Madison
Idaho

What stands out

Against every county in America, Madison County is unusual in three ways: homeownership is among the lowest in America (40%), the home price against local income is among the most stretched in America (5.5 years of income), and unemployment is among the lowest in America (1.8%). Within Idaho it ranks 1st of 44 counties for homeownership, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Madison County, Idaho. 52,487 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -1,703).

Idaho has a flat 5.3% income tax and grew faster than almost any state between 2015 and 2023, driven by arrivals from California and Washington to the Boise area. Home prices in Ada County more than doubled in that stretch. The state offers a property-tax reduction for lower-income seniors and taxes Social Security for nobody.

Money

The typical household here brings in $53,025 a year, lower than 72% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $42,345. Unemployment runs 1.8%, lower than almost every county in America. 12% of workers work from home.

Idaho takes 4.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,555 a year.

Home

The median home costs $419K, pricier than 88% of American counties, about 5.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $893 a month. Property tax is 0.53% of home value, roughly $1,729 a year on that median home, lower than 84% of American counties. 40% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 75% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.4 years, longer than 87% of American counties. There are 54 active physicians in the county, about 10.3 per 10,000 people. 9.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.18 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 74% of American counties. 97% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 64 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 61% of eligible voters turned out. Under Idaho law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 46°F, highs near 58 and lows near 34, colder than 89% of American counties. About 15 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 37 out of 100, safer than 63% of American counties; the county has had 5 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 123 Mbps down, slower than 81% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.