Madison County

History

Madison County was created on January 26, 1856 and organized on January 21, 1868.

Madison County was likely named for Madison, Wisconsin, which is where many of the county's residents came from; the city was named for James Madison, fourth President of the United States.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 575.451 square miles (1,490.41 km2), of which 572.612 square miles (1,483.06 km2) is land and 2.839 square miles (7.35 km2) (0.49%) is water. It is the 53rd-largest county in Nebraska by total area.

The terrain in Madison County consists of gently rolling terrain, sloped to the east-southeast, largely devoted to agriculture. The Elkhorn River runs eastward across the upper central portion of the county.

Major highways

U.S. Highway 81

U.S. Highway 275

Nebraska Highway 24

Nebraska Highway 32

Nebraska Highway 35

Nebraska Highway 45

Nebraska Highway 121

Transit

Express Arrow

Adjacent counties

Wayne County – northeast

Stanton County – east

Platte County – south

Boone County – southwest

Antelope County – northwest

Pierce County – north

Protected areas

Oak Valley State Wildlife Management Area

Yellowbanks State Wildlife Management Area

Demographics

As of the third quarter of 2025, the median home value in Madison County was $218,668.

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 14,462 estimated households in Madison County with an average of 2.39 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $63,128. Approximately 13.1% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Madison County has an estimated 65.3% employment rate, with 23.7% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 91.1% holding a high school diploma. There were 15,510 housing units at an average density of 27.09 per square mile (10.5/km2).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (87.1%), Spanish (10.9%), Indo-European (0.9%), Asian and Pacific Islander (1.0%), and Other (0.1%).

The median age in the county was 37.4 years.

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 35,579 people, 14,462 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 62.13 inhabitants per square mile (24.0/km2). There were 15,510 housing units at an average density of 27.09 per square mile (10.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.5% White (76.9% NH White), 1.9% African American, 2.5% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 17.2% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 35,585 people, 14,024 households, and 8,915 families residing in the county. The population density was 62.15 inhabitants per square mile (24.0/km2). There were 15,094 housing units at an average density of 26.36 per square mile (10.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 81.21% White, 1.16% African American, 1.50% Native American, 1.26% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 7.21% from some other races and 7.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 15.50% of the population.

The median age was 37.4 years. 24.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.0 males age 18 and over.

72.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 27.4% lived in rural areas.

There were 14,024 households in the county, of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 15,094 housing units, of which 7.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 66.0% were owner-occupied and 34.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.9%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 34,876 people, 13,939 households, and 9,168 families residing in the county. The population density was 60.91 inhabitants per square mile (23.5/km2). There were 13,939 housing units at an average density of 24.34 per square mile (9.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.18% White, 1.27% African American, 1.15% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 7.13% from some other races and 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 12.91% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 35,226 people, 13,436 households, and 8,894 families residing in the county. The population density was 61.52 inhabitants per square mile (23.8/km2). There were 14,432 housing units at an average density of 25.20 per square mile (9.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.35% White, 0.94% African American, 1.19% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 5.06% from some other races and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 8.64% of the population.

There were 13,436 households, out of which 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.80% were non-families. 27.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.12.

The county population contained 26.80% under the age of 18, 11.60% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 20.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,807, and the median income for a family was $45,073. Males had a median income of $30,631 versus $21,343 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,804. About 7.50% of families and 11.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.00% of those under age 18 and 11.50% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Village

Meadow Grove

Politics

Madison County voters have been strongly Republican for many decades, voting for the Republican candidate in every presidential election except for three from 1880 onward. In addition, no Democratic presidential candidate has won the county since 1936.

In popular culture

The 2013 film Nebraska is set mostly in Madison County, in the fictional town of Hawthorne. Some of the filming was done in Madison and Norfolk.

Education

School districts include:

Battle Creek Public Schools #5, Battle Creek

Elkhorn Valley Schools #80, Tilden

Humphrey Public Schools #67, Humphrey

Madison Public Schools #1, Madison

Newman Grove Public Schools #13, Newman Grove

Norfolk Public Schools #2, Norfolk