Madrid was first settled around 1801. The Town of Madrid was one of the four original towns created along with the county in 1802. The south part of Madrid was lost to form the Town of Potsdam in 1806. The town gave up territory for the new Town of Waddington in 1859. During the War of 1812, Madrid, due to its proximity to Canada, developed a town militia, the "South Madrid Militia." After a more diverse economy, including mining and logging, the primary industry became farming, and the commercial presence is solely to support the residents. The First Congregational Church of Madrid was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of, of which, of it is land and of it is water. The Grasse River flows through the town and through the population center of Madrid. Brandy Brook flows through the northwest part of Madrid. The population center itself lies approximately halfway between the Towns of Potsdam and Waddington along New York State Route 345. Madrid is home to the Madrid Golf Course, a 9-hole public golf course located on County Route 14 near the heart of the population center. New York State Route 310 is an east-west highway passing south of Madrid village.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,828 people, 638 households, and 458 families residing in the town. The population densitywas 34.5 people per square mile. There were 763 housing units at an average density of 14.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 97.43% White, 1.37% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.93% of the population. There were 638 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couplesliving together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.04. In the town, the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males. The median income for a household in the town was $33,309, and the median income for a family was $40,625. Males had a median income of $32,120 versus $23,417 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,720. About 14.4% of families and 20.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Madrid
Allen Corners - A location in the east part of the town on NY-310.
Chamberlain Corners - A location in the northeast part of Madrid on County Road 44 by the Grasse River.
Cogswell Corners - A location northwest of Madrid village on County Road 31.
Dixon Corners - A location in the east part of the town on NY-310.
Madrid - The hamlet of Madrid was previously known, before 1826, as "Roberts Mills," "Grass River Falls," and "Columbia Village." This is the principal village in the town and is on the north bank of the Grass River.
Madrid Springs - A hamlet southwest of Madrid village on County Road 14.
St. Lawrence State Forest - A conservation area in the eastern part of Madrid.
Smiths Corners - A location northeast of Madrid village on County Road 14.
Turnbull Corner - A hamlet north of Madrid village on NY-345.
