Madison County is located in the state of Illinois. It is part of the St. Louis Metro Area. As of the 2000 census, the population was 258,941. The county seat is Edwardsville. It was formed in 1812 out of Randolph and St. Clair Counties. At the time of its formation, Madison County included all of the modern State of Illinois north of St. Louis, about three-fourths of the Territory. The county was named for President James Madison, at the outbreak of the War of 1812. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,918 km² (740 mi²). 1,878 km² (725 mi²) of it is land and 40 km² (15 mi²) of it (2.07%) is water. Madison County is on the Mississippi River, the other major body of water is Horseshoe Lake.





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