Madison County, Kentucky

Madison County
Madison County Courthouse in Richmond
Map of Kentucky highlighting Madison County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Map of the United States highlighting Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°43′N 84°17′W / 37.72°N 84.28°W / 37.72; -84.28
Country United States
State Kentucky
FoundedDecember 15, 1785
Named forJames Madison
SeatRichmond
Largest cityRichmond
Area
 • Total
443 sq mi (1,150 km2)
 • Land437 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Water6.0 sq mi (16 km2)  1.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
92,701
 • Estimate 
(2023)
96,735 Increase
 • Density210/sq mi (81/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.madisoncountyky.us

Madison County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. At the 2020 census, its population was 92,701.[1] Its county seat is Richmond.[2] The county is named for Virginia statesman James Madison, who later became the fourth President of the United States.[3]

The county is part of the Richmond-Berea, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area which is also included in the Lexington-Fayette–Richmond–Frankfort, KY combined statistical area.

Madison County was considered a moist county, meaning that although the county prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages (and is thus a dry county), it contained a city where retail alcohol sales are allowed. Nevertheless, two of the county's 19 precincts are completely dry.[4] Alcohol can also be sold by the drink in Berea,[5] Richmond, and at Arlington and The Bull golf clubs. In 2023, the county voted to become wet.[6]

Madison County is home to Eastern Kentucky University, Berea College, and historic Boone Tavern.[7] Famous pioneer Daniel Boone lived in Madison County and built Fort Boonesborough, now a state historic site.

  1. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp. 36.
  4. ^ Lanier, Yvette (August 1, 2007). "Berea votes down alcohol sales again". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved August 1, 2007.[dead link]
  5. ^ "Berea prepares for future with alcohol sales". Richmond Register. September 30, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  6. ^ "Madison County is wet, what's next?". May 23, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  7. ^ Foust, Michele. "200-year-old Kentucky pottery business a sight to see ", Atlanta Journal-Constitution, February 25, 2007. Retrieved on February 23, 2009.