1st Advantage MortgageMadison County (35,532 residents) has a $63,128 median household income and $881 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Madison County offer.
On this page
- A quick profile of Madison County
- Income in Madison County compared with Nebraska
- Labor force snapshot: Madison County
- Where Madison County differs from the rest of Nebraska
- The Madison County housing market in figures
- Madison County next to its neighbors
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Madison County
- Budget math at the Madison County median
- Borrowing situations common in Madison County
- Madison County households compared
- Steps before you apply in Madison County
- Nebraska lender licensing
- Beyond Madison County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Madison County
With an estimated 35,532 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Madison County ranks 8th of 93 in Nebraska for population. It covers 573 square miles of land, or about 62 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 6 Census places inside Madison County, Norfolk leads by population with about 26,054; 6 of the 6 are incorporated.
Income in Madison County compared with Nebraska
Madison County households have a median income of $63,128 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 70th of 93 in Nebraska.
| Household income | Madison County | vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.4% | +4.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.3% | +4.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.2% | -6.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.1% | -2.3 pts |
25% under $35,000 and 28% at $100,000 or more: that is the Madison County income split. Madison County counts about 4,652 residents below the poverty line, 13.1% of the population. Gini index for Madison County: 0.474. A household earning below the $63,128 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Labor force snapshot: Madison County
Education and health care (24%), manufacturing (15%) and retail trade (12%) lead Madison County's job mix. Relative to Nebraska (10%), manufacturing is 4 points bigger in Madison County (15%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.0% in Madison County. About 79% drive to work alone and 5% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Madison County workers | vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.9% | -0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.5% | +4.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | +1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.9% | -0.4 pts |
| Construction | 6.5% | -0.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.1% | -3.4 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.
Where Madison County differs from the rest of Nebraska
- On population, Madison County sits near the top of Nebraska at 35,532, 8th highest of 93. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
- Madison County ranks 9th highest of 92 Nebraska counties for households without a vehicle: 6.9%, against 5.4% statewide. Car-free households may need loans less for repairs but more for moves.
- On the share of commutes over 45 minutes, Madison County sits near the bottom of Nebraska at 5%, 12th lowest of 93. Short commutes keep vehicle costs down, which can free up room for savings.
The Madison County housing market in figures
A typical Madison County rental runs $881 a month including utilities, which is 18% below Nebraska. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 38% of renter households here. Median value $208,500; median income $63,128; ratio 3.3. The ownership rate is 65%. Median construction year: 1974. Against the median U.S. county, Madison County rent is about level with.
| Cost | Madison County | Nebraska figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 45% | -7.4 pts |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 22% | +3.4 pts |
| Median gross rent | $881/mo | $1,072/mo | 18% lower |
| Median home value | $208,500 | $238,600 | 13% lower |
| Owners | 65% | 67% | -1.1 pts |
| Vacant units | 7% | 8% | -0.8 pts |
| Mobile homes | 3.4% | 2.9% | +0.5 pts |
Madison County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Madison County's, from 22 to 32 miles away. Income ranges from $66,105 in Antelope County to $80,687 in Stanton County; all six of these neighbors top Madison County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County | - | $63,128 | $881/mo | 65% |
| Stanton County, NE | 22 mi | $80,687 | $902/mo | 78% |
| Platte County, NE | 24 mi | $71,552 | $897/mo | 72% |
| Pierce County, NE | 25 mi | $72,357 | $884/mo | 78% |
| Boone County, NE | 28 mi | $74,947 | $850/mo | 82% |
| Antelope County, NE | 30 mi | $66,105 | $692/mo | 79% |
| Wayne County, NE | 32 mi | $66,215 | $800/mo | 61% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Madison County
31,584 of Madison County's 35,532 residents live in its 6 Census places (89%); the 6 largest are listed. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $40,675, Battle Creek over Newman Grove. Rent is cheapest in Tilden ($697) and steepest in Madison ($971). Norfolk and every other Madison County community use this county guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk | city | 26,054 | $58,884 | $875 | 12 mi |
| Madison | city | 2,079 | $62,738 | $971 | 10 mi |
| Battle Creek | city | 1,456 | $95,536 | $960 | 6 mi |
| Tilden | city | 936 | $69,118 | $697 | 15 mi |
| Newman Grove | city | 885 | $54,861 | $744 | 14 mi |
| Meadow Grove | village | 174 | $49,063 | n/a | 11 mi |
Budget math at the Madison County median
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.
- $5,261 a month: gross income for a household at the Madison County median
- Rent at the median, $881, takes 17% of that
- At 35%, room after rent is $960 a month
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,486 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $881, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Borrowing situations common in Madison County
What the Madison County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Madison County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Madison County households compared
Degree holders: 24% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 7.5%, against 7.2% for Nebraska.
| Madison County | vs Nebraska | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.7% | -10.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
| Work from home | 5.6% | -5.4 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 13.1% | +2.5 pts | -0.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.9% | +1.5 pts | +1.4 pts |
| No high school diploma | 8.9% | +1.1 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.5% | +0.4 pts | -0.3 pts |
| Median age | 37.4 | +0.2 yrs | -4.1 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.0% | -0.1 pts | -1.4 pts |
| Commute length | Madison County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 64.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 5.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.7% |
| 60+ min | 2.0% |
Steps before you apply in Madison County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Madison County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Madison County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Nebraska borrowers.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Nebraska lender licensing
Before sharing details with a lender, a Madison County resident can confirm its license with the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. Nationally, Madison County residents can file with the CFPB. More on Nebraska: Nebraska personal loans.
Beyond Madison County
For statewide rules and data, see the Nebraska guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Madison County a high-income county?
Its $63,128 median ranks 70th of 93 Nebraska counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Madison County?
$881 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Does this page cover Norfolk?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Madison County, such as Madison, Battle Creek, Tilden.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Madison County or elsewhere in Nebraska, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in Madison County check a lender's license?
With the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.