1st Advantage MortgageMadison County (44,423 residents) has a $87,045 median household income and $943 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Madison County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- First look: Madison County, OH
- Paychecks and income spread in Madison County
- Renting and owning in Madison County
- Jobs and commutes in Madison County
- Madison County against other Ohio counties
- How Madison County compares with nearby counties
- Towns and communities in Madison County
- What the numbers mean for Madison County borrowers
- Madison County households compared
- $7,254 a month: the Madison County median budget
- Checklist for Madison County applicants
- Who licenses lenders for Madison County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Madison County, OH
Madison County is home to about 44,423 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 53rd most populous of 88 county-level areas in Ohio. Land area is 467 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 95 per square mile. Metro area: Columbus, OH (OMB, 2023). London (10,484 people) heads the county's list of 8 Census places, 5 incorporated and 3 census-designated.
Paychecks and income spread in Madison County
Madison County households have a median income of $87,045 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 8th of 88 in Ohio.
| Households earning | Madison County | +/- vs Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.7% | -9.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.7% | -0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 35.4% | +9.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.2% | 0.0 pts |
Some 15% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 45% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 8.5% of Madison County residents in poverty, against 13.3% across Ohio. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Renting and owning in Madison County
Renters in Madison County pay a median of $943 a month, 9% below the Ohio figure of $1,034. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 42% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $250,100, about 2.9 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 78%. Half the housing stock was built before 1976.
| Home costs | Madison County | Ohio | Compared with Ohio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 78% | 67% | +10.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 46% | -3.6 pts |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 21% | -1.8 pts |
| Median home value | $250,100 | $214,800 | 16% higher |
| Median gross rent | $943/mo | $1,034/mo | 9% lower |
Madison County owners: get one secured and one unsecured quote, then compare the total cost and what you would put up as collateral (side by side).
Jobs and commutes in Madison County
Top Madison County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 16%; second, manufacturing, 14%. Relative to Ohio (4%), public administration is 3 points bigger in Madison County (7%). 3.5% of Madison County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. About 75% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 3.3% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Madison County workers | vs Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 16.2% | -8.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.4% | -0.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.7% | +0.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.1% | -0.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.2% | +3.3 pts |
| Construction | 8.6% | +2.6 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.
Madison County against other Ohio counties
Ranked against the other 87 county-level areas in Ohio, these are the Madison County figures furthest from the middle.
- Madison County ranks 7th lowest of 88 Ohio counties for households without a vehicle: 3.3%, against 7.5% statewide. Nearly every household has a vehicle, so repair costs are a common reason to borrow.
- The share of households earning $100,000 or more: 45% in Madison County. Only 6 of 88 Ohio counties are higher. Big incomes invite big loans; borrow only what you need.
- Median household income: $87,045 in Madison County. Only 7 of 88 Ohio counties are higher. A high county median can hide a wide spread, so budget from your own pay.
- Few Ohio counties match Madison County on the share of workers who work from home: 15.2% here, 13.0% for the state, ranking 10th highest of 88. Remote workers should have W-2s or contracts ready to show income.
How Madison County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (20 to 28 miles). 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Madison County; Union County is highest at $112,322 and Clark County lowest at $63,132.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County | - | $87,045 | $943/mo | 78% |
| Clark County, OH | 20 mi | $63,132 | $872/mo | 69% |
| Franklin County, OH | 21 mi | $75,176 | $1,302/mo | 53% |
| Fayette County, OH | 24 mi | $63,275 | $822/mo | 65% |
| Pickaway County, OH | 25 mi | $74,040 | $1,020/mo | 74% |
| Champaign County, OH | 25 mi | $75,556 | $905/mo | 77% |
| Union County, OH | 28 mi | $112,322 | $1,247/mo | 79% |
Towns and communities in Madison County
19,685 of Madison County's 44,423 residents live in its 8 Census places (44%); the 8 largest are listed. Incomes vary by place: $141,500 at the median in Choctaw Lake, $60,231 in London. Rent is cheapest in Mount Sterling ($835) and steepest in West Jefferson ($969). Live in one of these Madison County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | city | 10,484 | $60,231 | $916 | 2 mi |
| West Jefferson | village | 4,392 | $64,136 | $969 | 6 mi |
| Choctaw Lake | CDP | 1,985 | $141,500 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Mount Sterling | village | 1,737 | $72,692 | $835 | 14 mi |
| Plumwood | CDP | 346 | $89,355 | n/a | 8 mi |
| South Solon | village | 344 | $58,056 | $725 | 16 mi |
| Midway | village | 233 | $62,292 | $1,102 | 12 mi |
| Lafayette | CDP | 164 | $36,000 | $1,064 | 3 mi |
What the numbers mean for Madison County borrowers
Where the Madison County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Strong-credit shopping. Many Madison County households (45%) earn six figures; prequalify with several lenders at once.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Madison County households compared
24% of Madison County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 7.7%, against 6.4% for Ohio.
| Measure | Madison County | Gap to Ohio | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.2% | -7.3 pts | +2.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.5% | -4.8 pts | -4.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.3% | -4.2 pts | -2.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 10.4% | +2.2 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 15.2% | +2.2 pts | +6.5 pts |
| Median age | 41.5 | +1.8 yrs | +0.0 yrs |
| No health insurance | 7.7% | +1.3 pts | -0.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.5% | -1.3 pts | -0.9 pts |
| Minutes to work | Madison County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 29.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.5% |
| 60+ min | 3.9% |
$7,254 a month: the Madison County median budget
How much room does a median Madison County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $7,254 before taxes
- 13% goes to median rent ($943)
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,668 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Checklist for Madison County applicants
A short checklist for Madison County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Ohio borrowers.
- Ask a Madison County credit union about member loans.
Who licenses lenders for Madison County residents
The Ohio Division of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Ohio license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Ohio guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
The Ohio guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Madison County a high-income county?
Its $87,045 median ranks 8th of 88 Ohio counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Madison County?
$943 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
I own my home in Madison County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 78% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
How many towns are in Madison County?
The Census Bureau counts 8 places mainly in the county, led by London, West Jefferson, Choctaw Lake, Mount Sterling, Plumwood.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Madison County or elsewhere in Ohio, the same rules apply.