City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Madison, NC

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.

2,198
Residents
$49,964
Median income
$144,900
Median home
$1,040
Median rent (state)

Madison - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Madison places in the 19th percentile for household income and the 31st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

19th
percentile, household income
25th
percentile, home value
23rd
percentile, median rent
31st
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, NC

2,198 people live in Madison, North Carolina - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $49,964 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.9%. Typical homes in Madison are valued around $144,900, and the median resident age is 50.2 years. Educational attainment runs 17.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 11 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Low Activity). Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2032.3 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: the state registers 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,040 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $215 (state average). The average commute for Madison workers runs 17.5 minutes, with 75.3% driving alone and 9.0% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 71.9 out of 100 (High).

Population

2,198 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$49,964 /yr

Poverty 4.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Madison compare to other US cities?

Here's how Madison stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 19% higher than other cities
Home value 25% pricier than other cities
Median rent 23% pricier than other cities
Safety 31% 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 North Carolina, Madison ranks #74 of 195 North Carolina 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 North Carolina, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

19thIncome percentile
31stSafety percentile

19th percentile nationally for median household income · 31st 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 42 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+)

$144,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 75% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $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, NC Madison, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Madison, NC-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, NC median $49,964/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, NC'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, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.0%

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

Population
2,198
Median Income
$49,964
Median Home Value
$144,900
Median Age
50.2
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Labor force participation
53.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2032.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
46.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1986.1
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
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,100 residents2,150 residents2,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,127 residents 2,190 residents ▲ +3.0%
Madison's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
11
housing units authorized
Single-Family
11
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 1
2021 13
2022 8
2023 8
2024 11

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.5 minutes
Drive Alone
75.3%
Carpool
12.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.9%
Work from Home
9.0%

Based on 990 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,040/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
71.9 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Bladenboro
2,181 people
Badin
2,163 people
Governors
2,148 people
Navassa
2,148 people
Burnsville
2,143 people
Biscoe
2,259 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Madison's 2,198 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

East Quincy, CA
2,198 people
Burns Harbor, IN
2,198 people
Perry, MI
2,198 people
Beaver Lake, NE
2,198 people
Fort Montgomery, NY
2,198 people
Clatskanie, OR
2,198 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Madison's $49,964 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Boaz, AL
$49,962 median income
Hagerstown, MD
$49,957 median income
Richford, VT
$49,954 median income
Clanton, AL
$49,952 median income
Yoakum, TX
$49,950 median income
Merrill, WI
$49,947 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Madison, NC 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, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 65.3% 29.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.5% White 65.3% Black or African American 29.3% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 0.8% Two or more races 4.4% 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 North Carolina 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) 2,198 $49,964
Bladenboro 2,181 $55,517
Badin 2,163 $43,068
Governors 2,148 $124,857
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Madison, NC?

What is the population of Madison, NC? +

The population of Madison, NC stands at 2,198 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Madison is $49,964 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 North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Madison, NC safe? +

Madison has a total crime rate of 2032.3 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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, NC? +

The median home value in Madison is $144,900, 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.