Madison County, Nebraska

Madison County, Nebraska
County
The Madison County Courthouse in Madison
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Coordinates: 41°54′36″N 97°36′25″W / 41.90993°N 97.606856°W / 41.90993; -97.606856
Country United States
State Nebraska
FoundedJanuary 26, 1856 (created)
January 21, 1868 (organized)
Named afterJames Madison
SeatMadison
Largest cityNorfolk
Area
 • Total
575.451 sq mi (1,490.41 km2)
 • Land572.612 sq mi (1,483.06 km2)
 • Water2.839 sq mi (7.35 km2)  0.49%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
35,585
 • Estimate 
(2024)
35,579
 • Density62.145/sq mi (23.994/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code402 and 531
Congressional district1st
Websitemadisoncountyne.gov
• Nebraska county number 59[1]
• Nebraska license plate prefix 07[2]

Madison County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 35,585,[3] and was estimated to be 35,579 in 2024,[4] making it the eighth-most populous county in Nebraska. The county seat is Madison and the largest city is Norfolk.[5]

Madison County is part of the Norfolk, NE micropolitan area.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Madison County was represented by the prefix "7" (as it had the seventh-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History

Madison County was created on January 26, 1856 and organized on January 21, 1868.[6]

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.[7]

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.[8] It is the 53rd-largest county in Nebraska by total area.[9]

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.[10]

Major highways

Transit

  • Express Arrow

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

  • Oak Valley State Wildlife Management Area[11]
  • Yellowbanks State Wildlife Management Area[12]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18701,133—
18805,589393.3%
189013,669144.6%
190016,97624.2%
191019,10112.5%
192022,51117.9%
193026,03715.7%
194024,269−6.8%
195024,3380.3%
196025,1453.3%
197027,4029.0%
198031,38214.5%
199032,6554.1%
200035,2267.9%
201034,876−1.0%
202035,5852.0%
2024 (est.)35,579[13]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990–2000[17] 2010–2020[4]

As of the third quarter of 2025, the median home value in Madison County was $218,668.[18]

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.[4] 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.

Madison County, Nebraska – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[19] Pop. 1990[20] Pop. 2000[21] Pop. 2010[22] Pop. 2020[23]
White alone (NH) 30,934
(98.57%)		 31,524
(96.54%)		 31,122
(88.35%)		 29,062
(83.33%)		 27,823
(78.19%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 28
(0.09%)		 238
(0.73%)		 318
(0.90%)		 409
(1.17%)		 404
(1.14%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 179
(0.57%)		 233
(0.71%)		 370
(1.05%)		 337
(0.97%)		 366
(1.03%)
Asian alone (NH) 76
(0.24%)		 86
(0.26%)		 141
(0.40%)		 157
(0.45%)		 445
(1.25%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 8
(0.02%)		 10
(0.03%)		 7
(0.02%)
Other race alone (NH) 11
(0.04%)		 5
(0.02%)		 7
(0.02%)		 17
(0.05%)		 118
(0.33%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 218
(0.62%)		 380
(1.09%)		 908
(2.55%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 154
(0.49%)		 569
(1.74%)		 3,042
(8.64%)		 4,504
(12.91%)		 5,514
(15.50%)
Total 31,382
(100.00%)		 32,655
(100.00%)		 35,226
(100.00%)		 34,876
(100.00%)		 35,585
(100.00%)

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.[24] 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.[25]

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.[26]

72.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 27.4% lived in rural areas.[27]

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.[28] 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

Cities

Village

Unincorporated communities

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.

Political Party Number of registered voters (March 1, 2026)[29] Percent
Republican 13,554 64.26%
Independent 3,817 18.10%
Democratic 3,310 15.69%
Libertarian 247 1.17%
Legal Marijuana Now 164 0.78%
Total 21,092 100.00%
United States presidential election results for Madison County, Nebraska[30]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1900 2,060 54.07% 1,690 44.36% 60 1.57%
1904 2,210 62.82% 1,049 29.82% 259 7.36%
1908 2,137 52.52% 1,878 46.15% 54 1.33%
1912 1,181 29.47% 1,718 42.87% 1,108 27.65%
1916 2,428 49.58% 2,358 48.15% 111 2.27%
1920 5,171 73.29% 1,716 24.32% 169 2.40%
1924 3,537 40.68% 1,959 22.53% 3,199 36.79%
1928 6,229 64.32% 3,407 35.18% 48 0.50%
1932 3,489 31.85% 7,366 67.24% 99 0.90%
1936 5,149 45.41% 6,044 53.30% 147 1.30%
1940 7,353 64.87% 3,982 35.13% 0 0.00%
1944 6,892 67.14% 3,373 32.86% 0 0.00%
1948 5,486 62.41% 3,304 37.59% 0 0.00%
1952 8,294 76.21% 2,589 23.79% 0 0.00%
1956 7,968 72.99% 2,949 27.01% 0 0.00%
1960 8,350 73.25% 3,050 26.75% 0 0.00%
1964 6,155 56.91% 4,661 43.09% 0 0.00%
1968 7,066 70.35% 2,364 23.54% 614 6.11%
1972 8,580 79.42% 2,224 20.58% 0 0.00%
1976 7,846 68.49% 3,433 29.97% 176 1.54%
1980 9,718 78.82% 1,926 15.62% 685 5.56%
1984 9,790 84.48% 1,757 15.16% 42 0.36%
1988 9,137 76.30% 2,779 23.21% 59 0.49%
1992 7,877 57.10% 2,364 17.14% 3,555 25.77%
1996 7,965 62.97% 3,047 24.09% 1,637 12.94%
2000 9,636 74.97% 2,772 21.57% 445 3.46%
2004 10,981 77.94% 2,934 20.82% 174 1.24%
2008 9,655 68.74% 4,142 29.49% 248 1.77%
2012 10,062 72.47% 3,485 25.10% 338 2.43%
2016 10,628 74.10% 2,711 18.90% 1,004 7.00%
2020 11,940 75.48% 3,478 21.99% 401 2.53%
2024 12,145 77.13% 3,360 21.34% 242 1.54%

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:[31]

  • 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

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nebraska County Names and Numbers" (PDF). Nebraska Department of Revenue. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  2. ^ "Nebraska County Codes". 15 Q Net. November 17, 2002. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  3. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Madison County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  6. ^ "Nebraska: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  7. ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Co. (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 162.
  8. ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Madison County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  10. ^ "Madison County, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  11. ^ "Oak Valley State Wildlife Management Area". Google Maps. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  12. ^ "Yellowbanks State Wildlife Management Area, Meadow Grove, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  13. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  14. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  15. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  16. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  17. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  18. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  19. ^ "Madison County, Nebraska — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  20. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Nebraska" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  21. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Madison County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  22. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Madison County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  23. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Madison County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  24. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  25. ^ "How many people live in Madison County, Nebraska". USA Today. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  26. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  27. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  28. ^ "Nebraska: 2010 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. December 2012. p. 280 of 385. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  29. ^ "Voter Statistics Count Report" (PDF). nebraska.gov. Secretary of State of Nebraska. March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  30. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  31. ^ 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Madison County, NE (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. January 14, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2026. - Text list
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