Madison County Demographics

A map of Madison County's Population by Race

Madison County, North Carolina has an estimated population of 21,867, an increase from the 21,193 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 91.2% White, 3.6% Hispanic, 2.7% Multiracial, 1.1% Black, 0.8% Native American/Other, and 0.5% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Madison County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Madison has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Madison County, that probability was 17.4% in 2020 and 16.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Madison County is ranked the 77th most populous county in North Carolina, out of 100 counties. Madison County was ranked the 79th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Madison County's White Population

19,947 residents of Madison County, or 91.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Madison County is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Madison County ranks 1st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Madison County's White population has grown by an estimated 3.7%. White residents' share of Madison County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 91.2%.

Madison County is more White than neighboring Buncombe County (80.8% White), Greene County (90.9% White), Unicoi County (90.1% White), Yancey County (90.8% White), and Haywood County (90.4% White).

Madison County's Black Population

239 residents of Madison County, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Madison County is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Madison County ranks 93rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Madison County's Black population has grown by an estimated 21.3%. Black residents' share of Madison County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Madison County is more Black than neighboring Unicoi County (0.7% Black), Yancey County (0.8% Black), and Haywood County (0.9% Black). Madison County is less Black than neighboring Buncombe County (4.8% Black), and Greene County (1.7% Black).

Madison County's Asian Population

107 residents of Madison County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Madison County is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Madison County ranks 71st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Madison County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 27.4%. Asian residents' share of Madison County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Madison County is more Asian than neighboring Unicoi County (0.1% Asian), and Haywood County (0.4% Asian). Madison County is less Asian than neighboring Buncombe County (1.1% Asian).

Madison County's Hispanic Population

796 residents of Madison County, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Madison County is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Madison County ranks 88th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Madison County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Madison County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.6%.

Madison County is less Hispanic than neighboring Buncombe County (8.6% Hispanic), Greene County (3.9% Hispanic), Unicoi County (6.7% Hispanic), Yancey County (5.8% Hispanic), and Haywood County (5% Hispanic).

Madison County's Native American/Other Population

181 residents of Madison County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Madison County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Madison County ranks 68th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Madison County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 39.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Madison County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Madison County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Buncombe County (0.5% Native American/Other), Greene County (0.3% Native American/Other), Unicoi County (0.2% Native American/Other), Yancey County (0.1% Native American/Other), and Haywood County (0.7% Native American/Other).

Madison County's Multiracial Population

597 residents of Madison County, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Madison County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Madison County ranks 38th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Madison County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 25.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Madison County's population has decreased from 3.8% to 2.7%.

Madison County is more Multiracial than neighboring Unicoi County (2.1% Multiracial), and Yancey County (2% Multiracial). Madison County is less Multiracial than neighboring Buncombe County (4.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.