About Madison County

Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in northeast Alabama and surrounded by military, technology, and aerospace industries is the Madison County School System (MCSS). Established in 1858, MCSS has a rich history of educating students and is one of the largest school systems in the state of Alabama. Currently serving nearly 20,000 students, MCSS continues to enhance its services and utilize innovation to ensure all students are learning at high levels.

Madison County is home to approximately 390,000 residents. The most recent United States census data show a 14.47% growth rate since 2010. Madison County is a well-educated community, with 50% of its population over the age of 25 having obtained a post-secondary degree. The median household income is $65,449. Madison County has an overall marriage rate of 50.6% and the median married family household income is $105,502. The average home cost is $246,800.

According to U.S. News & World Report, Huntsville, AL ranks third in Best Places to Live in the U.S. Huntsville is a thriving and robust community with an economic growth index of 38 and a projected growth rate of 6%. The metro area has the highest concentration of engineers in the United States and the second-highest concentration of STEM workers.

Madison County has a diverse and expansive economic base. The primary industries that influence the economy include advanced manufacturing, aerospace, biotechnology, defense, cybersecurity, and information technology. Redstone Arsenal houses over 70 organizations, including the U.S. Army, NASA, and the FBI. The total budget for Redstone exceeds $50 billion with more than $7 billion spent in the community.

Cummings Research Park is the second-largest research park in the U.S. and the fourth-largest worldwide. Over 300 companies, including Fortune 500 and local businesses, are nestled in Research Park. Companies such as Blue Origin, Facebook, and Mazda-Toyota have also chosen Madison County as the community in which to establish and expand their businesses. Family-owned businesses that have been a part of the community for generations, small enterprises, and large businesses are key drivers of our community and support education.

Madison County enjoys a low unemployment rate of 5% and the community is filled with diverse workers.