RANK #143 / 996 · POP 265,512 · IL
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.5%
Madison County, Illinois, is often recognized for its historical significance, particularly as the starting point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition from Camp Dubois in Wood River. Located directly across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri, the county offers a blend of suburban and more rural communities. Commuting to St. Louis is a common practice, facilitated by major interstates and the Madison County Transit system, which also provides extensive local bus services and a vast network of bikeways. The county features diverse natural scenery, from the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi to prairie landscapes, with numerous parks and trails for outdoor recreation.
Life in Madison County appeals to families and professionals, with communities like Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, and Troy often cited for their quality of life. The economy is shaped by its proximity to a major metropolitan area and its historical industrial roots. Recent economic activity reflects investment in sectors such as logistics, energy, and advanced manufacturing, alongside ongoing infrastructure improvements. Educational opportunities are available through public school districts and institutions like Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.3x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Data Center Campuses (Proposed)
Multiple Developers (e.g., Cloverleaf Infrastructure)
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
IDOT Highway and Multimodal Program
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
|
$720M | Planned |
|
Gateway Commerce Center & Lakeview Commerce Park Expansion
Multiple (e.g., Amazon, FedEx, P&G)
|
$500M | Operating |
|
Utility-Scale Battery Storage (MISO Zone 4 Allocation)
Illinois Power Agency (IPA) Procurements
|
$450M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Madison County has a Boom Town Index score of 86/100, ranking #143 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.6% and a median household income of $71,759, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Madison County is $159,400 with median rent at $938/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4502, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.6%. Home values changed +4.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.47% of Madison County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.