RANK #551 / 996 · POP 92,955 · KY
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.5%
A notable feature of Madison County, Kentucky, is Fort Boonesborough State Park, a reconstructed 18th-century fort marking an early settlement in Kentucky by Daniel Boone. The county is in east-central Kentucky, where the Bluegrass region meets the Appalachian foothills. It is about a 25- to 30-minute drive south of Lexington via I-75. The community offers a blend of urban, suburban, and rural environments, with outdoor recreation opportunities at places like Lake Reba Park and the Berea Pinnacles, known for hiking trails and scenic views.
Life in Madison County offers a lower cost of living compared to the national average. The county is home to Eastern Kentucky University and Berea College, contributing to a college-town atmosphere in Richmond and Berea. The public school system is rated above average. The economy is supported by sectors such as manufacturing, education, and healthcare. Recent economic developments include investments in advanced manufacturing and infrastructure projects aimed at attracting more businesses.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Madison Solar Project
ACCIONA
|
$120M | Planned |
|
Central Kentucky Regional Business Park
Lexington-Fayette Urban County, Madison County, Scott County, City of Berea (partnership)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Richmond Industrial Park South III Site Development
Richmond Industrial Development Corp. (RIDC)
|
$50M | Completed |
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 45/100, ranking #551 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.6% and a median household income of $59,797, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Madison County is $200,600 with median rent at $826/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2981, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.6%. Home values changed +2.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.68% of Madison County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.