CountyScore

Madison County

Tennessee · TN

#91 in Tennessee
64.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Madison County, Tennessee

44% Above National Livability Median

Madison County scores 72.0 on the composite index, 44% higher than the national median of 50.0. While the lowest-scoring county in this group, it still significantly outperforms most American counties.

Below Tennessee State Average

Madison County scores 72.0, notably below Tennessee's state average of 76.3. Among Tennessee's 95 counties, Madison ranks in the lower-middle tier for overall livability.

Moderate Tax Relief and Income Growth

Madison County provides a tax score of 85.1 with a 0.612% effective tax rate and an income score of 21.4 supporting a median household income of $58,189. These dimensions offer reasonable fiscal conditions and moderate earning potential.

Housing Costs Rising Faster Than Peers

The cost score of 74.9 is the lowest among these eight counties, with a median home value of $189,700 and notably higher rent at $1,076/month. This reflects housing pressures unique to Madison County in this group.

Consider When Comparing Tennessee Options

Madison County serves those prioritizing middle-income stability and moderate tax burden, but families should compare it carefully against neighboring counties offering superior housing affordability. The county works best for those with strong local income sources valuing convenience to urban areas.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.1Cost74.9SafetyComing SoonHealth63.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.4Risk7.9WaterComing Soon
🏛85.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡7.9
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 →

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Del Norte County
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Median income: $66,780
Elkhart County
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Dallas County
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Median income: $102,349

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 ranks among highest-tax counties

Madison County's effective tax rate of 0.612% nearly triples the national median of 0.22%, placing the county in the top 10% nationally. Homeowners here bear a substantial tax burden despite median values of $189,700—below the U.S. median of $281,900.

Second-highest in Tennessee

Madison County ranks second among Tennessee's 95 counties in effective tax rate, trailing only Lauderdale County. The 0.612% rate is 20% above the state average of 0.511%, imposing one of the steepest tax bills in the state.

Significantly higher than peer counties

Madison's 0.612% rate far exceeds nearby Loudon County (0.398%), Macon County (0.406%), and all adjacent jurisdictions. Madison residents face substantially higher tax burdens than those in surrounding communities.

Median tax bill over $1,100

Madison County homeowners with a median-value home of $189,700 pay $1,161 annually in property tax. This exceeds the state average tax bill of $1,016 despite below-average home values, reflecting the county's elevated rate.

Assessment appeals pay dividends here

With Madison's high tax rate, even modest overassessments cost homeowners significantly. Residents should absolutely request assessment reviews and file appeals if their homes are appraised above comparable market values.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Madison County

via CostByCounty

Madison's rental burden significantly exceeds peers

At 22.2% of income spent on rent, Madison County residents face a notably heavy housing burden—well above both the national average and Tennessee's 17.6% state benchmark. The median income of $58,189 combined with the state's highest sample rent of $1,076 monthly creates genuine affordability pressure for renters.

Least affordable county in Tennessee sample

Madison ranks last in affordability among these eight counties, with a rent-to-income ratio of 22.2% that exceeds the state average by 4.6 percentage points. This disparity suggests housing demand or supply constraints pushing rents higher than regional norms.

Rents spike despite modest home values

Madison's $1,076 monthly rent—$81 higher than Loudon's despite lower median income—paired with a modest median home value of $189,700 creates an unusual market dynamic. This suggests strong rental demand but weaker ownership fundamentals, likely reflecting proximity to employment centers or housing shortage.

Renters squeezed more than homeowners

Renters bear a 22.2% housing burden at $1,076 monthly, while homeowners pay only 15.8% at $913—a stark 6.4 percentage point gap favoring ownership. This disparity suggests Madison's rental shortage creates inflated rents while property ownership remains moderately priced.

Consider homeownership if Madison calls

Madison County's high rents make it the least affordable for renters in this sample, but homeownership offers relief with much lower monthly burdens. If relocating to Madison, budget aggressively for rent or prioritize saving for a down payment to unlock the ownership advantage.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Madison County

via IncomeByCounty

Madison County income below national median

Madison County's median household income of $58,189 trails the national median of $74,755 by $16,566, placing it in the bottom 40% of U.S. counties. The county's per capita income of $32,221 reflects a mix of agricultural, service, and light manufacturing employment.

Slightly below Tennessee's state average

At $58,189, Madison County's median household income is essentially aligned with Tennessee's state average of $58,994, making it representative of the typical Tennessee county. The county ranks near the statewide middle, with balanced economic conditions across the region.

Mid-tier earnings in this county group

Madison County's $58,189 median ranks in the middle of this eight-county grouping, exceeding western counties but trailing Lincoln ($63,115) and Loudon ($80,296). The county's position reflects a moderately diversified local economy with stable employment.

Rising housing costs strain affordability

Madison County's 22.2% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among these eight counties, indicating housing costs consume over one-fifth of household income—above the recommended 20% threshold. The median home value of $189,700 creates affordability pressure despite moderate county-level incomes.

Prioritize housing stability before investing

Madison County households earning $58,189 should first stabilize housing costs, as the elevated rent-to-income ratio limits discretionary savings. Once housing is secured, even modest investments of $75–$150 monthly can build meaningful retirement and education funds over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Madison County

via HealthByCounty

Above-average life expectancy for region

Madison County residents live an average of 73.2 years, approaching the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years and exceeding most peers in this cluster. Just 21.6% of adults report poor or fair health, notably better than the national average of about 18%. Strong healthcare infrastructure directly supports this comparative health advantage.

Exceeds Tennessee's state average significantly

Madison County's life expectancy of 73.2 years exceeds Tennessee's 72.4-year state average by 0.8 years and ranks among the best in the state. The 21.6% poor/fair health rate reflects effective population health management. Madison County demonstrates the impact of robust healthcare institutions and provider availability on community health.

Highest provider density in the region

Madison County leads all eight counties with 139 primary care providers and 316 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—levels typically found in major urban areas. This exceptional density reflects the presence of Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and regional medical institutions. Residents enjoy unprecedented access to both physical and behavioral health specialists.

Low uninsured rate plus abundant providers

Madison County's uninsured rate of 10.8% is the lowest in this eight-county sample and below Tennessee's 11.9% state average. Combined with the region's highest provider density, this means most residents can readily access needed care without financial barriers. The county's healthcare ecosystem is unusually well-resourced compared to rural peers.

Stay covered in Madison County's strong system

Madison County's health advantage depends on residents staying engaged with healthcare and maintaining insurance coverage year-round. If you're uninsured, Healthcare.gov offers affordable plans that connect you to the county's robust provider network. Consistent coverage maximizes the benefit of living in a well-resourced healthcare community.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Madison County

via RiskByCounty

Madison County faces above-average risk

Madison County scores 92.08 on the composite risk index with a Relatively Moderate rating, far exceeding Tennessee's average of 52.45. This is the highest-risk county among the eight profiled, driven by exceptionally high tornado and earthquake exposure.

Top-tier risk in Tennessee

Madison County ranks among the highest-risk counties in Tennessee for natural disasters. Its 92.08 score places it in the upper 10% statewide for composite natural disaster exposure.

Significantly riskier than peers

Madison County's risk profile far exceeds adjacent Lauderdale (71.56), Lawrence (69.66), and all other neighboring counties in the region. It stands apart as the most hazard-exposed county in west-central Tennessee.

Tornadoes and earthquakes dominate

Tornadoes represent an exceptional threat at 97.20—among the highest in the nation—while earthquakes at 98.19 create equally severe seismic risk. Flood exposure of 72.65 adds a third critical hazard, making Madison uniquely vulnerable.

Comprehensive coverage is essential

Madison County residents need a comprehensive insurance portfolio: earthquake insurance (98.19 risk), flood insurance (72.65), and enhanced windstorm/hail coverage (97.20 tornado risk). Review your policies annually to ensure limits match your property's replacement cost.

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.