Population 54,618 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Madison County
Household size in Madison County
| Period | Madison County | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.73 | 2.72 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 4.01 | 2.78 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.87 | 2.76 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 4.15 | 2.79 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.41 | +0.07 | −0.03 |
Madison County is a place of big households: 4.15 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 3.73, even as the national average fell. Madison County has the largest households of any Idaho county.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Madison County
| Period | Madison County | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.6 | 35.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 24.1 | 36.6 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 24.1 | 37.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 22.9 | 38.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.7 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
Madison County is young: half of its residents are under 22.9, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward families with many children. The median age has edged down from 23.6 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. Madison County has the youngest population of any Idaho county.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Madison County
| Period | Madison County | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.1% | 10.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.4% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 9.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.6% | 9.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.6% of households in Madison County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Madison County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Idaho counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Madison County
Renters in Madison County
| Period | Madison County | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.0% | 29.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 51.6% | 30.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 55.4% | 30.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 59.8% | 27.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +11.7 pts | −1.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Madison County rent: 59.8% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 11.7 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Madison County has the highest share of renters of any Idaho county.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Madison County
| Period | Madison County | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.9% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.4% | 11.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 26.2% | 10.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.4% | 9.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +10.4 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 23.4% of the housing in Madison County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 10.4 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Madison County
| Period | Madison County | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1987 | 1982 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1987 | 1984 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1995 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1996 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +7 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Madison County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1996, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1987 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the northeast. Of Idaho's 44 counties, only two have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Madison County
| Period | Madison County | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $716 | $766 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $747 | $820 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $739 | $941 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,057 | $1,407 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$341 | +$641 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Madison County costs $1,057 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $341 a month from 2006–10, a 48% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 32.0% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Madison County
Bachelor's degrees in Madison County
| Period | Madison County | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.4% | 25.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.7% | 25.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 31.7% | 27.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.5% | 31.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
About three in ten adults 25 and older in Madison County (29.5%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has edged down 0.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the center.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Madison County
| Period | Madison County | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.6% | 88.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.4% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.2% | 90.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.5% | 92.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Madison County: 98.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 1.9 points, mirroring the country. Madison County has the highest share of high school graduates of any Idaho county.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Madison County
| Period | Madison County | Idaho | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.5% | 7.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.6% | 4.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.2% | 3.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | −3.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Madison County: 9.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. No other Idaho county has higher unemployment. Unemployment is up 1.7 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Madison County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County | 4.15 | 22.9 | 4.6% | 59.8% | 23.4% | 1996 | $1,057 | 29.5% | 98.5% | 9.2% |
| Boise County | 2.32 | 52.0 | 5.6% | 9.7% | 32.9% | 1989 | $1,015 | 31.0% | 96.2% | 3.4% |
| Gem County | 2.74 | 44.3 | 10.5% | 24.0% | 4.9% | 1985 | $1,059 | 20.0% | 89.4% | 3.0% |
| Malheur County | 2.76 | 36.2 | 15.0% | 36.8% | 12.8% | 1972 | $843 | 15.4% | 82.1% | 4.7% |
| Weston County | 2.31 | 45.9 | 9.5% | 13.2% | 16.2% | 1976 | $753 | 20.8% | 91.3% | 1.4% |
| Custer County | 1.95 | 56.7 | 5.7% | 14.4% | 16.3% | 1993 | $1,227 | 31.7% | 95.2% | 2.1% |
| Jones County | 2.94 | 33.9 | 12.3% | 23.7% | 28.6% | 1973 | $543 | 27.4% | 93.2% | 2.1% |
| Lyman County | 3.54 | 36.8 | 17.8% | 30.1% | 22.4% | 1977 | $708 | 22.8% | 87.8% | 4.7% |
| Brule County | 2.58 | 41.8 | 10.0% | 23.6% | 15.6% | 1969 | $902 | 29.2% | 90.8% | 1.7% |
| Davison County | 2.22 | 41.7 | 10.0% | 38.5% | 9.2% | 1971 | $836 | 22.3% | 91.0% | 0.9% |
| Pipestone County | 2.34 | 40.6 | 8.8% | 19.2% | 8.7% | 1955 | $775 | 22.0% | 92.6% | 3.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Chilton County, AL · Cabo Rojo Municipio, PR · Calaveras County, CA · Caldwell County, TX · Callaway County, MO · Calumet County, WI · Camden County, GA · Campbell County, VA · Campbell County, WY · Carter County, OK
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Madison County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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