RANK #118 / 1001 NAT · #7 / 28 IN · POP 131,900
1YR FORECAST: +2.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +36%
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.
Madison County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +3.6% runs below the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.4x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Madison County ranks #118 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 88/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $63,037 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
By national standards, Madison County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $161,300, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.39 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $939/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Madison County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.4%). Home values shifted +3.6% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.43% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Madison County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.