CountyScore

Madison County

North Carolina · NC

#3 in North Carolina
74.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Madison County, North Carolina

Madison County: 55% Above the National Median

Madison County scores 77.7 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, 57% higher than the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top tier of livable communities nationwide, signaling strong fundamentals across measured dimensions.

Top Performer in North Carolina

Madison ranks among the state's most livable counties with a score of 77.7, outpacing North Carolina's average of 72.7 by 5 percentage points. The county's above-average position reflects competitive strength in tax and cost factors across the state.

Tax Breaks and Affordable Housing Drive Appeal

Madison excels with a tax score of 88.3 and an effective tax rate of just 0.496%, among the lowest in the state. Housing affordability shines too: median home values of $263,500 and monthly rent around $764 provide solid value for families seeking stability.

Income Growth Lags Despite Low Costs

The county's income score of 21.7 reflects a median household income of $58,628, below what many peer counties offer. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality is not yet available, limiting a full livability picture.

Ideal for Budget-Conscious Families

Madison County best suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high incomes and urban amenities. The strong composite score signals a stable community, though prospective residents should research local schools and services before moving.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.3Cost83.7SafetyComing SoonHealth67.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.7Risk72.7WaterComing Soon
🏛88.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡72.7
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 →

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Mountrail County
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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's tax rate sits below national norms

Madison County's effective tax rate of 0.496% is significantly lower than the national median of 0.87%, placing it in the bottom 30% of U.S. counties. The typical Madison homeowner pays $1,307 annually—less than half the national median property tax of $2,690.

Among North Carolina's lowest-taxing counties

Madison ranks in the lowest tier statewide, with an effective rate well below North Carolina's 0.701% average. At $1,307, the median property tax is $126 lower than the state median, giving residents measurable relief.

Mountain counties cluster with Madison's rates

Madison's 0.496% rate aligns closely with McDowell County (0.517%) and Mitchell County (0.502%), making this region consistently tax-friendly. In contrast, nearby Martin County charges 1.070%, more than double Madison's rate.

On a median home, here's your annual bill

A $263,500 home—Madison's median value—triggers roughly $1,307 in annual property taxes under the current rate. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,412 when local fees are included.

Many homeowners could lower their bills

Property assessment errors are common across North Carolina, and Madison County homeowners may be overassessed on their property value or eligible tax exemptions. A formal appeal to the county assessor costs nothing and can result in measurable savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Madison County

via CostByCounty

Madison rents are well below national strain

At 15.6%, Madison County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national threshold where housing costs become unaffordable. The typical household here earns $58,628 annually while paying just $764 monthly in rent—meaning housing claims a smaller slice of paychecks than in most of America.

Among North Carolina's most affordable counties

Madison County ranks as one of the most affordable housing markets in North Carolina, with a rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% compared to the state average of 18.6%. This advantage stems from both modest rents ($764 vs. the state median of $938) and incomes that stretch further here.

Madison outperforms the mountain region

Madison's housing costs ($764 rent, $722 monthly ownership) are comparable to nearby McDowell ($741 rent, $605 ownership) and Mitchell ($744 rent, $595 ownership) counties, making it part of a genuinely affordable mountain corridor. However, renters in Nash County ($924 rent) and Martin County ($729 rent with lower incomes) face tighter affordability pressures.

Where your paycheck actually goes

Madison's median household income of $58,628 covers both rental and ownership options well: renters spend 15.6% of income on housing, while homeowners with a $263,500 median home value spend about 14.8% on monthly costs. This balance means residents have room for other expenses that higher-strain counties do not.

Considering Madison? Here's the real math

If affordable mountain living appeals to you, Madison County delivers genuine value—rents run $174 below North Carolina's average while incomes stay competitive at $58,628. Compare this to pricier neighbors like Moore County ($1,181 rent) or Mecklenburg ($1,521 rent) to see your savings potential.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Madison County

via IncomeByCounty

Madison earns below the national average

Madison County's median household income of $58,628 falls short of the U.S. median of $74,755—a gap of $16,127 per year. This puts the county in the lower half of American counties by income, though many rural counties share similar economic profiles.

Mid-range earner within North Carolina

Madison County's $58,628 median household income sits below North Carolina's state average of $61,072, ranking it in the middle tier of the state's 100 counties. The county earns slightly less per capita ($33,738 vs. state average $33,920), reflecting modest individual earning power.

Outpaces nearby rural mountain counties

Madison County earns more than McDowell County ($55,527) and Montgomery County ($55,849), positioning it above many of its neighboring Appalachian communities. However, it trails nearby Mitchell County ($58,089) and significantly lags the prosperous Piedmont region represented by Mecklenburg County ($83,765).

Housing remains affordable here

At a 15.6% rent-to-income ratio, Madison County offers strong housing affordability—well below the 30% threshold that experts consider sustainable. The median home value of $263,500 is accessible for households earning the county median, though rising property values warrant monitoring.

Build security with consistent planning

Madison County residents earning $58,628 annually have room to invest after covering basic expenses—particularly those with lower housing costs. Starting with emergency savings, then moving into retirement accounts and diversified investments, can help bridge the income gap with wealthier regions over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Madison County

via HealthByCounty

Madison County outlives the nation

At 74.7 years, Madison County's life expectancy edges past the U.S. average of 74.5 years, a small but meaningful advantage. Just 18.5% of residents report poor or fair health, below the national rate of roughly 21%, signaling better-than-average health outcomes in this rural Appalachian county.

Health edge in mountain North Carolina

Madison County ranks slightly above the state average for life expectancy at 74.7 years versus North Carolina's 74.4 years. This positions the county in the middle tier of North Carolina health rankings, reflecting stability in a region often challenged by chronic disease.

Stronger than nearby McDowell

Madison County's life expectancy of 74.7 years outpaces neighboring McDowell County's 74.3 years, though both communities face similar healthcare provider gaps. Madison has better mental health provider access at 213 per 100K compared to McDowell's 212 per 100K, offering marginally more support for behavioral health needs.

Limited primary care, better insurance

With 56 primary care providers per 100K, Madison County has fewer doctors than many urban areas but more than some Appalachian neighbors. The 10.8% uninsured rate is below the state average of 12.5%, meaning most residents have some coverage pathway for routine care.

Find your coverage today

Nearly 1 in 10 Madison County residents still lack health insurance—that's preventable hardship. Visit healthcare.gov or call North Carolina's enrollment hotline to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or employer options that fit your budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Madison County

via RiskByCounty

Madison County's low disaster risk

Madison County scores 27.35 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Very Low" rating—well below North Carolina's state average of 66.72 and far safer than many U.S. counties. This puts the county in the lower tier of natural disaster vulnerability nationally, suggesting residents face fewer compound hazards across floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes.

One of North Carolina's safest counties

Madison County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in North Carolina, with only Mitchell County (23.95) scoring lower statewide. This exceptional safety profile reflects the county's geographic advantages and makes it an outlier even within a state that experiences significant regional hazard variation.

Safer than surrounding Appalachian peers

Madison County's 27.35 score significantly outperforms neighboring McDowell County (59.22) and Mitchell County, despite sharing similar mountain terrain. The county's lower wildfire risk (62.56) and minimal tornado exposure position it as notably safer than counties at lower elevations across western North Carolina.

Wildfire and earthquake are primary concerns

Wildfires present Madison County's highest hazard score at 62.56, likely driven by forest coverage and seasonal dry conditions in the mountains. Earthquake risk (47.65) ranks second, reflecting the county's proximity to seismic activity along the Appalachian region, though both remain moderate compared to statewide baselines.

Prepare for wildfire in mountain communities

Homeowners in Madison County should prioritize wildfire preparedness through defensible space maintenance and ensuring adequate homeowners insurance with wildfire coverage. Given the county's low overall risk profile, standard homeowners and auto policies typically provide sufficient protection, but reviewing earthquake coverage may be prudent given regional seismic activity.

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.