Madison, Alabama

Southern Railroad Depot, Madison, Alabama

This area was occupied historically by the Koasati (also known as Coushatta), a Muskogean-speaking people and, before them, 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, and 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 of cotton.

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 in 1869.[5] From 1880 to 1950, rural Madison had a population of some 400-500 residents.

In the World War II and postwar period, military and NASA operations were moved to Huntsville, stimulating an increase in population in the region. Suburbanization drew 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.[6] By 2010 its population had grown to 42,938; the US Census estimated the city had 46,450 in 2014.[7]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.7 square miles (77.0 km²), of which 29.6 square miles (76.6 km²) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km²), or 0.45%, is water.[8]

Madison is located at 34°42′54″N 86°44′23″W (34.715065, -86.739644),[9] primarily within Madison County, while extending west into Limestone County.

As of the US Census of 2010, 42,938 people were residing in the city, an increase of 44.6% from the 29,329 residing there in 2000. The population consisted of 16,111 households and 11,770 families. 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.[12]

The Madison City School System, formed in 1998, serves over 10,000 students from the city of Madison and town of Triana.[13] It has consistently been rated as one of the best school systems in the state of Alabama. Nationally, it ranks in the top 5 best school systems. As of 2012, the school system 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 West Madison Elementary School), two middle schools serving grades 6-8 (Discovery Middle School, Liberty Middle School), and two high schools serving grades 9-12 (Bob Jones High School and James Clemens High School). Madison Elementary, built about 1936, is the oldest school in the system. In 2019, Madison residents approved a voluntary property tax increase in order to further fund school growth and expansion. As of 2020, these funds are being used to build another public elementary school and middle school. The 2 high schools will also receive expanded facilities added on in the near future.

Madison also has several private schools, including Madison Academy and St John the Baptist Catholic School.

The Madison Record[14] and the Madison County Record[15] have been newspapers for the city since 1967. The Madison Weekly News[16] was another local newspaper.

• Mike Ball, member of the Alabama House of Representatives[23]
• Noor Mohsin
• Kerron Johnson, professional basketball player[24]
• Walter Jones, former offensive lineman at Florida State and an all-pro at the Seattle Seahawks[25]
• Lewie Hardage American football player and coach, baseball coach
• Robert Hoffman, actor, dancer, and choreographer[26]
• Bill Holtzclaw, Republican member of the Alabama State Senate since 2006[27][28]
• Reggie Ragland, American football linebacker[29]
• Grant Dayton, Major League baseball pitcher
• Levi Randolph, professional basketball player
• Kerryon Johnson, professional football player for the Detroit Lions
• Chip Lindsey, college football coach for Troy University

• City of Madison official web site
• Madison Chamber of Commerce site
• Find More Madison site
• Recreation Trails in Madison County