Madison, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Madison is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 2,840. Residents earn $57,073 per year, which is 24% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
2,840 Population 372/sq mi density
$57,073 Median Income $30,987 per capita
$127,200 Home Value $128,074 Zillow
$1,015 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$57,073 median income, 3.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$127,200 home value, $1,015/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,073
24% lower than US avg
Home Value $127,200
55% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.5%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,015
13% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.4%
41% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.1%
14% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.6%
31% lower than US avg

How Madison Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,840
Median Age43.4 yrs
Density372/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

B+
Median Income$57,073
Per Capita$30,987
Unemployment3.1%
Poverty8.6%
County GDP$1,088M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$127,200
Rent$1,015
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$128,074

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity45.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression32.7%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain49.6 in/yr
Elevation1,233 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.5%
High School+91.0%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 20%
Commute18 min
Libraries4

Is Madison a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Madison receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Madison offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Madison is $57,073, 24% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.1%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Madison is $127,200, 55% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,015 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Madison enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.6 inches, including 17.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Madison has a population of 2,840 with a density of 372 people per square mile. The median age is 43.4 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.1%), with 2.5% Black.

Population

2,840
Total Population
372
People / sq mi
43.4yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
7.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.4%
Female 45.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Madison vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.0%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.0%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Madison vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Madison is $57,073, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Madison vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,073
24% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,987
Avg Weekly Wage$1,419
IRS Avg AGI$54,832

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.6%
31% below US avg
Establishments (County)420
County GDP$1,088M

Business (County)

Restaurants14
Healthcare36
Retail51
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,333
33% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.6 min
Work from Home1.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Madison is $127,200, 55% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,015 (13% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $128,074.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$127,200
55% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$128,074
Median List Price$289,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$289,000
$/Sq Ft$143
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio98.4%
Price Drops28.6%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,015
13% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$714
1 Bedroom$766
2 Bedrooms$945
3 Bedrooms$1,231
4 Bedrooms$1,380

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,333
33% below US avg
Effective Rate1.83%
In Madison, 45.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 32.7% report depression. 32.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Madison vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.4%
41% above US avg
Diabetes12.7%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure39.6%
Asthma12.8%
COPD9.2%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.3%
Physical Inactivity32.7%
Depression32.7%
Mental Distress23.7%
Physical Distress16.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.6%
Checkup Rate77.7%
Premature Death17,744/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access1.5%
Healthcare Facilities36

Crime Rates: Madison vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Madison has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average56.1°F
4% above US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.6 inches
30% above US avg
Snowfall17.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,233 ft (376 m)
Area7.6 sq mi (19.8 km²)
Population Density372/sq mi
Coordinates38.0642°N, 81.7949°W
County FIPS54005
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 57.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.6%
D 20.2%

Winner: Republican by 57.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.5%
36% below US avg
High School+91.0%
School Test Score4.81
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density372/sq mi
Total Area7.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities36
Restaurants14
Retail Stores51

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.6 min
Work from Home1.5%

Nearby Cities

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