City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Madison, SD

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.

6,158
Residents
$62,180
Median income
$191,400
Median home
$970
Median rent (state)

Madison - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Madison places in the 39th percentile for household income and the 66th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

39th
percentile, household income
40th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
66th
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, SD

South Dakota's Madison is a small town, with 6,158 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $62,180 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 4.9%. Home values in Madison run a median of $191,400, and the median resident age is 39.6 years. About 35.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 64.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 11 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 83% from five years earlier. Madison reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 939.2 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 44.7°F with 26.4 inches of precipitation per year and 36.8 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in South Dakota run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, South Dakota scores 88.6 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $970 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Dakota's average monthly utility costs around $200 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 32.6 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

6,158 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$62,180 /yr

Poverty 4.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Madison compare to other US cities?

Where Madison sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 39% higher than other cities
Home value 40% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 66% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just South Dakota and the picture shifts: Madison ranks #12 of 34 South Dakota cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile 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 South Dakota, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

39thIncome percentile
66thSafety percentile

39th percentile nationally for median household income · 66th 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 60 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+)

$191,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 60% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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, SD Madison, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Madison, SD-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, SD median $62,180/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, SD'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, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 35.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.0%

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

Population
6,158
Median Income
$62,180
Median Home Value
$191,400
Median Age
39.6
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Labor force participation
64.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
35.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
939.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
148.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
790.9
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
44.7°F
Annual Precipitation
26.4"
Annual Snowfall
36.8"

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
6,050 residents6,100 residents6,150 residents6,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,160 residents 6,065 residents ▼ -1.5%
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)
11
housing units authorized
Single-Family
9
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 6
2020 39
2021 20
2022 15
2023 26
2024 11

Permit volume increased 83% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.5%
Carpool
4.5%
Public Transit
2.3%
Walk
6.5%
Work from Home
5.9%
Other
1.3%

Based on 3,234 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for South Dakota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$65
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$200
estimated/month

Estimates reflect South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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
88.6
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$970/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
32.6 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Tea
6,339 people
Belle Fourche
5,741 people
Sturgis
7,111 people
Rapid Valley
7,153 people
Harrisburg
7,790 people
Dakota Dunes
4,129 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Madison's 6,158 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL
6,159 people
Rupert, ID
6,157 people
Quebradillas zona urbana, PR
6,157 people
Northford, CT
6,161 people
Cumberland, IN
6,154 people
Rockford, MI
6,162 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Madison's $62,180 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Decorah, IA
$62,177 median income
Carthage, NC
$62,177 median income
Norfolk, NE
$62,175 median income
Mountain, AK
$62,188 median income
Easton, IL
$62,188 median income
Oskaloosa, IA
$62,172 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Madison, SD 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, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 96.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.3% White 96.5% Black or African American 0.9% Asian 0.4% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 1.6% 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 South Dakota 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) 6,158 $62,180
Tea 6,339 $104,643
Belle Fourche 5,741 $59,920
Sturgis 7,111 $51,101
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Madison, SD?

What is the population of Madison, SD? +

Madison, SD has a population of 6,158 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Madison, the typical household earns $62,180 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 South Dakota state average, a cost of living index of 88.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within South Dakota vary by metro area.

Is Madison, SD safe? +

Madison has a total crime rate of 939.2 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, SD? +

A typical home in Madison is worth $191,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Madison? +

Climate normals put Madison's yearly average temperature at 44.7°F, 26.4 inches of precipitation, and 36.8 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.