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Madison, Alabama

Coordinates: 34°42′40″N 86°43′52″W / 34.71111°N 86.73111°W / 34.71111; -86.73111
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Madison, Alabama
City
The Madison Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 29, 2006.
The Madison Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 29, 2006.
Official seal of Madison, Alabama
Seal
Official logo of Madison, Alabama
Logo
Motto(s): 
Play hard, learn well & live richly
Map
Interactive map of Madison, Alabama
Coordinates: 34°42′40″N 86°43′52″W / 34.71111°N 86.73111°W / 34.71111; -86.73111
CountryUnited States
StateAlabama
CountiesMadison, Limestone
Founded1818
IncorporatedDecember 2, 1869[1]
Government
 • MayorPaul Finley
Area
[2]
 • City30.694 sq mi (79.497 km2)
 • Land30.563 sq mi (79.159 km2)
 • Water0.131 sq mi (0.339 km2)
Elevation
[3]
686 ft (209 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • City56,933
 • Estimate 
(2023)[5]
60,854
 • RankUS: 649th
AL: 9th
 • Density1,968/sq mi (760.0/km2)
 • Urban
329,066 (US: 122nd)
 • Urban density1,532/sq mi (591.6/km2)
 • Metro
514,465 (US: 109th)
 • Metro density378/sq mi (145.9/km2)
 • Combined
879,315 (US: 68th)
 • Combined density255.3/sq mi (98.57/km2)
Time zoneUTC–6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
35756, 35757, 35758
Area code(s)256 and 938
FIPS code01-45784
GNIS feature ID2404989[3]
Websitemadisonal.gov

Madison is a city located primarily in Madison County, near the northern border of the U.S. state of Alabama. Madison extends west into neighboring Limestone County. The city is included in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area, the second-largest in the state, and is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. The population was 56,933 at the 2020 census.[4] Madison is bordered by Huntsville on nearly all sides with some small unincorporated lands within Madison in Madison and Limestone counties.

Madison was mostly a small city for many years, with its population being around 400-500 for much of its history until the Redstone Arsenal was established to the southeast, which attracted many people to the area for jobs. This rapidly increased the city's population and stimulated economic growth. Many of Madison's residents work in Research Park or the Redstone Arsenal. Madison has been one of the fastest-growing cities in Alabama, as well as one of the wealthiest in the state.[citation needed] In 2022 census estimates, Madison was the 9th largest city in Alabama, The 8th densest city in Alabama, and the second largest city in North Alabama After Huntsville.[6]

History

[edit]
Southern Railroad Depot, Madison

The area was occupied historically by the Koasati (also known as Coushatta), a Muskogean-speaking people. Before them were thousands of years of indigenous cultures.

Madison's first European-American resident was John Cartwright, who settled in the area in 1818. The city was originally known as "Madison Station", as it developed in the 1850s around a stop of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad. Textile mills were built in the area in the late 19th century for processing and manufacture of cotton products.

Madison was the site of a battle in the American Civil War. On May 17, 1864, Col. Josiah Patterson's 5th Alabama Cavalry, supported by Col. James H. Stuart's cavalry battalion and a section of horse artillery, drove Col. Adam G. Gorgas's 13th Illinois Infantry Regiment from the city. Patterson's men captured the 13th Illinois Regiment's wagon train, taking 66 prisoners. They also burned Union supplies and tore up the railroad tracks before retreating. Portions of the 5th Ohio Cavalry, the 59th Indiana Infantry, and the 5th Iowa Infantry were sent in pursuit from Huntsville. They skirmished with Patterson's rear guard that evening at Fletcher's Ferry on the Tennessee River south of Madison.

The town was incorporated on December 2, 1869.[7] From 1880 to 1950, rural Madison had a population of some 400-500 residents.

In World War II and the postwar period, military and NASA operations were moved to Huntsville, stimulating an increase in population in the region. Subsidized highways stimulated suburbanization, attracting residents to outlying areas where new homes were built. By 1980, Madison's population was 4,057. In the late 20th century, Madison's population increased rapidly as it developed as a suburb of Huntsville. In 1986, Madison voters overwhelmingly voted to remain independent by not merging with Huntsville.[8] By 2010, its population had grown to 42,938, and over the following ten years it grew to a population of 56,933.[9]

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.694 square miles (79.50 km2), of which 30.563 square miles (79.16 km2) is land and 0.131 square miles (0.34 km2), is water.[2]

Madison is located at 34°42′54″N 86°44′23″W / 34.71500°N 86.73972°W / 34.71500; -86.73972 (34.711236, -86.731024),[10] primarily within Madison County, while extending west into Limestone County. Downtown Huntsville is 11 miles (18 km) east of the center of Madison, although Huntsville also borders Madison to the south and west. Athens is 17 miles (27 km) to the northwest, and Decatur is 16 miles (26 km) to the southwest, across the Tennessee River.

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880410—
1900412—
19104263.4%
19204352.1%
1930431−0.9%
19404555.6%
195053016.5%
19601,435170.8%
19703,086115.1%
19804,05731.5%
199014,904267.4%
200029,32996.8%
201042,93846.4%
202056,93332.6%
2023 (est.)60,854[5]6.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[11][failed verification]
2020 Census[4]

2020 census

[edit]
Madison racial composition[12]
Race Number Percent
White (non-Hispanic) 37,194 65.33%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 8,367 14.7%
Native American 175 0.31%
Asian 4,426 7.77%
Pacific Islander 73 0.13%
Other/Mixed 3,410 5.99%
Hispanic or Latino 3,288 5.78%

As of the 2020 census, there were 56,933 people, 20,787 households, and 15,540 families residing in the city.[13] The population density was 1,875.1 inhabitants per square mile (724/km2) There were 21,980 housing units.

2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 42,938 people, 16,111 households and 11,770 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,450.9 inhabitants per square mile (560/km2). There were 17,203 housing units. The average household size was 2.65, while the average family size was 3.16. 30.8% of the population was age 19 or younger, 61.0% was 20–64, and 8.2% was 65 or older. The median age was 37.0 years. The population was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

The racial makeup of the city was 74.0% White, 14.6% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 7.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. 4.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the Madison Chamber of Commerce, Madison was the fastest-growing city in Alabama as of 2010.[14]

Economy

[edit]

Personal income

[edit]

The median income for a household in the city was $92,136, and the median income for a family was $111,217. The per capita income for the city was $41,490. About 3.9% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

Industry

[edit]

Madison's largest employer is Intergraph, a computer software company. It is a subsidiary of Hexagon, a Swedish software company that bought Intergraph in 2008 and invested in the city and area to improve it. Currently, they are working on a streetlight maintenance program for Madison. Thousands of Madison residents commute to jobs at Cummings Research Park and Redstone Arsenal in nearby Huntsville, about 12 miles away. The high-tech and academic positions in the area have attracted numerous highly educated, professional residents.

Education

[edit]

The Madison City School System, formed in 1998, serves over 10,000 students from the city of Madison and town of Triana.[15] It has consistently been rated as one of the best school systems in the state. The current superintendent is Dr. Ed Nichols. Nationally, it ranks in the top 5 best school systems.[citation needed]

The school system currently has seven elementary schools serving grades K-5 (Columbia Elementary School, Heritage Elementary School, Horizon Elementary School, Madison Elementary School, Mill Creek Elementary School, Rainbow Elementary School, and Midtown Elementary School), three middle schools serving grades 6-8 (Discovery Middle School, Journey Middle School, and Liberty Middle School), and two high schools serving grades 9-12 (Bob Jones High School and James Clemens High School). There was formerly an additional elementary school, West Madison Elementary; however, it is permanently closed and planned to be adapted as a pre-K center.[16] Madison Elementary, built about 1936, is the oldest school in the system while Journey is the newest, opening in 2023.

In 2019, Madison residents approved a voluntary property tax increase in order to fund school growth and expansion. These funds were used to build Midtown Elementary School (completed in 2020)[17] and were also used to construct Journey Middle School, opening for the 2023–2024 school year.[18]

Media

[edit]

The Madison Record[19] and the Madison County Record[20] have been newspapers for the city since 1967. The Madison Weekly News[21] was another local newspaper.

Infrastructure

[edit]

Roads

[edit]

Madison is served by Interstate 565, US 72 (University Drive), and Madison Boulevard (Alabama State Route 20, and Alt. US 72) and Gillespie Road, as main routes for east–west traffic. Slaughter Road, Hughes Road, Wall Triana Highway, and County Line Road serve as main north–south roads in the city.

Rail and airline

[edit]

The Norfolk Southern railway has the main line and a spur running through Madison. The Port of Huntsville, an intermodal center that includes Huntsville International Airport and a rail cargo center, is located just south of the city.

Transit

[edit]

Dial-a-ride transit service is provided by Transportation for Rural Areas of Madison County (TRAM).[22]

Culture and entertainment

[edit]
Palmer Park in Madison

Sports

[edit]

The Rocket City Trash Pandas (formerly Mobile BayBears) is a Double A Southern League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels that moved from Mobile, Alabama to Madison. The team was to begin play in Madison at Toyota Field beginning in April 2020,[23][24][25] but coronavirus concerns delayed the team's debut until May 11, 2021.

Parks and greenways

[edit]

The City of Madison has several greenways and parks within city limits.[26]

Madison is working with the nearby cities of Huntsville and Decatur to create a 70-mile bicycling and walking trail.[27][28]

Notable people

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Municipalities of Alabama Incorporation Dates" (PDF). Alabama League of Municipalities. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Madison, Alabama
  4. ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places of 20,000 or More, Ranked by July 1, 2023 Population: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". census.gov.
  6. ^ Carney, Kristen. "Alabama Cities by population 2024". Alabama Demographics.
  7. ^ "Madison". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  8. ^ Peck, John (July 31, 2011). "Huntsville annexations hem in Madison but both cities need to remain neighborly (editorial)". al. The Huntsville Times. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  9. ^ "Huntsville only steadily growing large city in Alabama | John Blue Realty". johnbluerealty.com. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  10. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  11. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  12. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  13. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  14. ^ "Madison Chamber of Commerce – Madison, AL". madisonalchamber.com. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  15. ^ Madison City Schools - About Us Archived March 10, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. madisoncity.k12.al.us
  16. ^ Parker, Gregg (June 2, 2021). "West Madison's legacy to thrive in memories of its friends". The Madison Record. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  17. ^ Torres-Perez, Alex (July 29, 2021). "New elementary school opening to help deal with Madison City Schools growth". Allen Media. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  18. ^ "Journey Middle School Groundbreaking". madisoncity.k12.al.us. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  19. ^ The Madison Record
  20. ^ Madison County Record
  21. ^ "Madison Weekly News". madisonweeklynews.com. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  22. ^ "TRAM". Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  23. ^ Gattis, Paul (August 1, 2019). "Trash Pandas release 2020 schedule, opening vs. Braves". AL.com. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  24. ^ "Rocket City Trash Pandas Schedule". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  25. ^ "Toyota Field Awarded Certificate of Occupancy". February 27, 2020.
  26. ^ "Greenways & Trails". City of Madison. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  27. ^ Petit, Rebecca (February 6, 2019). "Singing River Trail plans to connect three North Alabama counties". rocketcitynow.com. WZDX-DT FOX. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  28. ^ Singleterry, Sarah (February 5, 2019). "Singing River Trail gets positive community feedback". WAAY News. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  29. ^ "Board of Directors". Alabama Alliance for Arts Education. Archived from the original on February 8, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  30. ^ "Actor, dancer Robert Hoffman brings moves to Dance Trance". The Madison Record. January 11, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  31. ^ Alabama State Senate: Bill Holtzclaw Archived February 19, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  32. ^ District 2: Meet Bill and His Family
  33. ^ "Madison Academy grad Kerron Johnson leading Belmont into third straight NCAA tournament". Alabama Media Group. March 20, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  34. ^ Labbe, Bob (January 6, 2019). "NFL Hall Of Famer Walter Jones Claims Madison His "Second" Home". The Madison Record. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  35. ^ "Birmingham News Super Senior Reggie Ragland ready to roll with Tide". The Huntsville Times. August 17, 2011.
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