Madison County, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 78th-largest in North Carolina
The population of Madison County, North Carolina is 21,640 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 78th-largest county in North Carolina. The median household income is $58,628, the median home value is $263,500, and the median age is 44.5.
The population of Madison County has grown 7.5% since 2010 (20,798 → 22,352), a +0.52% annualized rate.
21,640
Population
+0.52%
Annual growth
48
People / sq mi
$58,628
Median Income
$263,500
Median Home Value
Madison County covers 450 sq mi of land at 48.1 people per square mile.
About Madison County, NC
Educational attainment is the headline number in Madison County: 31.5% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. Madison County is a county in North Carolina with a population of 21,640.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $58,628 — below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 7.6%, below the national 12.4%. A typical home is worth $263,500, with typical rent around $764.
About 31.5% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, below the 35.0% national figure. About 11.5% of workers primarily work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 32 minutes each way.
The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in Madison County usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.
Madison County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Madison County had a population of 20,798 in 2010 and 22,352 in 2024, a 7.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 22,352 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.52%.
22,352
Population (2024)
20,798
Population (2010)
22,352
Peak (2024)
0.52%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 20,798 |
| 2011 | 20,872 |
| 2012 | 20,913 |
| 2013 | 21,178 |
| 2014 | 21,217 |
| 2015 | 21,175 |
| 2016 | 21,402 |
| 2017 | 21,603 |
| 2018 | 21,659 |
| 2019 | 21,638 |
| 2020 | 21,295 |
| 2021 | 21,737 |
| 2022 | 21,912 |
| 2023 | 22,039 |
| 2024 | 22,352 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 92.0% |
| Black or African American | 1.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
44.5
Median Age
50.3%
Female
49.7%
Male
23.1%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 13.7% · Seniors (65+): 23.1%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $58,628$-11,276 vs state |
| Mean household income | $80,418 |
| Per-capita income | $33,738 |
| Poverty rate | 7.6%-1.8% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 1.4% |
| Employment-to-population | 53.6% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Madison County is professional & business services, accounting for 25.4% of workers.
How residents commute
0.1%
Drive alone
2.4%
Carpool
75.7%
Public transit
11.5%
Work from home
32.3 min
Avg commute
Housing
$263,500+$4,100 vs state
Median home value
$764
Median rent
77.9%
Homeownership rate
11,201
Total housing units
75.0%
Occupied
25.0%
Vacant
22.1%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
91.3%
With health insurance
87.0%
With broadband internet
36.0%
Foreign-born
7.5%
Veterans (18+)
18.6%
With a disability
98.2%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
90.9%
High School+
31.5%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in North Carolina
Other counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Madison County, North Carolina has a population of 21,640 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 78th-largest county in North Carolina. Population density is 48 people per square mile.
The population of Madison County has grown 7.5% since 2010 (20,798 → 22,352), a +0.52% annualized rate.
The median household income in Madison County, North Carolina is $58,628, with mean (average) household income of $80,418 and per-capita income of $33,738. 7.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Madison County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (92.0%), Hispanic or Latino (1.6%), Black or African American (1.0%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Madison County, North Carolina is 44.5 years. Residents are 50.3% female and 49.7% male.
The median home value in Madison County is $263,500 and median monthly rent is $764. 77.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 11,201 total housing units, 25.0% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Madison County, North Carolina is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 25.4% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.4%.
Charlotte is among the largest cities associated with Madison County, North Carolina, with a population of 886,283.
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Statewide data for North Carolina
Population, race, income, age, and trends across North Carolina
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.