CountyScore

Madison County

Nebraska · NE

#80 in Nebraska
65.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Madison County, Nebraska

Madison County exceeds national standards

Madison County's composite score of 65.9 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 32%, placing it solidly above average for livability across the United States. This above-average ranking reflects adequate affordability and cost management despite some mixed indicators.

Below Nebraska's average performance

Madison County's score of 65.9 falls slightly below Nebraska's state average of 71.2, placing it in the middle-to-lower tier of Nebraska counties. This suggests some challenges relative to other communities statewide.

Housing remains reasonably affordable

Madison County offers moderate affordability with a median home value of $196,000 and median rent of $851/month, yielding a cost score of 78.3. A median household income of $64,637 provides a workable foundation for families managing housing expenses.

Risk profile and health need attention

Madison County's environmental risk score of 39.1 is notably the lowest among these eight counties, signaling potential environmental or disaster vulnerability. Health outcomes (73.1) and income potential (25.6) also lag behind other Nebraska communities, limiting overall quality of life.

A middle-ground choice with environmental caution

Madison County suits practical families seeking moderate affordability and stability but willing to accept environmental trade-offs. It's a reasonable option if you prioritize proximity to mid-sized infrastructure over maximum safety margins.

Score breakdown

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

Tax64.7Cost78.3SafetyComing SoonHealth73.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.6Risk39.1WaterComing Soon
🏛64.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡39.1
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

Siskiyou County
California
65.9
Median income: $55,499
Clark County
Indiana
65.9
Median income: $72,298
Ness County
Kansas
65.9
Median income: $66,107
Boone County
Kentucky
65.9
Median income: $94,752
Clay County
Minnesota
65.9
Median income: $77,664

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 taxes rival the national median

Madison County's effective tax rate of 1.336% sits above the national average, placing it in the upper-middle range of American counties. The median property tax of $2,619 nearly matches the national median of $2,690, despite Madison's lower median home value of $196,000.

Madison ranks among Nebraska's highest-tax counties

At 1.336%, Madison County's effective rate is Nebraska's 4th highest, exceeding the state average of 1.281% by more than half a percentage point. The median property tax of $2,619 is the highest in the dataset, pushing residents well above Nebraska's $1,972 state median.

Madison pays considerably more than neighbors

Madison County's 1.336% rate significantly exceeds nearby Merrick County (1.172%) and Nance County (1.197%). With a median property tax of $2,619, Madison homeowners pay roughly $650 more annually than those in neighboring Merrick County ($1,969).

Madison homeowners carry a heavier tax load

On a $196,000 median home value, Madison County residents pay approximately $2,619 annually in property taxes. With mortgage-related assessments, costs reach around $2,520; without a mortgage, they climb to $2,808—among the highest in the region.

Madison appeals could yield significant savings

Given Madison County's above-average tax burden, homeowners facing assessments that don't match current market conditions should consider filing an appeal. Many Madison residents may recover hundreds or even thousands in overpaid taxes through a successful assessment challenge.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Madison County

via CostByCounty

Madison County's rents rise above state and national norms

At 15.8%, Madison County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds both the Nebraska average (14.2%) and represents meaningful housing pressure on residents. With a median household income of $64,637 and median rent of $851 per month, housing costs eat deeper into paychecks here than in most of the state.

Madison County faces above-average affordability challenges

Madison County ranks among Nebraska's least affordable counties, with a 15.8% rent-to-income ratio that significantly exceeds the state average of 14.2%. The $851 monthly rent is the highest among peer rural counties, straining household budgets across the county.

Madison County rents strain compared to neighbors

Madison County's $851 rent stands out—Logan ($725), Loup ($650), McPherson ($653), and Merrick ($772) all offer cheaper options. Higher median home values ($196,000) also suggest Madison's housing market commands a regional premium that stresses affordability.

Nearly 16% of income flows to rent alone

Renters spend $851 monthly while homeowners pay $975, both consuming an above-average share of the $64,637 median household income. At 15.8% of income devoted to rent, Madison County residents have less cushion for other expenses than most Nebraska neighbors.

Madison requires careful budget alignment before moving

Madison County's combination of higher rents and median home values ($196,000) means affordability here depends on above-average income. Compare Madison's 15.8% rent burden to neighboring counties—you may find better value just a few miles away.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Madison County

via IncomeByCounty

Madison County below U.S. income median

Madison County's median household income of $64,637 falls about $10,120 short of the national median of $74,755. While below average nationally, the county shows stronger economic positioning than many rural peers across the country.

Near Nebraska state average earnings

Madison County's $64,637 median income sits slightly below Nebraska's state average of $66,880, trailing by $2,243. The county ranks in the middle tier statewide, reflecting moderate economic conditions compared to other Nebraska communities.

Mixed performance versus region

Madison County earns more than Loup ($60,156), McPherson ($61,316), and Morrill ($59,773), but trails Nance ($65,438) and Logan ($71,650). Regional income variation reaches nearly $12,000 between the highest and lowest earners in this cluster.

Housing costs rise above comfort zone

Madison County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among these eight counties, signaling growing housing pressure on household budgets. With a median home value of $196,000—also the highest in the group—housing affordability deserves careful evaluation for many families.

Budget strategically around housing costs

Madison County residents should prioritize housing efficiency before investing, since rent and mortgages consume nearly 16% of income. Once housing is optimized, redirect savings into retirement accounts and diversified investments to build family wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Madison County

via HealthByCounty

Madison County's Life Expectancy Edge

Madison County residents live to an average of 78.3 years, outpacing Nebraska's state average of 77.5 years by nearly a full year. However, 16.8% of residents report poor or fair health, suggesting some underlying health challenges despite the longevity advantage.

Madison Leads Nebraska in Longevity

Madison County ranks among Nebraska's healthier counties by life expectancy at 78.3 years. Yet its 9.2% uninsured rate runs slightly above the state average of 8.1%, indicating a small population without consistent insurance access.

Madison Compared to Regional Counties

Madison County's 78.3-year life expectancy exceeds most surrounding counties, though its 16.8% poor/fair health rate is among the region's highest. The county supports 62 primary care providers and 634 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, providing robust healthcare infrastructure.

Strong Provider Access in Madison

Madison County maintains 62 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, offering solid access to routine care. Mental health support is particularly robust at 634 providers per 100,000, yet 9.2% of residents remain uninsured, creating gaps in who can access these services.

Close Madison's Coverage Gap

With 9.2% of Madison County residents uninsured, there's work to do. Visit Healthcare.gov to compare plans or call 1-800-318-2596 to see if you qualify for Medicaid or subsidized coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Madison County

via RiskByCounty

Madison County faces elevated multi-hazard risk

Madison County's composite risk score of 60.88 places it in the Relatively Low category but well above the national baseline. The county grapples with exposure to tornadoes, wildfires, and flooding simultaneously, making it Nebraska's riskiest county profiled here.

Madison County: Nebraska's hazard hotspot

Madison County scores 60.88, more than double Nebraska's state average of 25.80, ranking it as the highest-risk county among those profiled. This composite score reflects significant exposure across multiple natural hazard types.

Madison County outpaces all regional counterparts

Madison County's risk score of 60.88 is substantially higher than Merrick County (42.94), Morrill County (27.83), and all other neighboring counties. It stands distinctly as the region's most hazard-exposed area.

Tornadoes, wildfires, and floods create triple threat

Madison County faces significant tornado risk (83.08), wildfire risk (79.74), and flood risk (62.75)—the three highest scores among Nebraska counties profiled. This convergence of hazards demands comprehensive preparedness planning.

Triple-threat insurance: essential, not optional

Homeowners in Madison County should carry comprehensive policies covering tornadoes, wildfires, and flooding—including separate flood insurance, as standard policies exclude water damage. Regular roof inspections and storm shelter access are critical investments.

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.