Madison County
IN · Pop. 130,949 · Mixed County
Madison County sits in Indiana across 452 square miles, home to 130,949 people at 289.7 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $148,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.76%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 179-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F and average winter lows of 21.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Community Hospital of Anderson and Madison County is 2.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.76% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $148,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Community Hospital of Anderson and Madison County, with an emergency room, is just 2.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- At 289.7 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Madison County, IN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $148k
- Property tax
- 0.76%
- Growing season
- 179 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 41.4"
- Broadband
- 98.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Community Hospital of Anderson and Madison County, 2.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Madison County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Madison County?
- Madison County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 179-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F, and average winter lows of 21.8°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $148,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.76%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Community Hospital of Anderson and Madison County is 2.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore Indiana Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Indiana
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The closest counties to Madison County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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