Population 67,328 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Madison County
Household size in Madison County
| Period | Madison County | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.51 | 2.51 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.55 | 2.50 | 2.72 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.53 | 2.46 | 2.69 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.32 | 2.34 | 2.65 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.19 | −0.17 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Madison County is a place of small households, averaging 2.32 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.51 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the east and smallest in the north.
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 | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.0 | 38.9 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.8 | 39.7 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.6 | 40.7 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.5 | 41.4 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.5 | +2.5 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Madison County is 42.5 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 38.0, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the southeast, the oldest in the north.
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 | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.5% | 12.1% | 13.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 12.1% | 12.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.6% | 12.0% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.5% | 11.4% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −0.7 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Madison County than nationally: 9.5%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 1.0 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.9% | 31.6% | 44.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.7% | 32.9% | 46.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.7% | 32.9% | 46.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.7% | 31.6% | 45.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | −0.0 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Madison County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.7% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 43.8% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 2.1 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.0% | 11.2% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.4% | 11.4% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.1% | 13.0% | 11.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.9% | 9.4% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.1 pts | −1.8 pts | −0.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Madison County: 13.9% of homes are empty, 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.
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 | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1960 | 1962 | 1956 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1957 | 1963 | 1957 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1961 | 1964 | 1958 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1963 | 1967 | 1961 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Madison County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1963, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. That is in line with the rest of the Syracuse area. The median year built has moved up from 1960 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $726 | $748 | $1,095 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $737 | $794 | $1,201 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $799 | $911 | $1,426 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $962 | $1,138 | $1,794 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$235 | +$390 | +$698 | +$606 |
The median renter in Madison County pays $962 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $235 a month since 2006–10, up 32%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 30.4% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the west and lowest in the east.
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 | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.3% | 28.7% | 31.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.9% | 30.7% | 33.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.7% | 31.8% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 31.5% | 35.8% | 39.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts | +8.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a little less common in Madison County than nationally: 31.5% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 6.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the east.
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 | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.6% | 88.6% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.6% | 89.1% | 84.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.8% | 90.3% | 86.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.7% | 91.3% | 87.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +2.7 pts | +3.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Madison County is above the national rate: 92.7% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 4.1 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Madison County has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five New York counties.
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 | Syracuse area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.3% | 7.3% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.5% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.9% | 5.8% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.3% | 5.6% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | −1.7 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in Madison County than nationally: unemployment was 4.3%, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.1 points, in line with the national trend. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
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 | 2.32 | 42.5 | 9.5% | 21.7% | 13.9% | 1963 | $962 | 31.5% | 92.7% | 4.3% |
| Onondaga County | 2.32 | 41.2 | 11.2% | 34.1% | 8.2% | 1966 | $1,199 | 39.8% | 91.6% | 5.4% |
| Herkimer County | 2.31 | 44.8 | 10.1% | 23.4% | 16.1% | 1958 | $838 | 24.6% | 91.7% | 4.4% |
| Cayuga County | 2.32 | 44.3 | 12.1% | 28.6% | 13.5% | 1957 | $1,054 | 24.7% | 90.0% | 3.7% |
| Seneca County | 2.33 | 44.0 | 8.5% | 29.0% | 16.0% | 1960 | $1,016 | 25.7% | 86.0% | 4.6% |
| Montgomery County | 2.54 | 40.2 | 11.1% | 29.6% | 14.4% | 1954 | $917 | 23.3% | 88.5% | 4.4% |
| Fulton County | 2.29 | 44.8 | 12.5% | 28.6% | 16.5% | 1958 | $945 | 21.7% | 90.0% | 3.4% |
| Ontario County | 2.28 | 45.1 | 9.2% | 26.3% | 8.5% | 1973 | $1,220 | 38.2% | 93.5% | 3.6% |
| Schenectady County | 2.39 | 40.2 | 11.6% | 36.0% | 7.4% | 1958 | $1,287 | 35.9% | 90.6% | 6.4% |
| Saratoga County | 2.37 | 44.4 | 8.4% | 27.7% | 8.2% | 1983 | $1,470 | 45.5% | 94.6% | 3.2% |
| Genesee County | 2.32 | 43.0 | 9.1% | 26.2% | 5.8% | 1955 | $924 | 23.9% | 92.9% | 4.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Warrick County, IN · Cattaraugus County, NY · Cayuga County, NY · Chatham County, NC · Toa Baja Municipio, PR · Valencia County, NM · Vermilion County, IL · Walker County, GA · Walla Walla County, WA · Walton County, FL
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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