Madison County
MS · Pop. 110,303 · Mixed County
Madison County, Mississippi covers 714 square miles with a population of 110,303 and a density of 154.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, hay, cotton. A median home price of $286,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.72% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 221-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.4°F and average winter lows of 34.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Merit Health Madison is 4.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 221-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.72% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Merit Health Madison, with an emergency room, is just 4.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.1% reflects a stable local job base.
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 a glance
Madison County, MS is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 51/100
- Median home price
- $286k
- Property tax
- 0.72%
- Growing season
- 221 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 54.6"
- Broadband
- 99.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Merit Health Madison, 4.6 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 8b with a 221-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.4°F, and average winter lows of 34.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, cotton.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $286,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.72%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Merit Health Madison is 4.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Mississippi Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Mississippi
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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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