The county contains 327 square miles of land mass, about one sixth of which falls in the Shenandoah National Park. According to the 2000 Census, there are 12,520 residents and more than a thousand part-time (recreational) residents. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, Madison has 304 miles of secondary roads and 63 miles of primary roads.

Supervisors are elected for four-year staggered terms. Three supervisors are selected in one election and two are selected in an election conducted two years thereafter. All supervisors are elected at-large.

The county operates a transfer station and recycling center located on Route 622, between Shelby and Rochelle.

Water and sewer service is provided to residents and businesses in and adjoining the Town of Madison and along portions of the Route 29 South corridor by the Rapidan Service Authority (RSA). Two members of the Board of RSA are appointed by the Madison County Board of Supervisors. Most county residents use private wells and septic systems.

Electricity is provided to county residents by three utilities: Allgeheny Power, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative and, to a lesser extent, Virginia Power. Telephone service is provided by Verizon Telephone Co. Cable television service is provided to town residents by Adelphia.

Law enforcement is provided by an elected Sheriff, his deputies, and by state police assigned to Madison County.

Medical emergencies are handled by a volunteer Rescue Squad and a paid professional squad.

A Volunteer Fire Company handles all fire emergencies. 

(NOTE: All emergency calls for police, fire, or rescue assistance can go through the 24-hour Sheriff’s Dispatcher 911 system. You can also reach the Sheriff’s Department for non-emergencies at 948-5161.

The Town of Madison is the County Seat and commercial center. It is located near the center of the county, near the intersections of the three major highways serving the area, U.S. 29 and Routes 230 and 231. There are 293 residents in the town whose east-west boundaries parallel Main Street.

The town is governed by an elected Mayor and a four-person Town Council. The Town Office is located in the Peterson Building on Main Street, which also houses the Department of Motor Vehicles Office. The Town Council meets at that office on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. The Town Planning Commission meets when needed.

School division policy is developed by a five-member School Board elected at large.

The Board meets on the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. (7:30 p.m. during daylight savings time) and on the fourth Wednesday as needed.

Day-to-day administration of the public school system rests with the Division Superintendent, who with the central office personnel and school principals, provides leadership in carrying out School Board policies for the day-to-day operation of the system.

The Madison County Public School system operates five schools with a total enrollment of 1,832 students.

Madison High School

Wetsel Middle School

Waverly Yowell Elementary

Madison Primary, grades K-3