What are the schools like in Madison, WV?

Madison is served primarily by Boone County Schools. The district operates 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 4 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.7:1.

What is the median household income in Madison?

The median household income in Madison, WV is $63,864 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 10.5%.

What is the weather like in Madison, WV?

Madison has an average high temperature of 44.8°F in January and 87.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 49.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 17.3 inches.

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

Q: Is Madison, WV affordable or expensive?

Madison's cost of living index is 90, where 100 represents the national average. This means Madison is 10% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $120,300 and the median rent is $696 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Madison, WV?

Madison has a violent crime rate of 185.9 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 743.5 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Madison, WV a Good Place to Live?

Madison is a small town of 2,880 in West Virginia, with a median household income of $63,864 and a 10.5% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is 10% below the national average.

Strengths: Madison stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.

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

All Madison 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: 89.8

Madison's overall cost of living index is 89.8, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Madison costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.

Metric	Madison, WV	National Avg
Median Home Value	$120,300	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$696	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	75.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$63,864	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Madison's violent crime rate is 185.9 per 100,000 residents — 51% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

185.9 /100k

Property Crime

743.5 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Madison is served primarily by Boone County Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.7:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Madison, WV	National Avg
School District	Boone County Schools	—
Elementary Schools	7	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	4	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.7:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	18.2%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	91.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Madison sees average highs of 44.8°F in January and 87.2°F in July, with 49.5 inches of annual precipitation and 17.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Madison, WV
Average High — January	44.8°F
Average High — July	87.2°F
Annual Precipitation	49.5"
Annual Snowfall	17.3"

Demographics

Metric	Madison, WV	National Avg
Population	2,880	—
Median Age	44.4	38.9
Unemployment Rate	10.5%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	16.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	95.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.7%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.0%	18.9%
Asian	0.9%	6.3%
Under 18	20.2%	22.2%
65 and over	23.4%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Danville, WV 2 mi Greenview, WV 5 mi Van, WV 8 mi Racine, WV 9 mi Comfort, WV 11 mi

ZIP Codes in Madison

Madison, WV is covered by 2 ZIP codes:

25130 25053

Madison vs Other Cities

Madison, WV vs Danville, WV Madison, WV vs Greenview, WV Madison, WV vs Van, WV Madison, WV vs Racine, WV Madison, WV vs Comfort, WV

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Madison, WV affordable or expensive?

Madison's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average. That makes Madison roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $120,300 and median rent is $696/month.

What is the crime rate in Madison, WV?

Madison's violent crime rate is 185.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 743.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Madison?

Public schools in Madison are operated by Boone County Schools. The district has 7 elementary, 2 middle, and 4 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.7:1. 18.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Madison, WV a good place to live?

Madison, WV has a population of 2,880, a median household income of $63,864, and an unemployment rate of 10.5%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. 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 Madison?

Madison averages 44.8°F in January and 87.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 49.5 inches with about 17.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Madison?

Madison, WV is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 25130, 25053.

What is the population of Madison?

The population of Madison, West Virginia is 2,880 with a median age of 44.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Madison?

Key numbers for living in Madison: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $120,300, median household income $63,864, crime index 44 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Madison side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.