Total enrollment
2,063
-95 (-4%) vs SY 2020-21
Madison County
North Carolina · Public K-12
Madison County serves about 2,063 K-12 students across 7 public schools, an average of roughly 295 students per school. By grade band, the county runs 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools.
4-year change in Madison County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
7
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Madison County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In North Carolina | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 57.0% | #22 of 93 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,063 | #85 of 98 | #2,202 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 7 | #81 of 98 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.1:1 | #2 of 98 | #566 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 98.6% | #31 of 98 | #122 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 15.8% | #94 of 94 | #2,312 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Residents
21,867
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
7
1 districts
Enrollment
2,063
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$58,531
Below North Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
98.6%
Above North Carolina avg
Elementary
3
929 students
Middle
1
468 students
High
3
666 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Madison County Schools
2,063 students · 1 district in Madison County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Madison County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
32.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.1%
civilian labor
Median age
45
17.3% under 18
Test scores in Madison County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. North Carolina state average: 51.8%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Madison Early College High· 89.1%
- Madison High School· 56.1%
- Madison Middle School· 55.1%
- Mars Hill Elementary· 49.0%
- Brush Creek Elementary· 48.9%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Hot Springs Elementary· 46.2%
- Brush Creek Elementary· 48.9%
- Mars Hill Elementary· 49.0%
- Madison Middle School· 55.1%
- Madison High School· 56.1%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Middle School | Marshall | Middle | 06-08 | 468 | · |
| Mars Hill Elementary | Mars Hill | Elementary | KG-05 | 445 | · |
| Madison High School | Marshall | High | 09-12 | 377 | · |
| Brush Creek Elementary | Marshall | Elementary | KG-05 | 356 | · |
| Madison Early College High | Marshall | High | 09-13 | 270 | · |
| Hot Springs Elementary | Hot Springs | Elementary | KG-05 | 128 | · |
| Madison Velocity Learning Center | Marshall | High | 09-12 | 19 | · |
Cities in Madison County
About Madison County
In North Carolina, Madison County is a small county of about 21,867 residents. 7 public schools across the county enrolls about 2,063 students between them.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show the median household earns about $58,531 a year, 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 9%. That income level is 7% meaningfully below the North Carolina median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Madison County spans 3 elementary schools (929 students), 1 middle school (468), and 3 high schools (666).
The largest single district in Madison County is Madison County Schools, which alone enrolls about 2,063 students.
Looking at the last 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 2,063 students, decreased 4% from the 2,158 reported in SY 2020-21.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Madison County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data