1st Advantage MortgageAbout 78% of Madison County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $84,323. 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
- First look: Madison County, VA
- Madison County's most unusual numbers
- Madison County income bands
- What it costs to live in Madison County
- Employment and commuting in Madison County
- Madison County next to its neighbors
- Places inside Madison County
- More Madison County figures
- Reading the Madison County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Madison County median
- Checklist for Madison County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Virginia
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Madison County, VA
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Madison County's population at 14,044; only 101 of Virginia's 133 county-level areas are larger. Its 321 square miles average 44 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. Madison County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Brightwood is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 1,325 people (9% of the county total).
Madison County's most unusual numbers
Out of every Virginia county, Madison County is most unusual on these measures.
- On households without a vehicle, Madison County sits near the bottom of Virginia at 2.3%, 9th lowest of 133. Nearly every household has a vehicle, so repair costs are a common reason to borrow.
- The share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 39% in Madison County. Only 24 of 133 Virginia counties are lower. Rents are manageable for most, which can leave space for savings.
Madison County income bands
$84,323 is the median household income for Madison County, set against $93,170 for Virginia. That places it 41st among Virginia's 133 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Madison County | Gap to Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.3% | +0.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.7% | +3.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.4% | +2.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.7% | -6.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 43% of Madison County households make $100,000 or more, and 18% make less than $35,000. Census counts 10.8% of Madison County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Virginia. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Madison County median.
What it costs to live in Madison County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,166 in Madison County versus $1,579 statewide. About 4 in 10 Madison County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. With a median value of $370,300, a typical Madison County house costs 4.4 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 78% of homes. The median year built is 1980. Nationally, Madison County's $1,166 rent is 33% above the middle county.
| Measure | Madison County | Virginia | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 78% | 67% | +10.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 49% | -9.3 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,166/mo | $1,579/mo | 26% lower |
| Mobile homes | 2.9% | 4.3% | -1.4 pts |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 25% | -1.1 pts |
| Median home value | $370,300 | $383,700 | 3% lower |
At a $370,300 median value, many Madison County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Employment and commuting in Madison County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 15%. Madison County over-indexes on retail trade: 15% versus 10% in Virginia. Unemployment in Madison County, ACS five-year: 4.3%; Virginia: 4.3%. 23% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Madison County workers | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.9% | +1.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.8% | +5.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.5% | -4.3 pts |
| Construction | 11.1% | +4.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.3% | -1.6 pts |
| Public administration | 6.0% | -2.9 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 next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Greene County at 13 miles out to Charlottesville city at 28. Richest neighbor: Culpeper County, $100,049. Poorest: Page County, $57,037. Madison County: $84,323.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County | - | $84,323 | $1,166/mo | 78% |
| Greene County, VA | 13 mi | $89,808 | $1,309/mo | 83% |
| Culpeper County, VA | 18 mi | $100,049 | $1,423/mo | 75% |
| Orange County, VA | 18 mi | $94,008 | $1,205/mo | 79% |
| Page County, VA | 19 mi | $57,037 | $879/mo | 72% |
| Rappahannock County, VA | 20 mi | $83,380 | $1,290/mo | 73% |
| Charlottesville city, VA | 28 mi | $74,824 | $1,540/mo | 44% |
Places inside Madison County
Places, by size: the top 2 of 2. Roughly 89% of Madison County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. From Brightwood to the smallest crossroads, Madison County residents share this guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightwood | CDP | 1,325 | $70,625 | $958 | 5 mi |
| Madison | town | 273 | $65,625 | $990 | 2 mi |
More Madison County figures
Degree holders: 27% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 5.0%, against 6.9% for Virginia.
| Residents | Madison County | Difference from Virginia | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.0% | -15.2 pts | +4.9 pts |
| Median age | 46.4 | +7.4 yrs | +4.9 yrs |
| Work from home | 11.7% | -6.6 pts | +3.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 2.3% | -3.8 pts | -3.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 10.7% | +2.3 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.0% | -1.9 pts | -2.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 10.8% | +0.9 pts | -2.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | +0.1 pts | -0.1 pts |
| Commute length | Madison County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.0% |
| 60+ min | 12.4% |
Reading the Madison County data as a borrower
Where the Madison County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Vehicle repairs. 23% of Madison County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Fixed incomes. Madison County's median age is 46.4. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Consolidation math. With 43% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
Budget math at the Madison County median
DTI math using Madison County medians ($84,323 income, $1,166 rent):
- Start: $7,027 gross per month ($84,323 / 12)
- Less median rent of $1,166, which is 17% of it
- $1,364: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Madison County's.
Checklist for Madison County applicants
Steps that save money for Madison County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- 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.
Checking a lender's license in Virginia
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Madison County borrowers answers to the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Madison County?
$84,323 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $93,170 for Virginia. It ranks 41st of 133 in the state.
How does Madison County rent compare with Virginia?
$1,166 locally versus $1,579 for the state, 26% below.
Can Madison County owners borrow against a $370,300 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
What are the biggest places in Madison County?
By population: Brightwood, Madison. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Are Madison County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.