County · Nebraska
Madison County, Nebraska
Madison County, Nebraska. Madison County had 36,106 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.5% since 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). It holds 6 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 31119.
Madison County is one of the 3 counties of the Norfolk, NE micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
36,106
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 35,585 · ACS 2020-2024: 35,532
Median household income
$63,128
±$4,259 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$208,500
±$9,009 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$881
±$35 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Madison County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 35,585 residents in Madison County. The Census Bureau estimates 36,106 for July 1, 2025, up 1.5% since 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 35,532 over 573 square miles of land.
| Measure | Madison County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 35,532 | 1,978,707 | +452 |
| Households | 14,462±224 | 797,847 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.39±0.04 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,510±46 | 863,444 | +204 |
Madison County's population since 2000
From 35,226 in 2000 to 36,106 in 2025: up 2.5%. 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 6 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Norfolk with 26,677 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Norfolk | 24,955 | $58,884 |
|---|---|---|
| Madison | 2,283 | $62,738 |
| Battle Creek | 1,194 | $95,536 |
| Tilden | 992 | $69,118 |
| Newman Grove | 667 | $54,861 |
| Meadow GroveGEOID 3131465 | 287 | $49,063 |
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 37.4 years old; 25.3% are under 18 and 17.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 77.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 16.3%. 8.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Madison County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.4±0.6 | 37.2 | +0.8 |
| Under 18 years | 25.3% | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.4%±0.2 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 16.3% | 12.7% | +1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 77.2%±0.4 pts | 75.3% | −2.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 4.6% | −0.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.4 pts | 2.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3%±0.7 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.0%±0.8 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.9%±1.1 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.7%±0.9 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 13.2%±1.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.5%±1.5 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.1%±1.0 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.7%±2.0 pts | 34.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.4%±1.2 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.5 pts | 2.4% | – |
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 14,462 households earn less than $63,128 a year (±$4,259), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 it was $65,458 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Madison County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $63,128±$4,259 | $76,475 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $87,535±$5,585 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,105±$2,060 | $41,751 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.1%±2.0 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.4%±3.8 pts | 12.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.5%±1.6 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.4%±2.3 pts | 90.6% | – |
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 65.4% of Madison County's occupied homes and renters 34.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $208,500 by its owner (±$9,009). The median renter pays $881 a month including utilities, and 29.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Madison County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $208,500±$9,009 | $238,600 | +$28,326 |
| Median gross rent | $881±$35 | $1,072 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 29.2%±5.1 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,468±$62 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.4%±2.0 pts | 66.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,510±46 | 863,444 | +204 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.1%±2.8 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.1%±2.0 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.4%±0.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.2%±1.0 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 20.7%±2.2 pts | 18.7% | – |
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 75 new housing units across Madison County in 2025 (55 single-family), 2.1 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?
79.3% of Madison County's workers drive alone and 5.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 14.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.0%.
| Measure | Madison County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.4%±1.9 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0%±0.9 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.3%±2.5 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.4%±1.8 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.2%±0.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.6%±1.1 pts | 11.0% | +1.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 14.3 min±0.8 | 19.2 min | no clear change |
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 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $42,601 (Tract 9607) to $111,650 (Tract 9608.02).
| Tract 960631119960600 | 6,276±491 | $60,417 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960731119960700 | 2,971±355 | $42,601 |
| Tract 9608.0131119960801 | 5,371±431 | $84,079 |
| Tract 9608.0231119960802 | 3,405±317 | $111,650 |
| Tract 960931119960900 | 4,541±480 | $54,808 |
| Tract 961031119961000 | 3,073±404 | $58,375 |
| Tract 961131119961100 | 1,764±200 | $65,547 |
| Tract 961231119961200 | 3,446±271 | $83,958 |
| Tract 961331119961300 | 4,685±298 | $71,155 |
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 Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 8th of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 27th of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 7th of 93 |
| Median household income | 70th of 93 |
| Median home value | 17th of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 25th of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 16th of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 53rd of 93 |
| Median age | 81st of 93 |
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.