Madison County

Madison County Offices

Madison County Town List

Do you want to visit Madison County Texas? There are many things to put in mind before visiting this place. The first thing that you need to know is the climate of Madison County; it will be different from other places. The county seat is Madisonville known for its beautiful landscapes and scenic views. 

It has a lot of attractions like museums, parks, and much more. You can also enjoy fishing at Lake Fork, which is one of the best lakes in the area. If you love hunting then you should not miss out on the opportunity to hunt deer or turkey. Other than all these activities, there are some historical sites where you can learn about the history of the area. 

Continue reading for more details about Madison County. 

History of Madison County 

Madison County was created in 1853 and named for James Madison a former president of the U.S. It is in East Texas and covers an area of 466.07 square miles. It borders Houston, Liberty, San Jacinto, Walker, Trinity, Polk, Rusk, Shelby, Angelina, Jasper, Newton, Smith, Marion, and Van Zandt counties. 

The population of Madison County is around 15,000 people. The majority of them live in the city of Madisonville. The rest of the residents reside in small towns such as Lufkin, Nacogdoches, and Shreveport. Most of the residents are white while others are Hispanic and black. 

The most common language spoken here is English but Spanish is also widely used. The official religion of Madison County is Christianity. 

Early settlers were the Cherokee Indians who lived in the area long ago. They left after being forced off their land by the government. Later, they came back intending to settle down permanently. However, they had to leave again when the United States government took over their lands. 

After the Civil War ended, the county was formed. At that time, the county was part of the state of Louisiana. In 1871, the county became part of the state of Texas. 

The Economy of Madison County 

The economy of Madison county is mainly based on agriculture. Agriculture is the primary source of income for the county. Some farmers grow cotton, corn, wheat, rice, soybeans, and sorghum among others. 

Other industries include poultry farms, oil fields, and manufacturing plants. Manufacturing companies make chemicals, paper products, clothing, food processing, and machinery. 

Tourism is another major industry in the county. Tourists come to see the natural beauty of the area. Thankfully, the area is rich in the natural resources needed for tourism. 

Residents also own businesses in the area. These include restaurants, hotels, retail stores, gas stations, auto repair shops, banks, and insurance agencies. 

The government supports upcoming businesses through grants and loans. This helps the business owners to start up. 

Tourism Attractions in Madison County 

There are many tourist attractions in Madison County, including the following: 

Moss Lake- This lake is near the town of Moss Bluff. Pine trees surround it and offer magnificent views of the surrounding areas. There are several places to fish here. 

Lake Madison Park- Another attraction in the area is this park. It is located next to Lake Madison. Fishing is allowed here, and it is open from sunrise until sunset. 

The city of Madisonville Lake- The City of Madisonville, has a beautiful lake where visitors can enjoy fishing or swimming. 

Oak Ridge Country Club- The club offers golfing facilities. Visitors can use these facilities during weekends and holidays. 

Baker Creek State Park- Located at Baker Creek, the park provides camping facilities. Campers can stay here overnight. 

Cedar Bayou Nature Center- This center is at Cedar Bayou. It is dedicated to preserving the environment and wildlife of the area. 

Piney Woods Wildlife Management Area- The WMA is at Piney Woods. Its purpose is to preserve the forests and wetlands of the area.  

County Offices 

Madison County Judge’s office is under Judge A.J. “Tony” Leago. The office handles all court cases in the county. You can contact the office at 936-241-6202 

The Clerk’s Office is under Susanne Morris. This office records documents and keeps records of the county. Their phone number is  936-241-6210. 

Bobby Adams supervises the Sheriff’s Office. The office handles law enforcement in the county. You can contact them at 936-348-2755. 

The County Treasurer’s Office is under Judi Delesandri. She handles financial records in the county. You can call the office at 936-348-5141. 

Karen M. Lane supervises the County Tax Office. You can contact the office at 936-348-2654. 

The County Auditor’s Office handles all audit records. Toni McBee-Joyner heads it. You can contact the office at 936-241-6221. 

Financial Transparency 

One of the key things that Madison county values is financial transparency. Openness in transactions is important because it allows people to know what their money is being used for. In addition, it allows citizens to question how their tax dollars are being spent. 

This openness is achieved through the following ways: 

Utility Reports- Madison County publishes utility-reports online. These reports show how much energy each household uses and how much electricity they consume. They also provide information about water usage and sewer charges. 

Tax Statements- Each year, residents receive a tax statement showing how much taxes were paid on their property. In addition, they get a list of expenditures made with their tax money. 

Property Tax Records- Residents have access to their property tax records. These records detail the value of their home and any improvements made to it. 

Treasurer Reports- The treasurer’s reports include detailed information about how tax revenue was collected and spent. 

Budgets- The budgets published by the county contain details about how tax money was allocated. Allocation of funds is done using a formula based on population and assessed valuation. 

Verdict 

Madison County is a friendly place where everyone gets along. People living there enjoy spending time outdoors. There are many parks and open spaces available for recreation. The county government has been working hard to improve its infrastructure so that people live comfortably