Madison County Public RecordsMissouri

Madison County, MO, has 5 public schools, including 1 high school (Fredericktown High), serving about 1,300 students. Around 77% graduate high school, but only 12% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, below the national rate. Schools average a 6/10 rating on GreatSchools. The county offers career-technical education and dual-credit programs. School safety ratings indicate low incidents, but resources are limited. Adult education options include GED prep via the Fredericktown R-I district.

As of 2022, Madison County, MO had an employment rate of approximately 50%, with about 4,100 people employed. The leading industries are health care & social assistance (18%), retail trade (15%), and manufacturing (11%). Most residents work in office & administrative support (14%) and sales-related occupations (13%). The average commute time is 28 minutes, with over 32% commuting outside the county—mainly to St. Francois or Cape Girardeau counties—for employment opportunities.

Madison County, MO, has a homeownership rate of about 74%, with median home values near $120,000 as of 2023; median monthly rent is approximately $650. The property market has seen modest annual growth of 3-4%. Housing types are mainly single-family homes, with some mobile homes and limited apartments, especially in Fredericktown, the county seat. Popular neighborhoods include Fredericktown’s Historic District and rural subdivisions. Property tax rates average 0.81%, lower than the national average, making the area affordable for homeowners. Renters comprise about 26% of households, with rental inventory tight across the county.

As of the 2020 Census, Madison County, MO, had a population of 12,626. The median age was 41.9 years. Females made up 50.3%, while males were 49.7%. The racial composition was predominantly White (95.1%), with smaller percentages of Black or African American (1.1%), Native American (0.5%), Asian (0.2%), and those of two or more races (2.3%). Hispanic or Latino individuals comprised 1.2% of the population.

Madison County, MO, has approximately 7,200 registered voters, with 70% Republican and 25% Democrat registration. The county holds general, primary, and municipal elections, and in the 2022 midterms, 68% turnout was recorded. Polling locations include the Fredericktown Armory and the County Courthouse. Local issues often focus on education and infrastructure. Elections are administered by the Madison County Clerk’s office, with oversight from a bipartisan three-member election board. In recent elections, Republicans won 75% of countywide races.

Madison County, MO, reports lower-than-average crime rates compared to statewide figures. In 2022, the violent crime rate was approximately 160 incidents per 100,000 residents, while property crime stood at around 850 per 100,000. These rates are significantly below Missouri state averages. The Sheriff’s Office actively encourages community crime reporting and has increased patrols, contributing to high case clearance rates. Overall, Madison County is considered relatively safe, with consistent year-over-year reductions in major crimes and a strong emphasis on public safety programs and community outreach.