Population265,859 (2020 Census)
Riverfront Industry Meets Historic Metro East Towns
Madison County, IllinoisEdwardsville is the county seat and Granite City the largest city. Alton and other Mississippi River communities connect local history with the wider St. Louis metropolitan region. This guide brings together a starting point for county information, public services and local connections. Begin with Edwardsville, then use the resource links to plan the details of a visit or an everyday errand. Check directly with each provider for current hours, access and service availability before setting out.
Madison County at a Glance
Population265,859 (2020 Census)
County SeatEdwardsville
Largest MunicipalityGranite City
Established1812
ZIP Codes36 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county (checked October 4, 2026)
Total Area739.9 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-55; I-70; I-255; I-270; US 40
Area Codes618 / 730 (common local area codes)
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Ryan Construction & Roofing LLC for roofing and construction.
Discover Madison County
Madison County
The county was established in 1812 and named for James Madison. Its early territory was much larger, while later development brought substantial industry to the river corridor. Today, Edwardsville remains the county seat, while Granite City is its largest municipality. The 2020 Census counted 265,859 residents across the county. Its towns and surrounding countryside offer different ways to understand the same place: through public buildings, transportation routes and the communities that connect them. Local records and historical collections provide a starting point for exploring how those connections changed over time.
Life in Madison County extends beyond a single town center. Mississippi River and Metro East communities are part of the local setting, alongside the routine needs of households, schools and businesses. Use county offices for the services they administer and contact municipal or township offices when a question concerns a specific address. Planning around the actual destination helps make visits, appointments and local errands more practical, especially when travel crosses town or county boundaries.
What Shapes Us
Local Heritage
Established in 1812, Madison County has a history recorded in its communities and public institutions. Start with local collections to explore specific people, buildings and events.
Landscape and Connections
Mississippi River and Metro East communities help distinguish Madison County. Its county seat, Edwardsville, provides a useful starting point for understanding how nearby communities connect across the area.
Everyday Community
County and local offices connect residents with practical services. Follow the linked providers for details specific to your destination, address and purpose in Madison County.
Explore the towns, follow the stories, make local connections.
A Look Around
Scenes from Madison County
Places and details that tell a local story.
Alton Telegraph
Early voting expands in Madison County, includes brief paper issue
Read the full story at Alton Telegraph.
Read the Story Oct 19, 2026 • Local news
Around Madison County
Stories from every corner of Madison County.
Keep These Businesses in Mind
Start with a Direct Conversation
Contact Ryan Construction & Roofing LLC directly to ask about current options, availability and the services you need.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the responsible public agency or service provider. Statewide links are labeled so you can locate the office that serves your address.
Government
County & Local Resources
Supervisor of Assessments
Property assessments, exemptions and assessment office information.
Phone (618) 692-6270
Schools
County & Local Resources
Hospitals and Health
County & Local Resources
Public Safety
County & Local Resources
Illinois State Police
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois State Police contacts
Find the appropriate State Police contact; call 911 for emergencies.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Report cyber-enabled crime through the federal complaint portal; emergencies require 911.
Emergency Services
County & Local Resources
Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
National Weather Service
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
State Parks
County & Local Resources
Pere Marquette State Park
Grafton — regional option in Jersey County. Check facilities and access notices.
Beaver Dam State Park
Plainview — regional option in Macoupin County. Check facilities and access notices.
Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area
Baldwin — regional option in Randolph County. Check facilities and access notices.
Wolf Creek State Park
Windsor — regional option in Shelby County. Check facilities and access notices.
Ray Norbut State Fish and Wildlife Area
Griggsville — regional option in Pike County. Check facilities and access notices.
Trails
County & Local Resources
Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail
Alton, Madison County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Eldon Hazlet State Park
Carlyle — regional option in Clinton County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Boulder Recreation Area Camping
Carlyle — regional option in Clinton County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Utilities
County & Local Resources
Illinois Commerce Commission
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois 811 — JULIE
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois energy assistance
Find utility-bill assistance and the local administering agency.
Libraries
County & Local Resources
Bethalto Public Library District
Address 321 South Prairie Street Bethalto , IL 62010-1525
Phone 618-377-8141
East Alton Public Library District
Address 250 Washington Avenue East Alton , IL 62024-1547
Phone 618-259-0787
Edwardsville Public Library
Address 112 South Kansas Street Edwardsville , IL 62025-1708
Phone 618-692-7556
Glen Carbon Centennial Library District
Address 198 South Main Street Glen Carbon , IL 62034-1419
Phone 618-288-1212
Hartford Public Library District
Address 143 West Hawthorne Street Hartford , IL 62048-1020
Phone 618-254-9394
Courts
County & Local Resources
Illinois Courts
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Courts — Forms
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Court Help
Court-process information and help for people without an attorney.
DMV
County & Local Resources
Transportation
County & Local Resources
Illinois Department of Transportation
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Getting Around Illinois
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois public transportation
Find public transportation information and regional agencies.
IDOT transit programs
Transit program information, including rural and intercity services.
Amtrak Illinois services
Find Illinois intercity rail routes and stations; some counties require travel to a regional station.
Postal Services
County & Local Resources
USPS Location Finder
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
USPS ZIP Code Lookup
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
USPS Informed Delivery
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Veterans
County & Local Resources
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
VA Facility Locator
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Veterans Crisis Line
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Employment
County & Local Resources
IllinoisJobLink — official job-seeker help
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Department of Employment Security
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois workNet
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Work for Illinois
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
A Useful Starting Point
County facts and practical links for everyday questions.
Questions and Answers
Get to Know Madison County
Find background and service information below, then follow the provider links for current details.
Edwardsville is the county seat. Madison County Government provides county office information; check the office destination before traveling.
Granite City is the largest municipality listed in the county reference. Countywide statistics include other communities and unincorporated areas as well.
The 2020 Census counted 265,859 residents. This is a decennial count, not a current-year population estimate.
Madison County was established in 1812. The county was established in 1812 and named for James Madison. Its early territory was much larger, while later development brought substantial industry to the river corridor.
The county covers approximately 739.9 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography). This total includes both land and water, rather than land area alone.
Edwardsville is the county seat and Granite City the largest city. Alton and other Mississippi River communities connect local history with the wider St. Louis metropolitan region.
Raging Rivers Water Park is in Grafton, Jersey County. This is a regional option outside Madison County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup with the full street address. A county boundary does not define a single postal delivery area.
Riverfront Park is in Alton, Madison County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Beaver Dam State Park is in Plainview, Macoupin County. This is a regional option outside Madison County. Basic access is the free activity; extras may carry charges. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Begin with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to locate the appropriate service office, or the VA facility locator for federal facilities.
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Ryan Construction & Roofing LLC for roofing and construction.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Explore Local PlacesPlan your next stop around current information from each place.
Kids’ Fun
- Raging Rivers Water Park — Grafton — regional option in Jersey County
- Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo — Nashville — regional option in Washington County
- Lincoln Memorial Garden Nature Center — Springfield — regional option in Sangamon County
Restaurants
- Crushed Red — Edwardsville, Madison County
- Cleveland-Heath — Edwardsville, Madison County
- Mio Osteria — Edwardsville, Madison County
Shopping & Retail
- Afterwords Books — Edwardsville, Madison County
- Happy Up Inc. — Edwardsville, Madison County
- First to the Finish — Edwardsville, Madison County
Clothing & Boutiques
- By Design — Alton, Madison County
- Grapevine — Alton, Madison County
- Dora's Spinning Wheel — Alton, Madison County
Outdoor Fun
- Riverfront Park — Alton, Madison County
- Melvin Price Locks & Dam — Alton, Madison County
- Riverview Park — Alton, Madison County
Free Things To Do
- Beaver Dam State Park — Plainview — regional option in Macoupin County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Pere Marquette State Park — Grafton — regional option in Jersey County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area — Baldwin — regional option in Randolph County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
Make Time for Local DiscoveriesChoose Your Next Stop