Madison County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Madison County, North Carolina, had a population of approximately 21,193. The racial composition was about 95.1% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up about 3.1% of the population. The median household income was roughly $45,977, and 14.8% of the population lived below the poverty line. The county has a median age of around 45 years.

As of 2023, Madison County, NC, has a median home value of approximately $250,000. The housing market has seen a year-over-year increase of around 7%. Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is about $1,200 per month. The county has a homeownership rate of 73%, with around 27% of residents renting. The vacancy rate stands at roughly 12%. Supply remains tight with limited new construction, contributing to rising prices.

As of the latest update in 2023, Madison County, NC, conducts elections for various local, state, and federal positions. Here are some details:

1. Board of County Commissioners: 5 seats.

   • Current commissioners (may change with elections): Matthews Wechtel, Wayne Brigman, Michael Garrison, Mark Snelson, Norris Gentry.

2. Sheriff: Buddy Harwood.

3. Board of Education: 5 seats, staggered terms.

Elections occur in even-numbered years; general elections take place in November. In recent elections, voter turnout ranged from 50-70%.

Notable 2022 County Election Results:

• County Commissioner: Top candidates included Wayne Brigman (D) 28.7%, Matthews Wechtel (R) 32.1%, Michael Garrison (R) 29.5%.
• Sheriff: Buddy Harwood (D) received 71.2% of the vote against independent candidates.

For more precise and current information, visit Madison County's official website or contact the Board of Elections directly.

Madison County, NC, has a high school graduation rate of approximately 85%, slightly below the national average of around 88% and the North Carolina state average of 87%. Approximately 21% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of about 33% and the state average of 31%. The county has a public school system, Madison County Schools, serving around 2,500 students across its various elementary, middle, and high schools. Additionally, Madison County is home to Mars Hill University, a private liberal arts institution, which contributes to higher education in the area. Overall, Madison County's educational attainment is somewhat lower than both national and state averages, particularly in higher education levels.

As of recent data, Madison County, NC has an employment rate of approximately 56%. The top industries in the county include Education Services (21.8%), Retail Trade (12.6%), and Healthcare & Social Assistance (12.1%).

Comparatively:

• Nationally, Education Services account for about 9%, significantly lower than in Madison County.
• Retail Trade is around 11% nationwide, close to Madison County’s figure.
• Healthcare & Social Assistance represents roughly 13% in the U.S., similar to Madison County’s percentage.

For North Carolina, Education Services make up 8.6%, Retail Trade stands at 12.2%, and Healthcare & Social Assistance is at 14.5%. Madison County surpasses the state average in Education Services but has similar figures for Retail Trade and slightly lower for Healthcare & Social Assistance. The employment landscape highlights a strong focus on education in Madison County compared to both state and national levels.

As of recent data, the median household income in Madison County, NC is approximately $45,000. This figure is lower than both the national and state averages. For comparison, the median household income in the United States is about $68,700, while in North Carolina, it stands at roughly $54,600.

Below is a statistics table for quick reference:

This data highlights the disparity between Madison County and broader income trends at the state and national levels.

As of the most recent data available, Madison County, NC, has a relatively low crime rate compared to state and national averages. The overall crime rate in Madison County is approximately 1,136 incidents per 100,000 people annually. The breakdown of specific types of crimes is as follows:

These figures reflect that property crimes are more prevalent than violent crimes, with larceny-theft being the most common offense. Due to its relatively small population, Madison County's crime rate data should be interpreted with caution, as small changes in incident numbers can significantly affect rates.