Madison County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 38°50′N 89°55′W / 38.83°N 89.91°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Illinois |
Founded | September 14, 1812 |
Named for | James Madison |
Seat | Edwardsville |
Largest city | Granite City |
Area | |
• Total | 741 sq mi (1,920 km2) |
• Land | 716 sq mi (1,850 km2) |
• Water | 25 sq mi (60 km2) 3.4% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 264,776 |
• Estimate (2023) | 262,752 |
• Density | 360/sq mi (140/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional districts | 13th, 15th |
Website | www |
Madison County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is a part of the Metro East in southern Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 264,776,[1] making it the eighth-most populous county in Illinois and the most populous in the southern portion of the state. The county seat is Edwardsville, and the largest city is Granite City.[2]
Madison County is part of the Metro East region of Greater St. Louis. The pre-Columbian city of Cahokia Mounds, a World Heritage Site, was located near Collinsville. Edwardsville is home to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. To the north, Alton is known for its abolitionist and American Civil War-era history. It is also the home of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. Godfrey, the village named for Captain Benjamin Godfrey, offers Lewis and Clark Community College formerly the Monticello Female Seminary.