Madison, Florida

Madison is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, on the central northern border of Florida, United States. The population was 2,912 at the 2020 census. History The territory now known as Madison County was ruled at various times by Spain and The United States of America. This area was developed for cotton plantations dependent on the labor of enslaved African Americans. After the Civil War and emancipation, many freedmen and their descendants stayed in the region, working as sharecroppers or tenant farmers. Racial violence of whites against blacks increased after the Reconstruction era, reaching a peak near the turn of the 20th century. The following African Americans were lynched in Madison: Randall Coleman on October 15, 1868, Charles Savage and Howard James on August 25, 1882, Charles Martin, 1 February 1899; both James Denson and his stepson, 7 January 1901; and an unidentified man, 9 February 1906. This was also the home of Colin Kelly, World War II hero who was the first American B-17 to be shot down in combat on December 10, 1941, the city of four freedoms is the reference to the four freedoms speech given by FDR in 1941 Geography Madison is located slightly east of the center of Madison County. U.S. Route 90 passes through the center of town, leading west 56 miles (90 km) to Tallahassee, the state capital, and southeast 52 miles (84 km) to Lake City. Interstate 10 passes 4 miles (6 km) to the south of Madison with access from exits 251 and 258. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2), of which 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2), or 1.93%, are water. Climate The climate for the City of Madison is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Madison has a humid subtropical climate zone, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. Demographics Racial and ethnic composition 2020 census As of the 2020 census, Madison had a population of 2,912. The median age was 36.1 years. 26.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 81.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 74.8 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas. There were 1,200 households in Madison, of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 25.7% were married-couple households, 19.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 51.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 37.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 1,452 housing units, of which 17.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.2%. Demographic estimates The Census Bureau's 2020 American Community Survey 5-year estimates reported 556 families residing in the city. 2010 census As of the 2010 United States census, there were 2,843 people, 1,237 households, and 696 families residing in the city. 2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 3,061 people, 1,227 households, and 764 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,209.7 inhabitants per square mile (467.1/km2). There were 1,395 housing units at an average density of 551.3 per square mile (212.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 35.74% White, 62.43% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.16% of the population. In 2000, there were 1,227 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.6% were married couples living together, 27.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.13. In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 29.1% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.6 males. In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $17,656, and the median income for a family was $22,988. Males had a median income of $24,101 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,041. About 37.0% of families and 39.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.2% of those under age 18 and 28.9% of those age 65 or over. Government Madison has the city manager-council form of government. City commissioners are elected from districts and serve for four years. The commission appoints the city manager and city clerk; a mayor-commissioner serves a one-year term. The City of Madison has a 14 officer police department, and a 9 firefighter fire department. The 2008–2009 millage rate is 6.0484. The General Fund Budget is $7,344,592. Emphasis is placed on public safety, primarily expanding the Fire Department full-time personnel to implement a 24/48 hour, 3 shift coverage. In addition, the city plans to address abandoned and rundown property issues. Education Madison is served by two campuses of the District School Board of Madison County, Madison County Central School (PK–8) and Madison County High School. Two high performing charter schools are available and are as follows: Madison Creative Arts Academy (K-8) mcaa.academy James Madison Preparatory High School (9-12) jmphs.org North Florida College provides post-secondary instruction for six counties (Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor). In addition, St. Leo University provides university instruction at the junior-senior level. Media Area newspapers published by Greene Publishing are Madison County Carrier and The Madison Enterprise Recorder. Transportation Madison is served by Madison Shuttle, a bus route operated by Big Bend Transit. Freight service is provided by the Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad, which acquired most of the former CSX main line from Pensacola to Jacksonville on June 1, 2019. It used to have an Amtrak Station as part of the Sunset Limited Notable people LeGarrette Blount, NFL running back Lorenzo Cain, MLB player Geno Hayes, NFL linebacker Colin Kelly, World War II hero who was the first American B-17 to be shot down in combat on December 10,1941 Scott Kelly, politician Jacobbi McDaniel, NFL defensive tackle Scott Phillips, drummer for the band Creed Jesse Solomon, NFL linebacker Ernest Thomas, one of the Groveland Four, killed by a sheriff's posse in 1949, exonerated in 2021 Chris Thompson, NFL running back Don Williams, NASCAR stock car driver References External links Official website Greater Madison County Chamber of Commerce Madison County, Florida Archived December 17, 2014, at the Wayback Machine tourism site Madison Enterprise-Recorder newspaper that serves Madison, Florida is available in full-text with images in Florida Digital Newspaper Library