City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Madison, AL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Madison - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

58,335
Residents
$131,436
Median income
$367,900
Median home
$1,310
Median rent (state)

Madison - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Madison places in the 91st percentile for household income and the 45th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

91st
percentile, household income
74th
percentile, home value
47th
percentile, median rent
45th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Madison, AL

Madison is a small city in Alabama, home to 58,335 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Madison brings in $131,436 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.4%. Home values in Madison run a median of $367,900, and the median resident age is 37.9 years. Educational attainment runs 65.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 65.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1,559 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 322% from five years earlier. Madison reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1538.2 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Alabama run below the national norm: the state registers 88.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,310 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $245 across Alabama, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Madison workers runs 16.8 minutes, with 75.0% driving alone and 18.8% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 94.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

58,335 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$131,436 /yr

Poverty 2.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Madison compare to other US cities?

Madison measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 91% higher than other cities
Home value 74% pricier than other cities
Median rent 47% pricier than other cities
Safety 45% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Alabama, Madison ranks #91 of 222 Alabama cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Madison's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Alabama, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

91stIncome percentile
45thSafety percentile

91st percentile nationally for median household income · 45th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Madison's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Madison's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 59 Avg. percentile National median
Madison's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Madison's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$367,900 26th percentile more affordable than 26% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Madison $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Madison, AL Madison, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Madison, AL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Madison, AL median $131,436/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Madison, AL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Madison, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 65.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
58,335
Median Income
$131,436
Median Home Value
$367,900
Median Age
37.9
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Labor force participation
65.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
65.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1538.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
211.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1327.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
12
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
55,000 residents60,000 residents65,000 residents70,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 57,236 residents 67,968 residents ▲ +18.8%
Madison's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
1,559
housing units authorized
Single-Family
567
detached homes
Multifamily
992
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
26.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 369
2020 438
2021 801
2022 293
2023 1,198
2024 1,559

Permit volume increased 322% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.8 minutes
Drive Alone
75.0%
Carpool
4.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.2%
Work from Home
18.8%
Other
1.7%

Based on 28,187 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Alabama - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$138
avg/month
Natural Gas
$62
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$245
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Alabama state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Alabama state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Madison sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,310/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
94.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alabama

Decatur
57,760 people
Dothan
71,118 people
Florence
41,231 people
Prattville
38,850 people
Vestavia Hills
38,704 people
Phenix City
38,477 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Madison's 58,335 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hoboken, NJ
58,340 people
Carson, NV
58,364 people
St. Clair Shores, MI
58,287 people
Springfield, OH
58,410 people
Margate, FL
58,418 people
St. Peters, MO
58,200 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Madison's $131,436 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Thornport, OH
$131,458 median income
Cumings, TX
$131,459 median income
Wood-Ridge, NJ
$131,412 median income
Savannah, TX
$131,397 median income
Nocatee, FL
$131,488 median income
Lake Forest, CA
$131,378 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Madison, AL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Madison, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 69.5% 13.4% 7.9% 7.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.8% White 69.5% Black or African American 13.4% Asian 7.9% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.1% Two or more races 7.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Madison compares to nearby Alabama cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Madison (this city) 58,335 $131,436
Decatur 57,760 $59,831
Dothan 71,118 $55,052
Florence 41,231 $50,396
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Madison, AL?

What is the population of Madison, AL? +

The population of Madison, AL stands at 58,335 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Madison, AL? +

The median household income in Madison is $131,436 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Madison? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Madison; the closest available measure is the Alabama state average, a cost of living index of 88.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Alabama vary by metro area.

Is Madison, AL safe? +

Madison has a total crime rate of 1538.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Madison, AL? +

A typical home in Madison is worth $367,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.