Madison County, Virginia

Infobox U.S. County
county = Madison County
state = Virginia




map size = 225
founded = 1792
seat = Madison | area_total_sq_mi =322
area_water_sq_mi =0
area percentage = 0.11%
census yr = 2000
pop = 12520
density_km2 =15
web = www.madison-va.com
|

Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state — officially, "Commonwealth" — of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 12,520. Its county seat is MadisonGR|6.

History

Madison County was established in December 1792. The county is named for the Madison family that owned land along the Rapidan River. President James Madison is a descendant of that family.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 322 square miles (833 km²), of which, 321 square miles (832 km²) of it is land and 0 square miles (1 km²) of it (0.11%) is water.

A significant portion of western Madison County is within Shenandoah National Park, including Old Rag, one of its most popular tourist destinations, and Rapidan Camp, the presidential retreat built by Herbert Hoover.

Adjacent counties

* Page County, Virginia - northwest
* Rappahannock County, Virginia - north
* Culpeper County, Virginia - east
* Orange County, Virginia - southeast
* Greene County, Virginia - southwest

National protected area

* Shenandoah National Park (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 12,520 people, 4,739 households, and 3,521 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 5,239 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.71% White, 11.41% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,739 households out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 21.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.10% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 26.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males. There are more cows in Madison County than people.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,856, and the median income for a family was $44,857. Males had a median income of $30,805 versus $24,384 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,636. About 6.90% of families and 9.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.70% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.

chools

Madison County Public Schools has around 2000 students in four schools. Madison Primary School has grades K-2 and has around 370 students. Waverly Yowell Elementary School has grades 3-5 and around 410 students. William Wetsel Middle School has grades 6-8 and around 415 students. Madison County High School has grades 9-12 and has around 665 students. All statistics based on 2007-2008 VA DOE statistics.

Madison County High School

Madison County High School is the county's only High School. Grades 9-12 attend MCHS bringing the total number of students to around 665. Madison County's nickname is the Mountaineers and have two main logos. One is a inked drawing of a Mountaineer standing on a mountain. In the background, a caravan of people and covered wagons can be seen being led by the Mountaineer. The second main logo is a "M" with a "C" offset and connected to it standing for Madison County, the name of both the county and high school. The colors are blue and white. MCHS fields athletic teams in football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, wrestling, track, cross country, golf, baseball and softball. Cheerleading teams are also fielded for football and basketball games.

MCHS also excels at academics. MCHS has won the Wachovia Cup for academic excellence 13 times over the last 14 years. MCHS is known for its award winning forensics team and band. Forensics, along with the MAHI, the yearbook, which is produced each year, is accounted for in the Wachovia Cup, as well as the newspaper, literary magazine, theatre presentations, scholastic bowl competitions, and creative writing samples. MCHS also offers AP courses and Dual Enrollment courses through Germanna Community College. MCHS has full accreditation from the Virginia Department of Education with Virginia Standards of Learning passing rates ranging from 94 percent on the history to 86 percent on the science. MCHS also graduates more than 90% of its students in one year.

Communities

Town

*Madison

Unincorporated community

*Syria

References

External links

* [http://www.madisonco.virginia.gov/ Official Madison County Website]
* [http://www.onlinegis.net/VAMadison/ Official Madison County Map]
* [http://www.madison-va.com/ Madison County Chamber of Commerce]