Madison County, North Carolina

The county was formed in 1851 from parts of Buncombe County and Yancey County. It was named for James Madison, fourth president of the United States (1809–1817).^[3]

The community of Long Ridge, outside of Mars Hill, is a traditionally African American community, and boasts one of the last remaining Rosenwald Schools in Western North Carolina.^[4]

Interactive map of Madison County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 451.49 square miles (1,169.4 km²), of which 449.62 square miles (1,164.5 km²) is land and 1.87 square miles (4.8 km²) (0.41%) is water.^[5]

Madison County is located deep in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina, and much of the county's terrain is rugged, heavily forested, and sparsely populated. The county's northern border is with the State of Tennessee. Madison County's largest river is the French Broad River, which flows north-northwest through the county, first past the county seat of Marshall, then past the resort town of Hot Springs.

• Pisgah National Forest (part)

• Harmon Den Wildlife Management Area (part)
• Pisgah National Forest Game Land (part)^[6]
• Sandy Mush Game Land (part)^[6]

• Big Laurel Creek
• French Broad River
• Gabriel Creek
• Ivy Creek
• Little Creek
• Little Laurel Creek
• Simmons Creek
• Whiteoak Creek

• Greene County, Tennessee – north
• Unicoi County, Tennessee – northeast
• Yancey County – east
• Buncombe County – south
• Haywood County – southwest
• Cocke County, Tennessee – northwest

As of the 2020 census, there were 21,193 people, 8,403 households, and 5,456 families residing in the county.

At the 2000 census,^[13] there were 19,635 people, 8,000 households, and 5,592 families residing in the county. The population density was 44 people per square mile (17 people/km²). There were 9,722 housing units at an average density of 22 units per square mile (8.5 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.63% White, 0.83% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 1.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,000 households, out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.50% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.20% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,985, and the median income for a family was $37,383. Males had a median income of $27,950 versus $22,678 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,076. About 10.90% of families and 15.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.60% of those under age 18 and 19.20% of those age 65 or over.

Madison County is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners who are elected every two years with staggered four year terms as proscribed by North Carolina state law. The Board selects its own chairman and holds scheduled meetings on the second Monday of each month.^[14] Madison County is a member of the Land-of-Sky Regional Council of governments.^[15]

The Madison County Sheriff's Office protects the court, manages the jail, protects county owned facilities, and provides patrol and detective services for the unincorporated areas of the county. The towns of Mars Hill, Hot Springs, and Marshall have municipal police departments.

In Madison County, Republicans dominate by wide margins in national and state elections, though Democrats remain competitive in county and municipal elections.^[16][17]

Madison County's public educational system consists of one early college high school, one traditional high school (Madison High School, located in the county seat of Marshall), one middle school (Madison Middle School), and three elementary schools (Brush Creek Elementary, Hot Springs Elementary, and Mars Hill Elementary).^[19] Brush Creek Elementary was built as a merger of Marshall Elementary and Walnut Elementary after the latter burned down in 1998.

The county is also home to Mars Hill University, a private, coed, four-year liberal-arts university. Founded in 1856, Mars Hill is the oldest college or university in western North Carolina. The university offers 34 majors and seven degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Social Work, and Master of Education.

Madison County was historically a center for old-time folk music. Among others, the folk song Rain and Snow likely originated there, in the late 19th century.^[20]

• Hot Springs
• Mars Hill (largest municipality)
• Marshall (county seat)

The county is divided into twelve townships that are both numbered and named:

Formerly there were sixteen townships, which were both numbered and named:

• List of counties in North Carolina
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Madison County, North Carolina

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Madison County, North Carolina.

• Geographic data related to Madison County, North Carolina at OpenStreetMap
• Official website
• NCGenWeb Madison County, genealogy resources for the county