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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Madison County

North Carolina · 21,193 residents · 449.615 sq mi
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The short version

Madison County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $46,190. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $200,700. With a median age of 45.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 45.9
US median: 38.8
Average education
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 59%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
21,193
+8%since 2000
from 19,635 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
47 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 44 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
45.9
+17%since 2000
from 39.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K18K19K21K22K1990201020202024Madison County
202422K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,190
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,985 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,184
+69%since 2000
from $16,076 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
31.1%
+12.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 15.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade12.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade6.7%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction2.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$200,700
+59%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $84,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$686
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $367 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
76.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 76.6% in 2000
23.2% rent
Afford Score
4.3
+60%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Madison County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.8%(19,004)
Black0.8%(160)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(266)
Asian0.2%(43)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.9%(1,162)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic90.8%(19,233)
Black0.9%(197)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(748)
Asian0.4%(84)
Other1.8%(384)
Diversity Score16.3%(3,456)
Segregation Score20.7%(4,378)
Diversity Score
16
+176%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
21
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.1%
+14.0 ptssince 2000
from 16.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.8%
+19.4 ptssince 2000
from 69.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.3%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.4 min
+45%since 2000
from 21.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.6%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 76.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.6%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.4%
−4.8 ptssince 2011
from 8.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
54.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2011
from 54.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.3%
−21.9 ptssince 2009
from 57.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Female
50.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Foreign born
1.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.2%
−75.0 ptssince 2013
from 86.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Madison County

Logan County
Pop 21,633
Meriwether County
Pop 21,516
Winston County
Pop 23,829
McDuffie County
Pop 21,640
Places similar to Madison County
Head to head

Compare Madison County to nearby counties

MADISON COUNTY VS
Buncombe County
Income$74,436+61%
Home value$391,800+95%
Population277,417+1130%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MADISON COUNTY VS
Yancey County
Income$58,709+27%
Home value$243,100+21%
Population19,084−15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MADISON COUNTY VS
Cocke County
Income$48,016+4%
Home value$158,100−21%
Population37,889+68%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MADISON COUNTY VS
Greene County
Income$56,194+22%
Home value$207,500+3%
Population73,831+227%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Madison County, North Carolina?

Madison County, North Carolina has about 21,193 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Madison County, North Carolina?

The typical household in Madison County, North Carolina earns about $46,190 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Madison County, North Carolina expensive?

In Madison County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $200,700, and the typical rent is about $686 a month.

How educated are people in Madison County, North Carolina?

About 30.1% of adults age 25 and over in Madison County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Madison County, North Carolina?

About 14.3% of people in Madison County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Madison County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Madison County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,240 residents, a change of about 25 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

7 census tracts
Census Tract 106.02Census Tract 105Census Tract 107Census Tract 106.01Census Tract 101Census Tract 102Census Tract 104
3 ZIP codes
ZIP 28753ZIP 28754ZIP 28743
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →