Madison County, Kentucky


Madison County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. At the 2020 census, its population was 92,701. Its county seat is Richmond. The county is named for Virginia statesman James Madison, who later became the fourth President of the United States.
The county is part of the Richmond-Berea, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area which is also included in the Lexington-Fayette–Richmond–Frankfort, KY combined statistical area.
Madison County was considered a moist county, meaning that although the county prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages, it contained a city where retail alcohol sales are allowed. Nevertheless, two of the county's 19 precincts are completely dry. Alcohol can also be sold by the drink in Berea, Richmond, and at Arlington and The Bull golf clubs. In 2023, the county voted to become wet.
Madison County is home to Eastern Kentucky University, Berea College, and historic Boone Tavern. Famous pioneer Daniel Boone lived in Madison County and built Fort Boonesborough, now a state historic site.
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History

Indian trader John Findley, Daniel Boone, and four others first came into the area that is now Madison County in 1769 on a hunting and exploring expedition. In 1774, the Transylvania Company, led by Judge Richard Henderson of North Carolina, purchased of land west of the Appalachians from the Cherokee Nation. Daniel Boone was hired to cut a trail through the Cumberland Gap and establish a settlement on the Kentucky River. The settlement at Fort Boonesborough began in April 1775.
In 1785, Madison County was established from a portion of Lincoln County, Virginia.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 92,701. The median age was 35.6 years. 20.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.5 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 86.9% White, 4.3% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.3% from some other race, and 6.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.3% of the population.
63.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 36.2% lived in rural areas.
There were 36,148 households in the county, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 39,319 housing units, of which 8.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 59.5% were owner-occupied and 40.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.0%.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 70,872 people, 27,152 households, and 18,218 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 29,595 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 93.01% White, 4.44% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.
There were 27,152 households, out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.10% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.90.
By age, 21.90% were under 18, 18.80% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 20.10% from 45 to 64, and 9.80% 65 or older. The median age was 31 years. Both the relatively large 18-to-24 population and the relatively low median age can be explained by the presence of Eastern Kentucky University, and to a considerably lesser extent Berea College. For every 100 females, there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,861, and the median income for a family was $41,383. Males had a median income of $31,974 versus $22,487 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,790. About 12.00% of families and 16.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.80% of those under age 18 and 17.10% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

The county voted "No" on 2022 Kentucky Amendment 2, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 52% to 48%, and backed Donald Trump with 62% of the vote to Joe Biden's 35% in the 2020 presidential election.

Local government

The Madison County courthouse is located at 135 W Irvine Street in Richmond.
County Judge-Executive: Reagan Taylor
County Clerk: Kenny Barger
Sheriff: Mike Coyle
Coroner: Jimmy Cornelison
Jailer: Steve Tussey
County Attorney: Jennie Haymond
Circuit Clerk: David M. Fernandez
County Property Valuation Administrator : Billy Ackerman
County Surveyor: Stuart W. Spencer

Education

Schools

Madison County is served by two school districts:
The county is also served by Model Laboratory School which is part of Eastern Kentucky University.

Colleges and universities

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Economy

Military

The Blue Grass Army Depot is located just south of Richmond.

Notable people

Sister communities