1st Advantage MortgageMadison County households have a median income of $60,042 and median rent of $1,123 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Who lives in Madison County
- Household income in Madison County
- Housing costs in Madison County
- Jobs and commutes in Madison County
- The communities that make up Madison County
- Regional comparison for Madison County
- A Madison County household budget, worked through
- Madison County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Madison County
- Who licenses lenders for Madison County residents
- A Madison County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Madison County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Madison County's population at 99,295; only 15 of Tennessee's 95 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 557 square miles, that is close to 178 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Jackson, TN metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 6 Census places inside Madison County, Jackson leads by population with about 68,435; 3 of the 6 are incorporated.
Household income in Madison County
Madison County households have a median income of $60,042 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 45th of 95 in Tennessee.
| Yearly household income | Madison County | Gap to Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.6% | +5.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.9% | +0.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.0% | -2.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.5% | -3.5 pts |
Some 30% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 27% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 18.2%, 4 points higher than the state's 13.8%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.469 here. 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.
Housing costs in Madison County
A typical Madison County rental runs $1,123 a month including utilities, which is 6% below Tennessee. By the Census definition, 54% of Madison County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $211,800, about 3.5 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 62%. Half the housing stock was built before 1986.
| Cost | Madison County | Tennessee figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,123/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $211,800 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 62% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.2% | 8.1% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 10% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Jobs and commutes in Madison County
By the Census industry count, 28% of employed Madison County residents work in education and health care and 17% in manufacturing. Compared with Tennessee, the county leans toward education and health care (28% against 22%). Averaged over the five survey years, 7.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 76% drive to work alone and 8% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Madison County | Compared with Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.5% | +6.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.3% | +4.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.4% | -0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | -1.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.0% | -0.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.0% | -1.2 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.
The communities that make up Madison County
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Madison County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 71,774 people, so roughly 28% of residents live outside any named place. Three Way has the highest median household income on the list ($88,125) and Jackson the lowest ($53,032), counting places with at least 500 residents. This guide covers each of the 6 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | city | 68,435 | $53,032 | $1,145 | 3 mi |
| Three Way | city | 2,008 | $88,125 | $1,646 | 12 mi |
| Pinson | CDP | 565 | $53,984 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Beech Bluff | CDP | 437 | $69,034 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Medon | city | 201 | $71,250 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Mercer | CDP | 128 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Regional comparison for Madison County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (18 to 28 miles). Income ranges from $46,069 in Hardeman County to $62,755 in Gibson County; 2 of these neighbors top Madison County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County | - | $60,042 | $1,123/mo | 62% |
| Chester County, TN | 18 mi | $59,341 | $756/mo | 75% |
| Crockett County, TN | 22 mi | $62,165 | $857/mo | 72% |
| Henderson County, TN | 25 mi | $55,136 | $745/mo | 73% |
| Haywood County, TN | 25 mi | $50,472 | $762/mo | 61% |
| Gibson County, TN | 27 mi | $62,755 | $819/mo | 69% |
| Hardeman County, TN | 28 mi | $46,069 | $812/mo | 72% |
A Madison County household budget, worked through
Here is the Madison County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $5,004 a month: gross income for a household at the Madison County median
- Rent at the median, $1,123, takes 22% of that
- Under a 40% cap, $2,001 total minus rent leaves $878
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Madison County residents: age, schooling, coverage
27% of Madison County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 10.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Madison County | Tennessee | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.3 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.6% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.5% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.1% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.9% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.5% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.2% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.0% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 44.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.1% |
| 60+ min | 5.4% |
Before borrowing in Madison County
Based on the Madison County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 10% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 18% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Tight rental budgets. With 54% of Madison County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Who licenses lenders for Madison County residents
The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Tennessee license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Tennessee state guide for the statewide picture.
A Madison County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in 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.
- A Tennessee license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Madison County?
$60,042 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $69,595 for Tennessee. It ranks 45th of 95 in the state.
Is Madison County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,123 against $1,189 statewide, and 54% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Madison County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Jackson, Three Way, Pinson, Beech Bluff, Medon.
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.
Is there a Madison County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Tennessee it is the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions.