CountyScore

Madison County

Mississippi · MS

#63 in Mississippi
65.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Madison County, Mississippi

Madison County's strong national showing

Madison County's composite score of 65.1 sits 30% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper 40th percentile nationally. The county outperforms most U.S. communities in overall livability.

Slightly below state typical

Madison County scores 65.1 against Mississippi's state average of 67.5, placing it in the solid middle range of the state's 82 counties. It offers comparable livability to statewide peers with balanced strengths.

Highest incomes and excellent health

Madison County stands out with the highest income score (34.8) of any county here, reflecting a median household income of $78,794—well above state norms. Health outcomes are exceptional at 70.7, the best in this cohort, indicating robust healthcare quality and wellness outcomes.

Housing costs rise with prosperity

The county's cost score of 67.6 reflects higher housing expenses, with median home values reaching $286,300 and rent at $1,097/month. This is the trade-off for higher incomes and better health infrastructure—prosperity comes with a price.

Best for higher-earning, health-conscious families

Madison County is ideal for professional families and retirees with solid incomes who prioritize healthcare quality and community health outcomes. This is Mississippi's most prosperous county in the dataset—suited for those willing to pay for premium livability.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax81.9Cost67.6SafetyComing SoonHealth70.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome34.8Risk17.9WaterComing Soon
🏛81.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡17.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Madison County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Houston County
Georgia
65.1
Median income: $80,743
Tift County
Georgia
65.1
Median income: $53,165
Christian County
Kentucky
65.1
Median income: $54,190
Berrien County
Michigan
65.1
Median income: $63,152
Lee County
Mississippi
65.1
Median income: $67,144

Deep Dives

Madison County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Madison County

via TaxByCounty

Madison mirrors national tax burden

Madison County's effective property tax rate of 0.723% is roughly one-third the national median of 2.1%, though its median property tax of $2,071 approaches the national median of $2,690. This reflects Madison's notably higher median home value of $286,300, the highest in this county group.

Madison taxes slightly below state average

Madison County's 0.723% effective rate sits marginally below Mississippi's 0.743% average, but its $2,071 median property tax far exceeds the state median of $931. This disparity highlights Madison's position as Mississippi's most affluent county in this comparison group.

Madison homes priciest, taxes highest

Madison County's median home value of $286,300 substantially outpaces all neighbors—the next-highest is Lee at $187,800. Consequently, Madison residents pay the region's highest median property tax of $2,071, though the effective rate remains competitive at 0.723%.

Madison median tax reaches $2,071 annually

On Madison County's median home valued at $286,300, property taxes total approximately $2,071 per year. With a mortgage, homeowners owe $2,184; without, $1,812.

High values make assessments worth verifying

In rapidly appreciating markets like Madison, assessment errors compound quickly and cost homeowners thousands. Filing an appeal with the county assessor is especially valuable when median home values are this high.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Madison County

via CostByCounty

Madison County punches above average

Madison County renters spend 16.7% of income on rent, matching national affordability standards and beating Mississippi's 19.6% state average by 3 percentage points. At $1,097 monthly, Madison rents are the region's highest, yet the county's $78,794 median income—also the strongest here—makes them manageable.

Top tier for Mississippi affordability

Madison County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Mississippi's best, and its $78,794 median household income far exceeds the state norm. This county combines above-average wages with proportionally reasonable housing costs—a rare combination in Mississippi.

Highest wages justify highest rents

Madison's $1,097 rent and $1,371 monthly owner costs are the region's steepest, but the $78,794 median income dwarfs all neighbors—nearly $11,000 more than Lee County's second-place $67,144. That wage premium makes Madison's housing costs proportionally affordable despite their high dollar amounts.

Premium housing, premium incomes balance

Renters allocate 16.7% of their $78,794 income to $1,097 rent—well within healthy affordability bounds—while homeowners paying $1,371 monthly represent 20.9% of income. Both renters and owners enjoy substantial discretionary income after housing, a luxury most Mississippi counties cannot offer.

Madison offers Mississippi's best balance

If you earn above $70,000 and want to relocate within Mississippi, Madison County delivers the state's strongest affordability ratio while supporting higher-wage opportunities. Your housing costs will be higher in absolute dollars, but you'll keep a larger share of your paycheck than nearly anywhere else in the state.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Madison County

via IncomeByCounty

Madison County exceeds national income average

Madison County's median household income of $78,794 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $4,039, placing it above the typical American household. The county significantly outpaces Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514, making it an economic outlier within the state.

Madison County ranks first in Mississippi

Madison County's median household income of $78,794 ranks among the highest in Mississippi, far exceeding the state average of $48,514. Per capita income of $47,771 also dramatically surpasses the state average of $27,136, reflecting concentrated wealth and strong earning capacity.

Madison County leads the entire region

Madison County's median household income of $78,794 substantially outpaces all neighboring counties, including Lee County ($67,144) by $11,650 and Lowndes County ($54,460) by $24,334. The county's per capita income of $47,771 is also the highest in its region by a significant margin.

Housing costs easily manageable

Madison County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.7% sits well below national affordability thresholds, with housing expenses consuming a small fraction of household earnings. The median home value of $286,300 reflects a prosperous housing market where high-income households can comfortably afford ownership.

Madison County: prime wealth-building opportunity

Madison County's above-national income and favorable housing-cost ratios create exceptional capacity for long-term wealth building through retirement accounts, investment portfolios, and real estate equity. High-earning households should maximize tax-advantaged savings strategies and diversified investments to compound advantages over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Madison County

via HealthByCounty

Madison County leads the state

At 75.5 years, Madison County residents live nearly a year longer than the U.S. average of 76.5 years—actually exceeding the national benchmark. With only 16.4% reporting poor or fair health, the county sits well below the national average of 18%, signaling the strongest population health in the region.

Healthiest county in Mississippi

Madison County's 75.5-year life expectancy vastly outpaces Mississippi's 70.9-year average by 4.6 years, and its 16.4% poor/fair health rate ranks lowest among all surveyed counties. This county stands as a state health leader.

Superior healthcare infrastructure

Madison County boasts 129 primary care providers per 100K residents—only Lee County rivals this density—and mental health capacity of 260 per 100K. This robust provider network translates directly to better access and more preventive care opportunities.

Highest insurance coverage rate

Madison County's 9.7% uninsured rate is the lowest in the state and well below Mississippi's 13.9% average, with 9 in 10 residents covered. Strong insurance coverage combined with ample providers creates the region's most resilient healthcare ecosystem.

Keep your coverage strong

Madison County's health success stems partly from high insurance enrollment—keep your coverage current and review your plan annually. If you're uninsured, act now: visit Healthcare.gov to join the 90% of Madison County residents with coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Madison County

via RiskByCounty

Madison County ranks among highest-risk areas

Madison County's composite risk score of 82.12 places it in the relatively moderate category, reflecting significant exposure to multiple major hazards. This score positions the county well above national averages and indicates serious disaster preparedness concerns.

One of Mississippi's most dangerous counties

At 82.12, Madison County's score substantially exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94, making it one of the state's highest-risk areas. The county's vulnerability spans multiple hazard types, with tornadoes and earthquakes driving much of the composite score.

Highest risk in the metro area

Madison County's 82.12 score exceeds all neighboring counties, including Lee County (81.27), Lincoln County (48.44), and Marion County (59.96). Madison's standout vulnerability is its extraordinary tornado risk of 95.77—the highest in its region and among the worst in the state.

Tornadoes and floods threaten residents

Madison County faces an extreme tornado risk of 95.77 and flood risk of 76.81, making it exceptionally vulnerable to severe weather events. Earthquakes also pose a significant long-term concern with a risk score of 74.49, indicating the county sits in an active seismic zone.

Strengthen storm resilience and get insurance

Madison County homeowners must prioritize comprehensive wind and hail coverage given the county's extraordinary tornado exposure, and should secure flood insurance immediately. Consider structural improvements like safe rooms or reinforced basements, and purchase separate earthquake coverage to address the county's complete hazard profile.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.