What are the schools like in Madras, OR?

Madras is served primarily by Jefferson County SD 509J. The district operates 6 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.0:1.

What is the median household income in Madras?

The median household income in Madras, OR is $52,500 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 10.0%.

What is the weather like in Madras, OR?

Madras has an average high temperature of 43.0°F in January and 87.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 11.2 inches and annual snowfall averages 14.1 inches.

Madras, OR Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Madras, OR affordable or expensive?

Madras's cost of living index is 98, where 100 represents the national average. This means Madras is 2% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $245,000 and the median rent is $878 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Madras, OR?

Madras has a violent crime rate of 434.2 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2362.7 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Madras, OR a Good Place to Live?

Madras is a small town of 7,494 in Oregon, with a median household income of $52,500 and a 10.0% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 98 (US average = 100), which is 2% below the national average.

Strengths: Madras stands out for solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Madras is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Madras city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 98.3

Madras's overall cost of living index is 98.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Madras costs roughly 2% less than the average American city.

Metric	Madras, OR	National Avg
Median Home Value	$245,000	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$878	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	49.4%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$52,500	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Near National Average

Madras's violent crime rate is 434.2 per 100,000 residents — 14% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

434.2 /100k

Property Crime

2362.7 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Madras is served primarily by Jefferson County SD 509J. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.0:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Madras, OR	National Avg
School District	Jefferson County SD 509J	—
Elementary Schools	6	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	15.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	20.8%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	82.6%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Madras sees average highs of 43.0°F in January and 87.1°F in July, with 11.2 inches of annual precipitation and 14.1 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Madras, OR
Average High — January	43.0°F
Average High — July	87.1°F
Annual Precipitation	11.2"
Annual Snowfall	14.1"

Demographics

Metric	Madras, OR	National Avg
Population	7,494	—
Median Age	33.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	10.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	20.7 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	50.1%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.2%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	33.6%	18.9%
Asian	0.1%	6.3%
Under 18	33.2%	22.2%
65 and over	12.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Metolius, OR 5 mi Warm Springs, OR 10 mi Culver, OR 10 mi Crooked River Ranch, OR 18 mi Terrebonne, OR 21 mi

ZIP Codes in Madras

Madras, OR is covered by 1 ZIP code:

97741

Madras vs Other Cities

Madras, OR vs Metolius, OR Madras, OR vs Warm Springs, OR Madras, OR vs Culver, OR Madras, OR vs Crooked River Ranch, OR Madras, OR vs Terrebonne, OR

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Madras, OR affordable or expensive?

Madras's cost of living index is 98, where 100 is the national average. That makes Madras roughly 2% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $245,000 and median rent is $878/month.

What is the crime rate in Madras, OR?

Madras's violent crime rate is 434.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2362.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Madras?

Public schools in Madras are operated by Jefferson County SD 509J. The district has 6 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.0:1. 20.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Madras, OR a good place to live?

Madras, OR has a population of 7,494, a median household income of $52,500, and an unemployment rate of 10.0%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Madras?

Madras averages 43.0°F in January and 87.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 11.2 inches with about 14.1 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Madras?

Madras, OR is covered by 1 ZIP code: 97741.

What is the population of Madras?

The population of Madras, Oregon is 7,494 with a median age of 33.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Madras?

Key numbers for living in Madras: cost of living index 98 (100 = US average), median home $245,000, median household income $52,500, crime index 114 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Madras side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.