Madison city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Madison city, Illinois has a total population of 2,788, the 440th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $44,181, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 21.4% is notably above the national average.
Madison city Quick Facts
How Madison city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Madison city Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Cities Similar to Madison city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLeansboro city | 2,750 | $46,589 | $72,200 | 18.1% | 19.7% |
| Savanna city | 2,851 | $46,094 | $75,000 | 16.3% | 15.4% |
| Dixmoor village | 2,962 | $39,861 | $75,500 | 6.4% | 27.9% |
| Mount Morris village | 2,679 | $38,162 | $117,600 | 23.9% | 20.6% |
| Hamilton city | 2,738 | $53,487 | $105,600 | 22.7% | 11.4% |
Population Overview
Madison city is a small community located in Illinois. The total population is 2,788. It ranks as the 440th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Madison city is 46.7 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Madison city is $44,181. This is 46% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 44% lower. The poverty rate stands at 30.8%. This is 163% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 21.4%. This is 269% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $51,200. Housing costs are 80% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Madison city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 44.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Madison city is Black or African American, making up 57.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (57.7% vs 13.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (5.9%) is well below the state average of 18.5%.
Education
7.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 81% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Madison city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Madison city, Illinois?
Madison city, Illinois has a population of 2,788 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Madison city, IL?
The median household income in Madison city is $44,181, which is 44% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Madison city, IL?
The poverty rate in Madison city is 30.8%. This means approximately 858 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Madison city, Illinois?
Madison city's population is 29.6% White, 57.7% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Madison city, IL?
The median home value in Madison city is $51,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is Madison city, Illinois?
7.2% of adults (25+) in Madison city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.