CountyScore

Madison County

Virginia · VA

#22 in Virginia
74.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Madison County, Virginia

Madison ranks solidly above the national median

Madison County's composite score of 72.3 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 53rd percentile nationally. The county demonstrates strong livability compared to most American communities.

Above Virginia's average, in the upper tier

With a score of 72.3, Madison exceeds Virginia's state average of 70.3, ranking among the Commonwealth's more livable counties. The county's profile stands notably above typical Virginia conditions.

Higher incomes paired with low taxes

Madison County delivers the strongest income score (37.5) among the counties surveyed, with a median household income of $82,972, well above state averages. Combined with low taxes (85.6 score, 0.594% effective rate) and moderate housing costs (71.1 score), the county attracts affluent residents.

Housing affordability moderately constrained

The cost score of 71.1 reflects a median home value of $331,400, representing the county's primary expense burden for new residents. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain incomplete, leaving important livability factors unmeasured.

Best for affluent families and professionals

Madison County excels for educated professionals, executives, and established families with solid incomes who can afford premium housing. The county delivers the optimal combination of high earning potential, low tax burden, and rural/suburban tranquility in Virginia.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.6Cost71.1SafetyComing SoonHealth73.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome37.5Risk91.6WaterComing Soon
🏛85.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠71.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼37.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡91.6
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

Fayette County
Alabama
74.2
Median income: $50,733
Gem County
Idaho
74.2
Median income: $66,245
Fulton County
Indiana
74.2
Median income: $62,878
Pike County
Indiana
74.2
Median income: $66,250
Starke County
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74.2
Median income: $62,933

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 rate is below national standard

Madison County charges an effective tax rate of 0.594%, placing it in roughly the bottom 40% nationally. While the median U.S. home pays about $2,690 annually, Madison's modest rate means homeowners here pay far less on a percentage basis.

Moderate tax burden within Virginia

Madison's 0.594% effective rate sits below Virginia's statewide average of 0.671%, making it a relatively tax-friendly option. The county ranks in the lower half of Virginia's jurisdictions for property tax rates.

Balanced between low and high neighbors

Madison's 0.594% falls between Lunenburg County (0.436%) and Lynchburg city (0.840%), offering a middle ground. It's significantly lower than the northern urban centers like Manassas (1.096%) and Manassas Park (1.136%).

Median annual tax: $1,967

Madison County's median home value of $331,400 combined with its 0.594% rate results in annual property taxes of $1,967, or about $164 monthly. Homeowners with mortgages typically escrow slightly higher amounts.

Verify your home's assessed value

Even in counties with reasonable tax rates, overassessment is common and often goes unchallenged. Madison homeowners should review their assessment notices and consider appealing if the valuation doesn't match market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Madison County

via CostByCounty

Madison offers strong affordability to earners

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.2%, Madison County households spend significantly less on rent relative to income than the national average, providing genuine breathing room in budgets. A median household income of $82,972 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $8,217, positioning residents well above the national norm.

Virginia's most affordable for income earners

Madison's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% ranks among the lowest in Virginia, well below the state average of 18.6%, reflecting both reasonable rents and strong household earnings. This combination makes Madison one of the state's standout affordability markets for those with above-average incomes.

Higher costs, higher incomes, better balance

Madison's $1,048 rent slightly exceeds some rural neighbors like Lunenburg ($780) but underbids Mathews County ($1,108); the real advantage is Madison's $82,972 median income, which outpaces all peer counties. This income-to-cost ratio is the county's true strength.

Madison's housing expense details

Renters allocate just 15.2% of their earnings to rent, while homeowners dedicate about 17.3% to mortgage payments on homes valued around $331,400. Both figures remain comfortably within national recommendations for housing cost burden.

Madison attracts high-income transplants

If you earn above $80,000 and seek a balanced housing market with strong incomes and manageable costs, Madison County delivers. Its combination of reasonable rents, substantial home values, and robust household earnings makes it ideal for professionals relocating from pricier metros.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Madison County

via IncomeByCounty

Madison exceeds national income benchmark

Madison County's median household income of $82,972 outpaces the national median of $74,755 by 11%. This rural Virginia county has cultivated a stronger economic base than the typical American community.

Upper third of Virginia counties

At $82,972, Madison County ranks solidly above Virginia's state median of $74,957, placing it in the upper tier of the Commonwealth's 133 counties and independent cities. The county's agricultural heritage and commuter access have supported above-average household earnings.

Wealthiest among rural peers

Madison's $82,972 income significantly exceeds nearby Lunenburg ($54,460) and Mecklenburg ($51,691) counties. Among rural Virginia communities, Madison's economic strength stands out and approaches some suburban areas around major metros.

Strong housing affordability remains

A 15.2% rent-to-income ratio—the lowest among these eight jurisdictions—demonstrates excellent housing affordability despite a median home value of $331,400. Madison residents enjoy comfortable housing costs while maintaining strong overall purchasing power.

Madison families positioned for growth

With above-average income and strong housing affordability, Madison County residents can aggressively fund retirement accounts and investment portfolios. This financial runway enables wealth-building strategies like real estate investment and diversified stock market participation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Madison County

via HealthByCounty

Top life expectancy in Virginia

Madison County residents live to an average of 78.4 years, exceeding both the national average of 80 years by a narrow margin and Virginia's 75.1-year average by 3.3 years. Only 16.6% report poor or fair health, one of the best rates in the state.

Among Virginia's healthiest counties

Madison's 78.4-year life expectancy ranks it near the top statewide, though its 9.4% uninsured rate remains above Virginia's 7.9% average. The county's exceptional longevity suggests strong community health fundamentals despite moderate insurance gaps.

Excellent outcomes despite sparse providers

Madison's strong health outcomes are striking given it has only 7 primary care providers per 100,000—the lowest in this regional cluster. The county likely relies on regional hubs or demonstrates exceptional community health management practices.

High life expectancy, limited local doctors

Residents enjoy exceptional health outcomes, but accessing primary care requires travel or coordination with providers outside the county. The 9.4% uninsured rate suggests some residents still struggle to afford coverage despite the county's overall wellness.

Complete your coverage picture

Madison's 9.4% uninsured rate means nearly 1 in 10 residents lack protection against major medical costs. Visit Healthcare.gov or Virginia's marketplace to find affordable plans that fit your family's budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Madison County

via RiskByCounty

Madison has the lowest composite risk score

With a composite risk score of 8.43 and a Very Low rating, Madison County represents one of the safest communities in the nation for natural disasters. The county's score is far below both the national average and Virginia's state average of 33.27.

Virginia's safest county overall

Madison County ranks at or near the bottom of Virginia's disaster risk rankings, with the lowest composite score among the eight profiled communities. This Very Low rating reflects minimal exposure across nearly all major hazard categories.

Significantly safer than surrounding counties

Madison's risk score of 8.43 is substantially lower than Lunenburg County (19.85) and dramatically lower than Mecklenburg County (54.33). The county's protected status makes it among the most naturally secure areas in central Virginia.

Wildfire risk leads modest threat profile

Madison County's highest individual risk comes from wildfire at 39.76, though this remains below state average thresholds. Tornado (13.90), flood (19.53), and earthquake (44.27) risks are all relatively modest, making the county exceptionally safe overall.

Standard coverage sufficient for low-risk area

Madison County's very low disaster risk means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most residents. However, property owners in forested areas should ensure their policies cover wildfire damage, and all residents should maintain basic emergency preparedness regardless of low-risk status.

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.