250px|right|thumb|The Madison County [[Museum in Madisonville]]
250px|right|thumb|Bales of rolled [[hay off Texas State Highway 21 east of Madisonville]]
Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 13,455. Its seat is Madisonville. The county was created in 1853 and organized the next year. It is named for James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. In 1852, Hillary Mercer Crabb was elected to serve the unexpired term of State Representative F. L. Hatch. Among Crabb's accomplishments as a legislator was the introduction of a bill to create Madison County.
History
The current Madison County Courthouse was built in 1970. It is at least the fifth courthouse to serve Madison County. Hillary Mercer Crabb also served as a justice of the peace and chief justice (county judge). In 1852 he was elected to serve the unexpired term of State Representative F. L. Hatch. Among Crabb's accomplishments as a legislator was the introduction of a bill to create Madison County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which are land and (1.3%) are covered by water.
The county has three natural borders; its eastern boundary is defined by the Trinity River, its western boundary is defined by the Navasota River, and the portion of its southern border adjacent to Walker County is defined by Bedias Creek.
Major highways
- 20px Interstate 45
- 25px U.S. Highway 190
- 20px State Highway 21
- 20px State Highway 75
- 20px State Highway 90
- 20px State Highway OSR
- 20px Loop 1853
Notes
- Loop 1853 will be a relief route for SH 21.
Adjacent counties
- Leon County (north)
- Houston County (northeast)
- Walker County (southeast)
- Grimes County (south)
- Brazos County (west)