New Madrid County

New Madrid County sits in southeastern Missouri, bordering Tennessee and Kentucky. The county includes several towns with New Madrid serving as the county seat.

The county was established in 1812 and faced severe earthquakes that shifted the Mississippi River's course. These quakes rank among the most powerful ever recorded in North America.

The name comes from Madrid, Spain's capital, reflecting the Spanish and French settlers who shaped this territory centuries ago. You can see this heritage in the local place names and the character of some communities here.

The county is easy to reach by car and has several small towns spread throughout. Plan to spend time visiting the different communities and exploring the surrounding area.

Beneath the county lies the New Madrid Fault System, one of the most seismically active zones in North America east of the Rocky Mountains. This geological feature makes the area an important research site for earthquake scientists.

Location: Missouri

Inception: 1812

Capital city: New Madrid

Shares border with: Scott County, Pemiscot County, Mississippi County, Fulton County, Lake County, Stoddard County, Dunklin County

Website: http://new-madrid.mo.us/116/New-Madrid-County

GPS coordinates: 36.59000,-89.66000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:27