Madison County, Illinois

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Madison County
County
Madison County Courthouse, Edwardsville.jpg
Madison County Courthouse in Edwardsville
Map of Illinois highlighting Madison County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Illinois in United States.svg
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°50′N89°55′W / 38.83°N 89.91°W / 38.83; -89.91
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Illinois.svg Illinois
FoundedSeptember 14, 1812
Named after James Madison
Seat Edwardsville
Largest city Granite City
Area
 • Total
741 sq mi (1,920 km2)
 • Land716 sq mi (1,850 km2)
 • Water25 sq mi (60 km2)  3.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
264,776
 • Estimate 
(2024)
263,017 Decrease2.svg [1]
 • Density360/sq mi (140/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts 13th, 15th
Website www.madisoncountyil.gov

Madison County is located in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is a part of the Metro East in southern Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 264,776, [2] making it the eighth-most populous county in Illinois and the most populous in the southern portion of the state. The county seat is Edwardsville, and the largest city is Granite City. [3]

Contents

Madison County is part of the Metro East region of Greater St. Louis. The pre-Columbian city of Cahokia Mounds, a World Heritage Site, was located near Collinsville. Edwardsville is home to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. To the north, Alton is known for its abolitionist and American Civil War-era history. It is also the home of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. Godfrey, the village named for Captain Benjamin Godfrey, offers Lewis and Clark Community College formerly the Monticello Female Seminary.

History

Madison County was established on September 14, 1812. It was formed from parts of Randolph and St. Clair counties and named for President James Madison. [4] At the time of its formation, Madison County included all of the modern State of Illinois north of St. Louis, as well as all of Wisconsin, part of Minnesota, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

In the late 19th century, Madison County became an industrial region, and in the 20th century was known first for Graniteware, 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 the Democratic Party.

Industrial restructuring cost many jobs and reduced the population. The county now is part of the eastern St. Louis metropolitan area (nicknamed "Metro East"), as is neighboring St. 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 ]

Geography

According to the U.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 the Mississippi River, while the other major body of water is Horseshoe Lake.

Climate and weather

Edwardsville, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel [6]
Metric conversion
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
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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.

Adjacent counties and city

Parks and Reserves

Transportation

Madison County Transit serves the county with 25 bus routes and 85 miles (137 km) of bike trails. Intercity rail service is provided by Amtrak at Alton station. Trains on the Lincoln Service route travel between Chicago and St. Louis.

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1820 13,550—
1830 6,221−54.1%
1840 14,433132.0%
1850 20,44141.6%
1860 31,25152.9%
1870 44,13141.2%
1880 50,12613.6%
1890 51,5352.8%
1900 64,69425.5%
1910 89,84738.9%
1920 106,89519.0%
1930 143,83034.6%
1940 149,3493.8%
1950 182,30722.1%
1960 224,68923.2%
1970 250,93411.7%
1980 247,691−1.3%
1990 249,2380.6%
2000 258,9413.9%
2010 269,2824.0%
2020 265,859−1.3%
2023 (est.)262,752 [7] −1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [8]
1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10]
1990-2000 [11] 2010-2019 [12]

2020 census

Madison County, Illinois – 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 [13] Pop 1990 [14] Pop 2000 [15] Pop 2010 [16] Pop 2020 [17] % 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)229,372228,315231,313233,515213,79392.60%91.61%89.33%86.72%80.42%
Black or African American alone (NH)14,16216,07418,82521,06624,6715.72%6.45%7.27%7.82%9.28%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)4256566265565590.17%0.26%0.24%0.21%0.21%
Asian alone (NH)7401,3641,5152,2112,7180.30%0.55%0.59%0.82%1.02%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x [18] x [19] 509292xx0.02%0.03%0.03%
Other race alone (NH)4971162372068250.20%0.05%0.09%0.08%0.31%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)x [20] x [21] 2,4504,32312,404xx0.95%1.61%4.67%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)2,4952,7133,9257,31310,7971.01%1.09%1.52%2.72%4.06%
Total247,691249,238258,941269,282265,859 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%

According to the 2020 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]

2010 census

According to the 2010 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% were German, 14.9% were Irish, 10.5% were English, 7.5% were American, and 5.7% were Italian. [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 the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over. [25]

Communities

Map of Madison County, Illinois Townships.Madison.Co.map.png
Map of Madison County, Illinois

Cities

Villages

Census Designated Places

Other unincorporated and historic communities

Townships

Madison County is divided into twenty-four townships:

Islands

Historic Settlements

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Madison County.

†county seat

RankPlaceMunicipal typePopulation (2020 Census)
1 Granite City City27,549
2† Edwardsville City26,808
3 Alton City25,676
4 Collinsville (partially in St. Clair County )City24,366
5 Godfrey Village17,825
6 Glen Carbon Village13,842
7 Troy City10,960
8 Wood River Village10,464
9 Highland City9,991
10 Bethalto Village9,310
11 Maryville Village8,221
12 Pontoon Beach Village5,876
13 East Alton Village5,786
14 Rosewood Heights CDP3,971
15 Madison (partially in St. Clair County )City3,171
16 Holiday Shores CDP2,840
17 Fairmont City (partially in St. Clair County )City2,265
18 South Roxana Village1,891
19 Venice City1,498
20 Roxana Village1,454
21 St. Jacob Village1,358
22 Mitchell CDP1,217
23 Hartford Village1,185
24 Worden Village1,096
25 Hamel Village929
26 Marine Village912
27 Livingston Village763
28 Alhambra Village622
29 Pierron Village459
30 Moro CDP397
31 New Douglas Village350
32 Grantfork Village341
33 Williamson Village183

Politics

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 in the 2012 presidential election, becoming the first Republican presidential nominee to do so since 1984. In 2016, Donald Trump carried the largest share of the vote for any Republican presidential candidate since 1972. The county also supported the Republican candidates for governor in 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022.

As of February 2025, the county is one of 7 that voted to join the state of Indiana. [26]

United States presidential election results for Madison County, Illinois [27]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1892 5,35545.89%5,68048.68%6345.43%
1896 7,43153.26%6,34445.47%1771.27%
1900 8,10653.36%6,75344.46%3312.18%
1904 9,00957.12%5,42934.42%1,3338.45%
1908 9,46351.14%7,81242.22%1,2286.64%
1912 5,46230.57%7,15540.04%5,25129.39%
1916 17,59449.82%16,30246.16%1,4214.02%
1920 19,24957.82%10,14930.48%3,89411.70%
1924 19,92647.61%12,86330.74%9,06221.65%
1928 28,02853.48%23,65845.14%7201.37%
1932 19,77434.55%35,21161.52%2,2533.94%
1936 22,07333.60%42,17264.20%1,4412.19%
1940 30,44540.10%44,80359.01%6810.90%
1944 28,39941.23%40,11458.24%3590.52%
1948 25,05937.79%40,89761.68%3500.53%
1952 36,20641.60%50,73458.29%990.11%
1956 39,41345.10%47,89754.80%880.10%
1960 42,98443.90%54,78755.96%1330.14%
1964 30,00931.55%65,11568.45%00.00%
1968 39,62239.18%46,38445.87%15,12314.95%
1972 55,38555.88%43,28943.68%4420.45%
1976 44,18343.32%56,45755.35%1,3581.33%
1980 51,16051.10%43,86043.81%5,1045.10%
1984 57,02153.94%48,35245.74%3400.32%
1988 44,90745.04%54,17554.34%6130.61%
1992 32,16728.19%58,48451.26%23,44420.55%
1996 35,75835.55%53,56853.26%11,24711.18%
2000 48,82143.94%59,07753.17%3,2062.89%
2004 59,38448.02%63,39951.26%8950.72%
2008 57,17744.43%68,97953.60%2,5341.97%
2012 60,60849.32%58,92247.95%3,3552.73%
2016 70,49054.15%50,58738.86%9,1026.99%
2020 76,03155.27%57,83642.04%3,6912.68%
2024 73,92555.34%56,34142.18%3,3172.48%

Education

K-12 school districts include: [28]

Secondary school districts include: [28]

Elementary school districts include: [28]

Colleges and universities include:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020–2024". United States Census Bureau. U.S. Department of Commerce. March 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ Adams, James N. (compiler) (1989), Keller, William E. (ed.), Illinois Place Names , Springfield: Illinois State Historical Society, pp.  593, ISBN   0-912226-24-2
  5. 1 2 "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Monthly Averages for Edwardsville, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  12. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  13. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois- Table 14 - Persons by Race and Table 16 (p. 18-28) - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 29-39)" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
  14. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois - Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Orogin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
  15. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Madison County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
  16. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Madison County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
  17. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Madison County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
  18. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  19. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  20. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  21. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  22. ↑ "Madison County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  23. 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 July 12, 2015.
  24. ↑ "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 July 12, 2015.
  25. ↑ "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 July 12, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Opinion | Secession from Illinois is in the Air".
  27. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  28. 1 2 3 Geography Division (January 15, 2021). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Madison County, IL (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved July 4, 2025. - Text list

38°50′N89°55′W / 38.83°N 89.91°W / 38.83; -89.91

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