8th most populous of 102
With 263,017 residents in 2024, Madison County ranks 8th by population among Illinois's 102 counties and is home to 2.1% of the state's residents.
Madison County is home to 263,017 people (2024 estimate) on 716 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
263,017
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
265,972
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−1.1%
2020–2024
Land area
716 mi²
1,853 km²
Population density
367.6 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
2,198
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
3,040
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
−842
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+419
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$62,684
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$16.6 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$75,793
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
11.1%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
31.0%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
2.2%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$173,000
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
4.3%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024263,017▲ 1%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 263,017 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 269,282 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 259,204 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +1.5% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +312 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | +107 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 8.4 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 11.6 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Illinois | 8th of 102 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $62,684 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $16.6 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $75,793 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 11.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 31.0% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $173,000 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,024/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 40.2 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 110,134 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Madison County in context
Comparable indicators for Madison County, Illinois and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Illinois | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −1.1% | −0.9% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 8.4 | 9.9 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 11.6 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 1.6 | 4.5 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 367.6 | 229.0 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $62,684 | $74,522 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $75,793 | $83,390 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 11.1% | 11.8% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 31.0% | 37.8% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.2% | 14.7% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $173,000 | $263,300 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,024/month | $1,274/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 40.2 years | 39.0 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.2% | 67.1% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Did you know? Madison County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 259,204 in 2000 to 263,017 in 2024, a change of +1.5%, compared with +2.2% for Illinois as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 2,198 births and 3,040 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 842.
Peak population in 2010
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 269,315 in 2010. The 2024 figure is 6,298 lower.
10th in density
Madison County has about 367.6 residents per square mile of land, ranking 10th of 102 counties; Illinois averages 229.0.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $75,793 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 23rd of 102 Illinois counties; the state median is $83,390.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $16.6 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 9th largest among 102 Illinois counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 8.3% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS