Madison County, Iowa

Major highways

• Interstate 80 (in the far northwestern corner of the county)
• U.S. Highway 6
• U.S. Highway 169
• Iowa Highway 92

Adjacent counties

• Dallas County (north)
• Warren County (east)
• Clarke County (southeast)
• Union County (southwest)
• Adair County (west)
• Polk County (northeast, meeting in a 4-corners)

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 16,548, which gave a population density of 29.4/sq mi (11.3/km²). The median age was 41.2 years; 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.1% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.5 males age 18 and over.^[14]

The racial makeup of the county was 95.99% reporting one race, with 94.3% White (92.42% non-Hispanic White), 0.3% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.9% of the population.^[15]

30.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 69.3% lived in rural areas.^[16]

There were 6,436 households in the county, of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 59.9% were married-couple households, 15.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 19.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[14]

There were 6,913 housing units, of which 6.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.0% were owner-occupied and 20.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.0%.^[14]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census recorded a population of 15,679 in the county, with a population density of 27.9/sq mi (10.8/km²). There were 6,554 housing units, of which 6,025 were occupied.^[17]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 14,019 people, 5,326 households, and 3,925 families in the county. The population density was 25 inhabitants per square mile (9.7/km²). There were 5,661 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (3.9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.57% White, 0.09% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 5,326 households 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.90% were married couples living together, 7.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.30% were non-families. 22.70% of households were one person and 11.70% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.04.

The age distribution was 27.10% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.

The median household income was $41,845 and the median family income was $48,289. Males had a median income of $31,126 versus $24,095 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,357. About 4.60% of families and 6.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.60% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.

Incorporated Communities

Unincorporated communities

• Barney
• Hanley
• Old Peru
• Pitzer
• Webster

Townships

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Madison County.^[2]

† county seat