County · Illinois
Madison County, Illinois
Madison County, Illinois. Madison County had 263,110 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.1% since 2020, in line with Illinois (−0.8%). It holds 56 places (29 cities, villages and boroughs, 22 towns and townships and 5 census-designated) and 63 census tracts. GEOID 17119.
Madison County is one of the 15 counties of the St. Louis, MO-IL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
263,110
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 265,859 · ACS 2020-2024: 264,238
Median household income
$75,793
±$1,799 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$173,000
±$2,415 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$1,024
±$23 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Madison County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 265,859 residents in Madison County. The Census Bureau estimates 263,110 for July 1, 2025, down 1.1% since 2020, in line with Illinois (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 264,238 over 716 square miles of land.
| Measure | Madison County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 264,238 | 12,694,798 | −538 |
| Households | 110,134±796 | 5,036,449 | +2,475 |
| Average household size | 2.35±0.02 | 2.46 | −0.06 |
| Housing units | 119,168±98 | 5,457,452 | no clear change |
Madison County's population since 2000
From 258,941 in 2000 to 263,110 in 2025: up 1.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Madison County?
Madison County holds 56 places: 29 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 22 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Edwardsville Township with 40,258 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Edwardsville Township | 40,585 | $92,712 |
|---|---|---|
| Collinsville Township | 35,636 | $77,785 |
| Wood River Township | 29,938 | $62,083 |
| Granite City | 27,549 | $59,205 |
| Edwardsville | 26,808 | $86,721 |
| Alton | 25,676 | $54,568 |
| Granite City Township | 25,038 | $58,559 |
| Collinsville | 24,366 | $67,612 |
| Godfrey | 17,825 | $94,543 |
| Jarvis Township | 15,779 | $118,443 |
| Glen Carbon | 13,842 | $97,168 |
| Nameoki Township | 12,104 | $65,176 |
| Troy | 10,960 | $112,434 |
| Wood River | 10,464 | $62,703 |
| Highland | 9,991 | $82,551 |
| Bethalto | 9,310 | $64,775 |
| Fort Russell Township | 9,282 | $73,179 |
| Helvetia Township | 8,329 | $84,590 |
| Maryville | 8,221 | $100,670 |
| Chouteau Township | 7,515 | $60,160 |
| Saline Township | 6,791 | $105,903 |
| Pontoon Beach | 5,876 | $62,861 |
| East Alton | 5,786 | $48,815 |
| Venice Township | 4,695 | $44,117 |
| Pin Oak Township | 4,512 | $168,822 |
| Rosewood Heights | 3,971 | $72,102 |
| Foster Township, Madison County | 3,862 | $110,625 |
| Moro Township | 3,506 | $100,243 |
| Madison | 3,171 | $49,326 |
| St. Jacob Township | 2,910 | $120,975 |
| Holiday ShoresGEOID 1735541 | 2,840 | $86,907 |
| Hamel Township | 2,751 | $124,643 |
| Omphghent Township | 2,447 | $83,984 |
| Marine Township | 2,247 | $98,194 |
| South Roxana | 1,891 | $60,214 |
| Olive Township | 1,696 | $71,844 |
| Alhambra Township | 1,618 | $94,271 |
| Venice | 1,498 | $32,066 |
| Roxana | 1,454 | $64,516 |
| St. Jacob | 1,358 | $112,188 |
| MitchellGEOID 1749698 | 1,217 | $60,450 |
| Hartford | 1,185 | $41,092 |
| Worden | 1,096 | $89,000 |
| Hamel | 929 | $109,464 |
| Marine | 912 | $76,544 |
| Livingston | 763 | $62,240 |
| Alhambra | 622 | $73,750 |
| Leef Township | 601 | $114,306 |
| New Douglas Township | 516 | $56,250 |
| MoroGEOID 1750452 | 397 | $133,462 |
| New Douglas | 350 | $50,000 |
| GrantforkGEOID 1730978 | 341 | $95,625 |
| Williamson | 183 | $57,841 |
| PrairietownGEOID 1761743 | 153 | $85,234 |
| Pierron | 459 | $66,875 |
| Fairmont City | 2,265 | $48,147 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Madison County?
The median resident of Madison County is 40.2 years old; 21.3% are under 18 and 18.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 7.7%. 2.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Madison County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.2±0.2 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.3%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.5%±0.1 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.3% | 18.8% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.8%±0.2 pts | 58.1% | −3.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.7%±0.4 pts | 13.3% | −0.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.1 pts | 5.9% | −0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.0%±0.5 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.2%±0.2 pts | 14.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.6%±0.3 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.2%±0.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 15.8%±0.7 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.7%±0.3 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.9%±0.5 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 31.0%±1.0 pts | 37.8% | +4.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.2%±0.6 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Madison County earn?
Half of Madison County's 110,134 households earn less than $75,793 a year (±$1,799), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $74,750 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Madison County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $75,793±$1,799 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $98,419±$2,156 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,560±$801 | $46,406 | +$1,652 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.1%±0.6 pts | 11.8% | −2.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.2%±1.7 pts | 15.1% | −4.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.7%±0.8 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.0%±0.7 pts | 90.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Madison County?
Owners occupy 74.2% of Madison County's occupied homes and renters 25.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $173,000 by its owner (±$2,415). The median renter pays $1,024 a month including utilities, and 37.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Madison County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $173,000±$2,415 | $263,300 | +$6,118 |
| Median gross rent | $1,024±$23 | $1,274 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.8%±2.6 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,511±$29 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.2%±1.1 pts | 67.1% | +2.8 pts |
| Housing units | 119,168±98 | 5,457,452 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.1%±1.0 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.9%±1.0 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.2%±0.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 14.6%±0.9 pts | 20.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Madison County building?
Builders took permits for 435 new housing units across Madison County in 2025 (323 single-family), 1.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Madison County get to work?
78.1% of Madison County's workers drive alone and 12.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.6%.
| Measure | Madison County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.7%±0.7 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6%±0.4 pts | 5.8% | −1.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.1%±1.3 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.6%±0.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.7%±0.8 pts | 15.9% | +8.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.9 min±0.5 | 27.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Madison County's census tracts?
Madison County is divided into 63 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $32,066 (Tract 4007) to $138,798 (Tract 4037.02).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Madison County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 8th of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 28th of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 10th of 102 |
| Median household income | 23rd of 102 |
| Median home value | 25th of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 16th of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 64th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19th of 102 |
| Median age | 78th of 102 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Madison County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.