RANK #365 / 1001 NAT · #5 / 15 MS · POP 111,647
1YR FORECAST: +1.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
Madison County, Mississippi, is known for its scenic Ross Barnett Reservoir, a 33,000-acre body of water that forms part of its southeastern border and offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water sports. The county, part of the greater Jackson metropolitan area, is located in central Mississippi, with its county seat, Canton, situated about 30 miles north of Jackson. Commutes to Jackson are generally under 20 minutes by car. The area maintains a suburban feel, with towns like Madison and Ridgeland offering a blend of community and amenities. The Natchez Trace Parkway also runs through the county, providing additional outdoor recreation options like hiking and biking trails.
Life in Madison County often appeals to families and professionals, with a focus on quality public education. The Madison County School District consistently receives high ratings. The local economy has seen recent growth, particularly with investments in technology infrastructure, including data centers. The county also has a history of manufacturing and commercial development, with ongoing projects aimed at expanding retail and mixed-use spaces. These developments contribute to a landscape that balances residential appeal with evolving economic opportunities.
Madison County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.2% runs below the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.1x — 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: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Madison County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
AWS Data Center Campuses
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
|
$10,000M | Under Construction |
|
Madison County Advanced Power Station (Natural Gas)
Entergy Corporation
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Nissan Canton Plant EV Conversion
Nissan
|
$500M | Completed |
|
Ragsdale Solar Park (100 MW)
EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA)
|
$150M | Operating |
|
Madison County Conference Center at Prado Vista
N/A (Madison County, private developers)
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 63/100, Madison County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $83,441 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in MS.
Housing in Madison County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $311,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,186/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Madison County's population is growing — up +1.2% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.9%). Home values shifted +1.2% 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 4.55% 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.