Madison County
LA · Pop. 9,757 · Rural County
Madison Parish, Louisiana covers 624 square miles with a population of 9,757 and a density of 15.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, cotton, corn. The median home price is $91,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.23%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 255-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.9°F and average winter lows of 37.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 56.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Madison Parish Hospital is 4.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 255-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.23% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $91,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Madison Parish Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A poverty rate of 36.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Madison County, LA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 100/100
- Median home price
- $91k
- Property tax
- 0.23%
- Growing season
- 255 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 56.3"
- Broadband
- 97.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Madison Parish Hospital, 4.8 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 Parish?
- Madison Parish is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 255-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.9°F, and average winter lows of 37.5°F. The established crops are soybeans, cotton, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $91,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.23%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Madison Parish Hospital is 4.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Louisiana 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 Louisiana
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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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