Madison County is a county of the State of Alabama. Its name is in honor of James Madison, fourth President of the United States of America, and the first to visit the state of Alabama. As of 2000 the population was 276,700. Its county seat is Huntsville. Madison County covers parts of the former Decatur County.

History

Madison County was established on December 13, 1808.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,105 km² (813 mi²). 2,085 km² (805 mi²) of it is land and 21 km² (8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.98% water.

Madison County is bordered by Limestone County to the west, Jackson County to the east, Morgan and Marshall Counties to the south and Lincoln County, Tennessee to the north.

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 and Green Mountain . The northern and western portions of the county are flatter.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 276,700 people, 109,955 households, and 75,319 families residing in the county. The population density is 133/km² (344/mi²). There are 120,288 housing units at an average density of 58/km² (149/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 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. 1.89% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 109,955 households out of which 33.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.40% are married couples living together, 11.80% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% are non-families. 27.20% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.45 and the average family size is 3.00.

In the county the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $44,704, and the median income for a family is $54,360. Males have a median income of $40,779 versus $26,534 for females. The per capita income for the county is $23,091. 10.50% of the population and 8.10% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 14.10% of those under the age of 18 and 9.60% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Municipalities and census-designated places

• Gurley
• Harvest
• Hazel Green
• Huntsville (part - part of Huntsville is in Limestone County)
• Madison (part - part of Madison is in Limestone County)
• Meridianville
• Moores Mill
• New Hope
• New Market
• Owens Cross Roads
• Redstone Arsenal
• Triana