Madison, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Madison, North Carolina had a total population of 2,242, the 322nd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $52,593, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 10.3% is notably above the national average.
Madison Quick Facts
How Madison Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,198 | 2,242 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $49,964 | $52,593 | +5.3% |
| Median home value | $144,900 | $184,900 | +27.6% |
How Madison Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Madison Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Rockingham County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eden | 15,356 | $47,260 | 19.2% | $120,700 |
| Reidsville | 14,585 | $42,921 | 21.1% | $138,800 |
| Wentworth | 2,692 | $68,500 | 18.1% | $170,300 |
| Mayodan | 2,401 | $38,446 | 22.8% | $120,600 |
| Stoneville | 1,094 | $44,630 | 28.3% | $150,600 |
| Ruffin | 423 | N/A | 6.8% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Madison
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bladenboro | 2,249 | $52,337 | $99,500 | 13.6% | 27.3% |
| Badin | 2,184 | $53,145 | $160,200 | 12.3% | 19.6% |
| Hildebran | 2,207 | $55,703 | $193,900 | 13.7% | 21.1% |
| Burnsville | 2,082 | $50,997 | $243,500 | 25.0% | 26.1% |
| Grandy | 2,245 | $62,847 | $306,000 | 22.6% | 6.9% |
Population Overview
Madison is a small community located in North Carolina, within Rockingham County. The total population is 2,242. It ranks as the 322nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Madison is 47.5 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 13.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Madison is $52,593. This is 27% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.0%. This is 39% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 10.3%. This is 118% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $184,900. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 57.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Madison is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 33.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (33.9% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
15.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Madison, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Madison, North Carolina?
Madison, North Carolina has a population of 2,242 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Madison, NC?
The median household income in Madison is $52,593, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Madison, NC?
The poverty rate in Madison is 8.0%. This means approximately 179 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Madison, North Carolina?
Madison's population is 59.1% White, 33.9% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Madison, NC?
The median home value in Madison is $184,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Madison, North Carolina?
15.0% of adults (25+) in Madison hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.