Madison County, Georgia

Madison County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,120.[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.

Not to be confused with Madison, Georgia.

Madison County
U.S. county
Madison County Courthouse in Danielsville
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°08′N 83°13′W
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedDecember 5, 1811
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
 • Estimate 
(2018)
29,650
 • Density100/sq mi (40/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.madisoncountyga.us

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]

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.[9]

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.[10]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
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%
2018 (est.)29,650[11]5.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2013[1]

2000 census

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 25,730 people, 9,800 households, and 7,330 families living in the county. The population density was 91 people 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.[17] 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).[18] 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.[17] In terms of ancestry, 20.7% were American, 9.1% were Irish, 9.1% were English, and 7.2% were German.[19]

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.[17]

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.[20]

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.

Board of Commissioners

  • Chairman – John Scarborough
  • District 1 – Lee Allen
  • District 2 – Tripp Strickland
  • District 3 – Theresa Bettis
  • District 4 – John Pethel, Sr.
  • District 5 – Derek Doster
Presidential elections results
Previous presidential elections results[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 75.8% 11,326 22.8% 3,411 1.4% 200
2016 76.2% 9,201 20.1% 2,425 3.8% 455
2012 75.8% 8,443 22.4% 2,494 1.8% 196
2008 72.4% 8,226 26.1% 2,965 1.5% 174
2004 73.6% 7,254 25.6% 2,527 0.8% 75
2000 69.2% 5,529 28.6% 2,285 2.2% 179
1996 53.4% 3,992 34.4% 2,571 12.2% 913
1992 48.6% 3,351 34.7% 2,393 16.7% 1149
1988 69.1% 3,724 30.4% 1,639 0.5% 26
1984 69.0% 3,768 31.0% 1,690
1980 43.1% 2,330 55.2% 2,980 1.7% 91
1976 24.9% 1,115 75.1% 3,367
1972 82.0% 2,606 18.0% 572
1968 16.0% 600 16.6% 622 67.4% 2,529
1964 33.7% 1,190 66.3% 2,341
1960 7.8% 205 92.2% 2,418
1956 6.8% 161 93.2% 2,222
1952 10.6% 225 89.4% 1,899
1948 4.3% 62 80.6% 1,160 15.1% 217
1944 17.6% 265 82.2% 1,235 0.1% 2
1940 13.6% 185 85.4% 1,160 1.0% 14
1936 18.7% 393 80.9% 1,697 0.4% 8
1932 1.8% 38 97.9% 2,124 0.4% 8
1928 52.7% 527 47.4% 474
1924 17.6% 121 73.5% 504 8.9% 61
1920 28.9% 281 71.2% 693
1916 12.6% 181 86.1% 1,241 1.3% 19
1912 20.2% 146 78.0% 564 1.8% 13

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

  • District 1 - Robert Hooper (Nov 2007 - Dec 2018)
  • District 2 - Angie McGinnis (Jan 2015 - Dec 2018)
  • District 3 - Cindy Nash (Jan 2013 - Dec 2020)
  • District 4 - Byron Lee (Jan 2017 - Dec 2020)
  • District 5 - Brenda Moon (Jan 2017 - Dec 2020)

School Superintendent - Dr. Allen McCannon (since May 2011)

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 (private), Hull
  • The Busy Box Pre-School (private), Hull
  • The Learning Train Pre-School (private), Colbert
  • Building Blocks Pre-School (private), Hull

Communities

Incorporated Cities

Unincorporated Communities

Notable people

Historic sites

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  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. 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. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  11. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  12. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  14. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  15. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  17. "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.
  18. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  19. "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.
  20. "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.
  21. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 21, 2018.

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