70326.5%
18605,9334.0%
18705,227−11.9%
18807,97752.6%
189011,02438.2%
190013,22420.0%
191016,85127.4%
192018,80311.6%
193014,921−20.6%
194013,431−10.0%
195012,238−8.9%
196011,246−8.1%
197013,51720.2%
198017,74731.3%
199021,05018.6%
200025,73022.2%
201028,1209.3%
202030,1207.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
1790-1880[18]1890-1910[19]
1920-1930[20] 1930-1940[21]
1940-1950[22] 1960-1980[23]
1980-2000[24] 2010[25]

2000 census

As of the census[26] of 2000, there were 25,730 people, 9,800 households, and 7,330 families living in the county. The population density was 91 inhabitants per square mile (35/km2). There were 10,520 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.01% White, 8.46% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.03% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 1.97% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,800 households, out of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were married couples living together 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.20% were non-families. 21.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 30.60% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,347, and the median income for a family was $42,189. Males had a median income of $31,324 versus $22,426 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,998. About 9.20% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 16.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 28,120 people, 10,508 households, and 7,804 families living in the county.[27] The population density was 99.6 inhabitants per square mile (38.5/km2). There were 11,784 housing units at an average density of 41.7 per square mile (16.1/km2).[28] The racial makeup of the county was 87.6% white, 8.4% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 1.9% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.1% of the population.[27] In terms of ancestry, 20.7% were American, 9.1% were Irish, 9.1% were English, and 7.2% were German.[29]

Of the 10,508 households, 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.7% were non-families, and 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 39.4 years.[27]

The median income for a household in the county was $41,343 and the median income for a family was $49,713. Males had a median income of $37,963 versus $28,732 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,975. About 14.7% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.[30]

2020 census

Madison County Racial Composition[31]
Race Num. Perc.
White 23,549 78.18%
Black or African American 2,753 9.14%
Native American 44 0.15%
Asian 521 1.73%
Pacific Islander 4 0.01%
Other/Mixed 1,293 4.29%
Hispanic or Latino 1,956 6.49%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 30,120 people, 10,744 households, and 8,153 families residing in the county.

Government

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.

United States presidential election results for Madison County, Georgia[32]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 11,326 75.78% 3,411 22.82% 208 1.39%
2016 9,201 76.16% 2,425 20.07% 455 3.77%
2012 8,443 75.84% 2,494 22.40% 196 1.76%
2008 8,226 72.38% 2,965 26.09% 174 1.53%
2004 7,254 73.60% 2,527 25.64% 75 0.76%
2000 5,529 69.17% 2,285 28.59% 179 2.24%
1996 3,992 53.40% 2,571 34.39% 913 12.21%
1992 3,351 48.61% 2,393 34.72% 1,149 16.67%
1988 3,724 69.10% 1,639 30.41% 26 0.48%
1984 3,768 69.04% 1,690 30.96% 0 0.00%
1980 2,330 43.14% 2,980 55.17% 91 1.68%
1976 1,115 24.88% 3,367 75.12% 0 0.00%
1972 2,606 82.00% 572 18.00% 0 0.00%
1968 600 16.00% 622 16.58% 2,529 67.42%
1964 1,190 33.70% 2,341 66.30% 0 0.00%
1960 205 7.82% 2,418 92.18% 0 0.00%
1956 161 6.76% 2,222 93.24% 0 0.00%
1952 225 10.59% 1,899 89.41% 0 0.00%
1948 62 4.31% 1,160 80.61% 217 15.08%
1944 265 17.64% 1,235 82.22% 2 0.13%
1940 185 13.61% 1,160 85.36% 14 1.03%
1936 393 18.73% 1,697 80.89% 8 0.38%
1932 38 1.75% 2,124 97.88% 8 0.37%
1928 527 52.65% 474 47.35% 0 0.00%
1924 121 17.64% 504 73.47% 61 8.89%
1920 281 28.85% 693 71.15% 0 0.00%
1916 19 1.32% 1,241 86.12% 181 12.56%
1912 13 1.80% 564 78.01% 146 20.19%

Education

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

  • 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

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

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Notable people

Historic sites

See also

References

  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 (PDF) from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Ila". Georgia.gov. 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 1 July 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. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  18. ↑ "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1880.
  19. ↑ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1910.
  20. ↑ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1930.
  21. ↑ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1940.
  22. ↑ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1950.
  23. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 1980.
  24. ↑ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). US Census Bureau. 2000.
  25. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  26. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  27. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  29. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  30. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  32. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 21, 2018.

34°08′N 83°13′W / 34.13°N 83.21°W / 34.13; -83.21

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