Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,521.[1] The county seat is Huntsville.[2] The county was formed on September 30, 1836, and named for Madison County, Alabama, the home of some early settlers. They also named the county seat after Madison County in Alabama's county seat, Huntsville.[3] Madison County is part of the Northwest Arkansas region.
Madison County | |
|---|---|
    Clockwise from top: A rural scene in Madison County near Forum, Madison County Courthouse in Huntsville, War Eagle Creek Bridge, Kings River Falls and swimming hole at the Kings River Falls Natural Area | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas | |
 Arkansas's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 36°01′38″N 93°41′45″W / 36.027222222222°N 93.695833333333°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| Founded | September 30, 1836 |
| Named for | Madison County, Alabama |
| Seat | Huntsville |
| Largest city | Huntsville |
| Area | |
• Total | 837 sq mi (2,170 km2) |
| • Land | 834 sq mi (2,160 km2) |
| • Water | 2.8 sq mi (7 km2) 0.3% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 16,521 |
• Estimate (2023) | 17,775  |
| • Density | 20/sq mi (7.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | madisoncogov |
Geography
editAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 837 square miles (2,170 km2), of which 834 square miles (2,160 km2) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2) (0.3%) is water.[4]
Adjacent counties
edit- Carroll County (north)
- Newton County (east)
- Johnson County (southeast)
- Franklin County (south)
- Crawford County (southwest)
- Washington County (west)
- Benton County (northwest)
National protected area
edit- Ozark National Forest (part)
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 2,775 | — | |
| 1850 | 4,823 | 73.8% | |
| 1860 | 7,740 | 60.5% | |
| 1870 | 8,231 | 6.3% | |
| 1880 | 11,455 | 39.2% | |
| 1890 | 17,402 | 51.9% | |
| 1900 | 19,864 | 14.1% | |
| 1910 | 16,056 | −19.2% | |
| 1920 | 14,918 | −7.1% | |
| 1930 | 13,334 | −10.6% | |
| 1940 | 14,531 | 9.0% | |
| 1950 | 11,734 | −19.2% | |
| 1960 | 9,068 | −22.7% | |
| 1970 | 9,453 | 4.2% | |
| 1980 | 11,373 | 20.3% | |
| 1990 | 11,618 | 2.2% | |
| 2000 | 14,243 | 22.6% | |
| 2010 | 15,717 | 10.3% | |
| 2020 | 16,521 | 5.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 17,775 | [5] | 7.6% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8] 1990–2000[9] 2010[10] | |||
2020 census
edit| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 14,075 | 85.19% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 36 | 0.22% |
| Native American | 205 | 1.24% |
| Asian | 102 | 0.62% |
| Pacific Islander | 238 | 1.44% |
| Other/Mixed | 975 | 5.9% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 890 | 5.39% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,521 people, 6,279 households, and 4,318 families residing in the county.
2000 census
editAs of the 2000 census,[13] there were 14,243 people, 5,463 households, and 4,080 families residing in the county. The population density was 7/km2 (18/sq mi). There were 6,537 housing units at an average density of 3/km2 (7.8/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 95.94% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 1.22% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.47% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. 3.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,463 households, out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.00% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.30% were non-families. 22.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.80% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,895, and the median income for a family was $32,910. Males had a median income of $24,911 versus $18,786 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,736. About 14.70% of families and 18.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.60% of those under age 18 and 18.00% of those age 65 or over.
Government
editDuring the Secession Convention of 1861, Arkansas voted to leave the Union and join the Confederate States of America. When Chairman David Walker called for a second vote seeking a unanimous decision, only Madison County representative Isaac Murphy refused to change his vote.[14] Murphy would later be appointed Governor of Arkansas during Reconstruction under Abraham Lincoln's conciliatory policy.
Madison County is strongly Republican, and voted for the Republican candidate several times even when Arkansas was part of the "Solid South". A Democrat has carried the county only four times since 1940.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 5,658 | 76.97% | 1,563 | 21.26% | 130 | 1.77% |
| 2016 | 4,928 | 72.04% | 1,588 | 23.21% | 325 | 4.75% |
| 2012 | 4,263 | 64.91% | 2,099 | 31.96% | 206 | 3.14% |
| 2008 | 3,972 | 62.77% | 2,144 | 33.88% | 212 | 3.35% |
| 2004 | 3,873 | 60.67% | 2,421 | 37.92% | 90 | 1.41% |
| 2000 | 3,387 | 60.18% | 2,055 | 36.51% | 186 | 3.30% |
| 1996 | 2,303 | 43.01% | 2,504 | 46.76% | 548 | 10.23% |
| 1992 | 2,238 | 42.41% | 2,415 | 45.76% | 624 | 11.82% |
| 1988 | 3,067 | 58.72% | 2,106 | 40.32% | 50 | 0.96% |
| 1984 | 3,516 | 61.65% | 2,133 | 37.40% | 54 | 0.95% |
| 1980 | 3,180 | 54.50% | 2,434 | 41.71% | 221 | 3.79% |
| 1976 | 2,502 | 46.09% | 2,926 | 53.91% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1972 | 3,372 | 64.09% | 1,889 | 35.91% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 2,320 | 47.14% | 1,574 | 31.98% | 1,028 | 20.89% |
| 1964 | 1,997 | 42.26% | 2,715 | 57.45% | 14 | 0.30% |
| 1960 | 2,445 | 58.20% | 1,702 | 40.51% | 54 | 1.29% |
| 1956 | 2,525 | 53.54% | 2,186 | 46.35% | 5 | 0.11% |
| 1952 | 2,868 | 57.51% | 2,110 | 42.31% | 9 | 0.18% |
| 1948 | 2,201 | 51.22% | 2,041 | 47.50% | 55 | 1.28% |
| 1944 | 2,120 | 54.25% | 1,788 | 45.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 2,107 | 48.91% | 2,196 | 50.97% | 5 | 0.12% |
| 1936 | 1,484 | 46.86% | 1,679 | 53.02% | 4 | 0.13% |
| 1932 | 2,197 | 43.12% | 2,803 | 55.01% | 95 | 1.86% |
| 1928 | 2,760 | 61.33% | 1,717 | 38.16% | 23 | 0.51% |
| 1924 | 1,263 | 46.85% | 1,335 | 49.52% | 98 | 3.64% |
| 1920 | 1,715 | 53.10% | 1,463 | 45.29% | 52 | 1.61% |
| 1916 | 1,332 | 47.78% | 1,456 | 52.22% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1912 | 786 | 38.91% | 932 | 46.14% | 302 | 14.95% |
| 1908 | 1,541 | 50.28% | 1,441 | 47.01% | 83 | 2.71% |
| 1904 | 1,160 | 50.94% | 1,072 | 47.08% | 45 | 1.98% |
| 1900 | 1,289 | 46.52% | 1,475 | 53.23% | 7 | 0.25% |
| 1896 | 1,260 | 42.25% | 1,689 | 56.64% | 33 | 1.11% |
Transportation
editMajor highways
edit
Airport
editThe Huntsville Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located two nautical miles (4 km) southwest of the central business district of Huntsville.[16]
Communities
editCity
edit- Huntsville (county seat)
Towns
editUnincorporated communities
editTownships
edit
Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries. Arkansas townships have limited purposes in modern times. However, the United States census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "minor civil divisions"). Townships are also of value for historical purposes in terms of genealogical research. Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps and publications. The townships of Madison County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [17][18]
Notable residents
edit- Orval E. Faubus (1910–1994), governor of Arkansas during the desegregation days, was from the Combs community near Huntsville. He is buried in Combs Cemetery.[19]
- Ronnie Hawkins, rockabilly singer. His backing band, The Hawks, later played with Bob Dylan and eventually became The Band.
- Danny L. Patrick, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Madison and Carroll counties from 1967 to 1970.[20]
- John Selman, outlaw and lawman, best known for killing John Wesley Hardin in 1895, was born in Madison County.
- Charles Whorton Jr., Democrat Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives 1991 to1998,[21] Madison County Judge 1973 to 1988,[22] Madison County Clerk 1955 to 1972
- George William Fullerton (1923-2009), He is credited with design contributions that led to the manufacture of the first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Madison County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Haden, Rebecca (February 5, 2019). "Madison County". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
- ^ Based on 2000 census data
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ^ The Edge of Conflict: Arkansas in the Civil War. PBS. 1995.
- ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
- ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for H34 PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective August 25, 2011.
- ^ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Madison County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
- ^ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
- ^ "Encyclopedia of Arkansas".
- ^ "Danny Lee Patrick", Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 29, 2009
- ^ "Representative Charles Whorton (Representative) - Arkansas State Legislature". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- ^ "Just Who is Judge Charles Whorton Jr". The Madison County Record. December 15, 1983. p. 19. Retrieved April 1, 2020.