Madison, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Madison, South Dakota had a total population of 6,094, the 18th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $65,593, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 6,158 | 6,094 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $62,180 | $65,593 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $191,400 | $193,100 | +0.9% |
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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 35 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Madison Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Madison | 936 | $129,191 | 1.0% | $477,800 |
| Ramona | 538 | $78,750 | 26.2% | $85,800 |
| Brant Lake South | 211 | $107,983 | 6.2% | N/A |
| Chester | 152 | $68,333 | 0.0% | $147,500 |
| Wentworth | 138 | $62,188 | 13.8% | $83,300 |
| Brant Lake | 63 | $104,318 | 0.0% | $455,000 |
| Nunda | 40 | N/A | 27.5% | $118,800 |
| Winfred | 34 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Rustic Acres Colony | 30 | N/A | 0.0% | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belle Fourche | 5,804 | $65,071 | $222,500 | 17.1% | 10.6% |
| Sturgis | 7,086 | $54,404 | $271,200 | 24.4% | 9.2% |
| Rapid Valley | 6,975 | $83,208 | $255,500 | 19.8% | 4.5% |
| Tea | 6,786 | $120,139 | $351,100 | 47.1% | 4.7% |
| Hot Springs | 3,548 | $66,338 | $202,600 | 28.9% | 21.1% |
Population Overview
Madison is a small city located in South Dakota, within Lake County. The total population is 6,094. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Madison is 40.1 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Madison is $65,593. This is 13% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.5%. This is 21% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $193,100. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Madison is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Madison has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.3%.
Education
34.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Madison, South Dakota 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 South Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all South Dakota city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Madison, South Dakota?
Madison, South Dakota has a population of 6,094 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Madison, SD?
The median household income in Madison is $65,593, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Madison, SD?
The poverty rate in Madison is 9.5%. This means approximately 531 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Madison, South Dakota?
Madison's population is 91.3% White, 1.3% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Madison, SD?
The median home value in Madison is $193,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Madison, South Dakota?
34.4% of adults (25+) in Madison hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.