County · North Carolina
Madison County, North Carolina
Madison County, North Carolina. Madison County had 22,553 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 6.4% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 37115.
Madison County is one of the 3 counties of the Asheville, NC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
22,553
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 21,193 · ACS 2020-2024: 21,867
Median household income
$58,531
±$4,714 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$284,600
±$22,454 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$780
±$64 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Madison County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 21,193 residents in Madison County. The Census Bureau estimates 22,553 for July 1, 2025, up 6.4% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 21,867 over 450 square miles of land.
| Measure | Madison County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 21,867 | 10,730,404 | +368 |
| Households | 8,342±292 | 4,282,345 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.50±0.09 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,356±44 | 4,895,668 | +384 |
Madison County's population since 2000
From 19,635 in 2000 to 22,553 in 2025: up 14.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Madison County?
Madison County holds 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Mars Hill with 2,280 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Mars Hill | 2,007 | $81,429 |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall | 777 | $56,728 |
| Hot Springs | 520 | $44,688 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Madison County?
The median resident of Madison County is 44.5 years old; 17.3% are under 18 and 23.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.6%. 1.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Madison County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.5±0.4 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.3%±0.3 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.2%±0.3 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.6% | 11.3% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.2%±0.9 pts | 60.0% | −2.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 20.0% | −0.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.7%±0.6 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.3%±0.5 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.8%±0.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9%±1.3 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 18.1%±1.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.4%±1.8 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.5%±2.2 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.2%±3.2 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.1%±2.0 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Madison County earn?
Half of Madison County's 8,342 households earn less than $58,531 a year (±$4,714), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $56,456 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Madison County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,531±$4,714 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $84,172±$8,084 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,126±$3,208 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.1%±2.3 pts | 13.0% | −4.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.6%±5.2 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.2%±2.6 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.3%±3.0 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Madison County?
Owners occupy 77.5% of Madison County's occupied homes and renters 22.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $284,600 by its owner (±$22,454). The median renter pays $780 a month including utilities, and 34.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Madison County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $284,600±$22,454 | $288,900 | +$45,230 |
| Median gross rent | $780±$64 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.2%±9.4 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,566±$104 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.5%±2.8 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,356±44 | 4,895,668 | +384 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 5.8%±2.2 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.3%±5.3 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.7%±3.2 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 21.4%±2.9 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.3%±1.2 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.3%±1.5 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Madison County building?
Builders took permits for 117 new housing units across Madison County in 2025 (117 single-family), 5.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Madison County get to work?
76.3% of Madison County's workers drive alone and 10.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.1%.
| Measure | Madison County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.5%±2.5 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1%±1.7 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.3%±3.0 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.9%±2.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 2.3%±1.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.7%±2.0 pts | 16.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.7 min±3.6 | 25.1 min | +4.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Madison County's census tracts?
Madison County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $37,644 (Tract 101) to $75,855 (Tract 106.02).
| Tract 10137115010100 | 2,425±552 | $37,644 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 10237115010200 | 2,270±425 | $55,000 |
| Tract 10437115010400 | 1,962±349 | $47,639 |
| Tract 10537115010500 | 4,274±727 | $59,677 |
| Tract 106.0137115010601 | 2,777±436 | $60,694 |
| Tract 106.0237115010602 | 4,478±453 | $75,855 |
| Tract 10737115010700 | 3,681±423 | $60,603 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Madison County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 77th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 29th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 85th of 100 |
| Median household income | 59th of 100 |
| Median home value | 25th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 78th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 71st of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22nd of 100 |
| Median age | 40th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Madison County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.