Madison County
NY · Pop. 67,572 · Mixed County
Madison County sits in New York across 655 square miles, home to 67,572 people at 103.2 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $177,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.3% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 74.6°F and average winter lows of 14.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 46.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Community Memorial Hospital Inc is 9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $177,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Community Memorial Hospital Inc, with an emergency room, is just 9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, haylage, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 145-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.3% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 14.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Madison County, NY is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 47/100
- Median home price
- $177k
- Property tax
- 2.3%
- Growing season
- 145 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 46.3"
- Broadband
- 93.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Community Memorial Hospital Inc, 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 5b with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 74.6°F, and average winter lows of 14.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $177,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.3%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Community Memorial Hospital Inc is 9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in New York
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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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