Madison County, Iowa

Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 15,679. The county seat is Winterset.Madison County is included in the Des Moines - West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area.Madison County is famous for being the county where John Wayne was born, and for a number of covered bridges. These bridges were featured in the 1992 book, 1995 movie, and 2014 musical The Bridges of Madison County.HistoryMadison County was formed on January 13, 1846. It has been self-governed since 1849. It was named after James Madison (1751–1836), the fourth President of the United States (between 1809 and 1817). Hiram Hurst, a suspected murderer, arsonist and hog thief was the first white settler in Madison County, having come from Missouri about April 15, 1846.GeographyAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (0.2%) is water.Major highways20px Interstate 80 (in the far northwestern corner of the county)20px U.S. Highway 620px U.S. Highway 16920px Iowa Highway 92