The Town Files

Madison County, North Carolina

21,867 people. The median home is worth $284,600 (typical North Carolina town: $228,900) and the median household earns $58,531.

Towns in Madison County

Towns in Madison County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Mars Hill2,007$294,700$81,42927.6
Marshall777$282,100$56,72846.7
Hot Springs520$179,200$44,68844.5

People and housing

Madison CountyTypical North Carolina town
Median home value$284,600$228,900
Median rent$780$969
Median household income$58,531$60,458
Median age44.541.1
Bachelor's degree or higher32.2%24.5%
Below the poverty line12.1%14.3%

Jobs and pay

4,310 jobs in 2024, average pay $47,583 a year.

Largest industries in Madison CountyRetail524 jobs · $24,659Manufacturing487 jobs · $70,681Hotels & restaurants370 jobs · $22,907Construction304 jobs · $55,491Other services144 jobs · $39,107Arts & recreation126 jobs · $23,848
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Madison County0%2%4%6%8%10%12%2000200420082012201620202023 3.2%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 637 storm events in Madison County from 1996 to 2026, with 7 deaths.

Storm events in Madison County by type since 1996Hail68Flood7Drought34High Wind31Heavy Snow99Flash Flood37Strong Wind7Winter Storm13Winter Weather188Cold/Wind Chill17
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Madison County has been included in 23 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
January 24, 2026Winter StormEM-3637: Severe Winter Storm
September 28, 2024Tropical StormDR-4827: Tropical Storm Helene
September 26, 2024Tropical StormEM-3617: Hurricane Helene
October 1, 2022HurricaneEM-3586: Hurricane Ian
September 8, 2021HurricaneDR-4617: Remnants Of Tropical Storm Fred
August 2, 2020HurricaneEM-3534: Hurricane Isaias
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).