1st Advantage MortgageThe median Madison County household earns $75,250, and 6% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Madison County by the numbers
- Renting and owning in Madison County
- Household income in Madison County
- Work, industries and travel time in Madison County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Madison County
- Counties near Madison County
- Room for a loan payment in Madison County
- What the numbers mean for Madison County borrowers
- Madison County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before you sign
- Who licenses lenders for Madison County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Madison County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Madison County's population at 9,223; only 23 of Montana's 56 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 3,588 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 3 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Madison County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 13 Census places inside Madison County, Sheridan leads by population with about 869; 4 of the 13 are incorporated. Because Madison County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Renting and owning in Madison County
A typical Madison County rental runs $1,000 a month including utilities, which is 7% below Montana. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 23% spend half or more. Home values center on $470,100, or 6.2 years of median income. The ownership rate is 81%.
| Housing | Madison County | Montana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,000/mo | $1,081/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $470,100 | $375,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 36% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.7% | 9.4% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Household income in Madison County
At $75,250, the typical Madison County household income is 15% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Band | Madison County | Compared with Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 16.1% | -6.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.0% | +6.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.9% | +2.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.0% | -2.0 pts |
About 16% of households earn under $35,000, while 35% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 6.2%, 5 points lower than the state's 11.5%. 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.
Work, industries and travel time in Madison County
By the Census industry count, 14% of employed Madison County residents work in education and health care and 14% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Compared with Montana, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (14% against 6%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.1% in Madison County. About 62% drive to work alone and 21% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Madison County share | +/- vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 13.9% | -9.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 13.8% | +7.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 13.7% | +3.2 pts |
| Construction | 13.5% | +4.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.7% | +4.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.5% | -3.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Madison County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Madison County
13 Census places fall mainly inside Madison County; the 13 biggest are below. They account for 2,739 residents, leaving about 70% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Madison County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheridan | town | 869 | $87,321 | $888 | 16 mi |
| Ennis | town | 777 | $69,650 | $854 | 9 mi |
| McAllister | CDP | 202 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Twin Bridges | town | 201 | $57,188 | $981 | 25 mi |
| Virginia City | town | 129 | $61,875 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Brandon | CDP | 115 | $110,577 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Harrison | CDP | 95 | $72,656 | $1,078 | 27 mi |
| Alder | CDP | 92 | $42,500 | $717 | 9 mi |
| Silver Star | CDP | 89 | $48,438 | n/a | 31 mi |
| Pony | CDP | 78 | $66,667 | n/a | 23 mi |
| Jeffers | CDP | 60 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Norris | CDP | 17 | n/a | n/a | 20 mi |
| Mammoth | CDP | 15 | n/a | n/a | 24 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Counties near Madison County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (39 to 72 miles). Jefferson County leads the group on income ($95,490), Beaverhead County trails ($61,268), and Madison County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County | - | $75,250 | $1,000/mo | 81% |
| Gallatin County, MT | 39 mi | $93,528 | $1,694/mo | 61% |
| Beaverhead County, MT | 49 mi | $61,268 | $837/mo | 66% |
| Silver Bow County, MT | 53 mi | $61,754 | $863/mo | 71% |
| Jefferson County, MT | 56 mi | $95,490 | $925/mo | 84% |
| Park County, MT | 68 mi | $70,047 | $976/mo | 69% |
| Broadwater County, MT | 72 mi | $70,374 | $955/mo | 88% |
Room for a loan payment in Madison County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Madison County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Madison County: $6,271
- Rent at the median, $1,000, takes 16% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,258 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Madison County's.
What the numbers mean for Madison County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Madison County borrowers.
- Long drives. With 21% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Madison County budgets.
- Older households. A 52.2 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Madison County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 33% of adults over 25. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Madison County | Montana | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.2 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 32.6% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.1% | 5.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.1% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 1.6% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 20.5% | 12.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.2% | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Madison County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.3% |
| 60+ min | 15.2% |
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Madison County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Who licenses lenders for Madison County residents
Consumer lenders serving Madison County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Montana that is the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Montana guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
The Montana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Madison County earn?
The median is $75,250; 35% earn $100,000 or more and 16% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Madison County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,000 a month; 41% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Madison County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 13 Census places: Sheridan, Ennis, McAllister, Twin Bridges, Virginia City.
Does living in Madison County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Madison County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who regulates personal lenders for Madison County residents?
The Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Montana; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.