1st Advantage MortgageThe median Madison County household earns $61,963, and 17% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Madison County by the numbers
- The Madison County job picture
- Household income in Madison County
- Madison County housing compared with Georgia
- Places inside Madison County
- Counties near Madison County
- More Madison County figures
- Before borrowing in Madison County
- Room for a loan payment in Madison County
- Licensing and complaints for Madison County
- Steps before you apply in Madison County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Madison County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Madison County's population at 31,528; only 58 of Georgia's 159 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 282 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 112 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metropolitan area. Of the 6 Census places inside Madison County, Comer leads by population with about 2,029; 6 of the 6 are incorporated.
The Madison County job picture
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 13%. Construction stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 20% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 3.3% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Madison County share | +/- vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Construction | 12.5% | +5.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.7% | +1.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.4% | +0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.4% | -4.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.0% | -0.6 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Household income in Madison County
The median household income in Madison County is $61,963; statewide it is $77,353, so Madison County runs 20% below Georgia as a whole. That places it 61st among Georgia's 159 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Madison County | Difference from Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.4% | +4.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.1% | +6.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.0% | -3.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -7.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 28% of Madison County households make $100,000 or more, and 26% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 17.2%, 4 points higher than the state's 13.4%. For a borrower in Madison County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Madison County housing compared with Georgia
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $972 in Madison County versus $1,393 statewide. By the Census definition, 54% of Madison County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $219,700, or 3.5 years of median income. The ownership rate is 77%.
| Cost | Madison County | Georgia figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $972/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $219,700 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 26% | n/a |
Because most Madison County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Places inside Madison County
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 17% of Madison County residents live in one of the 6. Colbert has the highest median household income on the list ($75,469) and Hull the lowest ($43,333), counting places with at least 500 residents. Live in one of these Madison County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comer | city | 2,029 | $52,891 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Danielsville | city | 952 | $67,500 | $719 | 0 mi |
| Hull | city | 832 | $43,333 | $1,114 | 9 mi |
| Colbert | city | 806 | $75,469 | $1,304 | 6 mi |
| Ila | city | 526 | $54,375 | $945 | 6 mi |
| Carlton | city | 245 | $84,375 | $1,313 | 11 mi |
Counties near Madison County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Madison County's, from 15 to 21 miles away. Income ranges from $53,046 in Franklin County to $89,544 in Jackson County; 2 of these neighbors top Madison County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County | - | $61,963 | $972/mo | 77% |
| Clarke County, GA | 15 mi | $53,625 | $1,219/mo | 41% |
| Franklin County, GA | 17 mi | $53,046 | $844/mo | 77% |
| Oglethorpe County, GA | 20 mi | $75,034 | $913/mo | 84% |
| Jackson County, GA | 20 mi | $89,544 | $1,126/mo | 79% |
| Hart County, GA | 21 mi | $59,385 | $844/mo | 78% |
| Elbert County, GA | 21 mi | $58,450 | $844/mo | 71% |
More Madison County figures
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. 15.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Madison County | Georgia | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.9 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.1% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.6% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.6% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.3% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.3% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.2% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.9% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Madison County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 19.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.1% |
| 60+ min | 8.5% |
Before borrowing in Madison County
Based on the Madison County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 16% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Commuter costs. 20% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 31% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- 54% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Room for a loan payment in Madison County
Here is the Madison County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $5,164 gross per month ($61,963 / 12)
- Median rent: $972, or 19 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,093 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Licensing and complaints for Madison County
Consumer lenders serving Madison County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Georgia that is the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Georgia guide.
Steps before you apply in Madison County
Quick steps for Madison County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
The Georgia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Madison County earn?
The median is $61,963; 28% earn $100,000 or more and 26% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Madison County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $972 against $1,393 statewide, and 54% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Madison County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 77% of Madison County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Comer?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Madison County, such as Danielsville, Hull, Colbert.
Is the fit check different in Madison County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.