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Madison County, IN

RANK #232 / 996  ·  POP 130,545  ·  IN

PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.9%

Madison County combines solid growth with real affordability — a rare combination.

[01] Why Madison County?

Madison County, Indiana, offers a mix of small-town character and access to larger urban centers. A notable landmark is Mounds State Park, home to ancient earthworks built by the Adena-Hopewell people over 2,000 years ago, providing both historical interest and hiking trails along the White River. Located northeast of Indianapolis, Madison County is approximately 45 miles from the state capital, with Interstate 69 serving as a major transportation artery. The community maintains a relaxed atmosphere, with towns like Pendleton offering a picturesque downtown and Falls Park for outdoor enjoyment.

Life in Madison County often involves a balance of local living and commuting. The average commute time for residents is around 26.3 minutes. Public transportation options include the City of Anderson Transit System (CATS) for urban routes and Transportation for Rural Areas of Madison County (TRAM) for demand-response service in rural areas. The economy is currently experiencing growth, with employment increasing in recent years. Major employment sectors include healthcare and social assistance, and manufacturing. The county has seen investments in various sectors, including energy and manufacturing.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.1x

Below national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+3.4%

Above national median

Home Prices
+3.4%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-3.5

Harsh climate or flat terrain

Price/Rent
11x

Strong rental yield

Housing is fairly valued at 4.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Madison County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
130,545
+0.39% YoY
Median Household Income
$60,060
Median Home Value
$135,100
+3.38% 12mo
Median Rent
$888
Average Annual Pay
$49,965
+4.8% YoY
Employment
40,192
+1.4% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.4446
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
4.01%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$225,000
Days on Market
60
Slower market
Months of Supply
2.9
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.4%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
15.3%
Listings w/ Price Drops
31.4%
Building Permits (2024)
186
Single-Family Permits
186

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$907M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Liberty Energy Storage Projects (2 sites)
Jupiter Power
$500M Planned
Lone Oak Solar Farm
Invenergy
$120M Planned
SAICA Manufacturing Plant
SAICA
$120M Planned
Madison County Solar Project
Madison County Solar Project LLC
$67M Permitting
Nucor Data Systems Fabrication Plant
Nucor Data Systems
$50M Operating
Madison 138 KV SUBSTATION Battery Project
Undisclosed
$50M Planned

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +3.4% 64 percentile
Population Growth +0.4% 46 percentile
Income Growth +10.2% 82 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.3% 32 percentile
Home Price Change +3.4% 76 percentile
Rent Growth +3.5% 59 percentile
Price/Rent 11x 84 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Madison County, IN a good place to move to?

Madison County has a Boom Town Index score of 77/100, ranking #232 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.4% and a median household income of $60,060, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Madison County affordable?

The median home value in Madison County is $135,100 with median rent at $888/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4446, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Madison County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.4%. Home values changed +3.4% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Madison County?

Yes — 4.01% of Madison County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

St. Louis County, MN 87 Delaware County, IN 87 Huron County, OH 87 Sandusky County, OH 87 Strafford County, NH 87 Sauk County, WI 87 Ocean County, NJ 87 Stark County, OH 87