Madison
Iowa

What stands out

Against every county in America, Madison County is unusual in three ways: high-school completion is among the highest in America (97%), violent crime is in the bottom 3% of American counties (2.8 per 1,000), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 5% of American counties (5.4%). Within Iowa it ranks 2nd of 99 counties for high-school completion.

Where you are

You live in Madison County, Iowa. 16,609 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -96).

Iowa cut its income tax to a flat 3.8% in 2025 and stopped taxing retirement income for residents 55 and over in 2023, including pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals. It still has an inheritance tax, but that is being phased out and ends for deaths after 2024. Winters are long and the state's economy still moves with corn, soybean and hog prices.

Money

The typical household here brings in $88,110 a year, higher than 93% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,189. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 61% of American counties. 14% of workers work from home.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,348 a year.

Home

The median home costs $338K, pricier than 77% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $896 a month. Property tax is 1.53% of home value, roughly $3,530 a year on that median home, higher than 86% of American counties. 82% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 97% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.9 years, longer than 84% of American counties. There are 16 active physicians in the county, about 9.6 per 10,000 people. 5.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.38 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 93% of American counties. 97% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 34 points. 81% of eligible voters turned out. Under Iowa law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 51°F, highs near 63 and lows near 40, colder than 70% of American counties. About 35 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 25 out of 100, safer than 75% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 121 Mbps down, slower than 81% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.