Population overview
Madison County is home to roughly 14,226 people, making up about 0.04% of the total population of Texas. Within the East Texas region, it ranks #34 of 44 counties by population. The combination of 470 square miles of land and 14,226 residents yields a density of about 30.3 people per square mile — characteristic of small-town and exurban Texas, where towns are anchored by a county seat surrounded by working farmland and ranches.
How Madison County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Madison County sits in the lower half of the population distribution. It represents the broad middle of Texas — small to mid-sized counties with a clear county seat and a regionally rooted economy.
| Comparison | Population | vs Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Madison County | 14,226 | — |
| East Texas region average | 64,981 | +357% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +33% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +35363% |
Neighboring county populations
Madison County shares borders with 5 counties. Comparing population across an adjacent corridor often reveals commuting patterns, school-district pull, and economic gravity.
| County | Seat | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazos County | Bryan | 249,088 | 425.1 |
| Walker County | Huntsville | 83,842 | 106.4 |
| Grimes County | Anderson | 34,252 | 43.1 |
| Houston County | Crockett | 22,316 | 18.1 |
| Leon County | Centerville | 16,894 | 15.8 |
What the numbers mean
Madison County's density of about 30.3 people per square mile is about 25% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 21 acres of land for every resident.
Rural density like this means long drives to services, small school districts that are often the heart of community life, and an economy closely tied to agriculture, energy or recreation.
Madison County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 144th of 254; by land area it ranks 240th; and by density it ranks 109th. It punches above its size — more people than its land area alone would suggest.
Texas's population is extremely concentrated: the ten largest counties hold well over half of all Texans, while more than 150 counties have fewer than 30,000 residents. Madison County belongs to that large group of smaller counties.
About the data
Population figures on this page come from the U.S. Census Bureau. The decennial census provides the official count every ten years, and the Bureau's annual Population Estimates Program updates county totals between censuses. Land area comes from the Census Gazetteer and excludes water. Figures are rounded and may differ slightly from county or school district estimates that use other methods. See our methodology page for details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Madison County, Texas?+
Madison County has an estimated population of 14,226 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Madison County?+
Madison County has a population density of approximately 30.3 people per square mile across its 470 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a small-town / exurban county.
Where does Madison County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Madison County ranks #144 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.04% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Madison County?+
Among the 5 counties bordering Madison, Brazos County is the most populous with about 249,088 residents.
How is Madison County's population measured?+
Population figures are sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau — the decennial census and annual American Community Survey (ACS) population estimates. See our methodology for full sourcing.