Just north of Jackson, Mississippi, Madison has gone out of its way to keep its suburban image pleasing to the eye. The city, named after former US President James Madison, was founded as a railroad town for the Illinois Central Railroad in 1856. Today, Madison is one of the most populated cities in the state and has seen steady growth since the turn of the 21st century, rising from a population of 24,149 in the 2010 US census to 27,747 in the 2020 census. The city is mostly residential, and its convenience to major highways makes it easy for commuters to travel to some of the major employers in Madison County, Jackson State University, Nissan and Amazon. “I credit Mayor Mary Hopkins Butler for the growth that the city has had because she is so particular about the commercial construction and what she allows in here,” says Steve Houck, broker and owner of Real Estate Partners, who has been selling homes in the area for 25 years. “In Madison, there are no apartments, there are no billboards, and the signs for businesses can’t be above the roof of the buildings. We have a Taco Bell and Chick-fil-a, but they don’t look like other Taco Bells or Chick-fil-a’s. They’re fancy.”
Madison, MS is ranked the number one safest city in Mississippi.
The historic district of Madison is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and art centers.
Highway 51 runs directly through Madison, providing access to multiple businesses.
Madison is convenient to Highway 55, making it easy for commuters to travel.
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Farmhouses and ranches throughout Madison
The community’s wooded subdivisions showcase a variety of home styles and prices, with a good inventory of houses on the market. Ranch-style homes start in the mid-$200,000s and can go to around $500,000, while contemporary neo-eclectic homes sell between $400,000 and $700,000. Madison’s higher-end homes prominently feature farmhouse style — a favorite of local homebuyers — and can go from the $600,000s to $1.5 million. “There’s some good housing communities in Madison,” says Selena Lovejoy, a broker with The Lovejoy Group. “There’s a huge range of properties in the Madison area, there’s a good number of properties that are over a million.”
Homes in Madison, MS, often boast brick exteriors for a timeless look.
New construction townhouse communities are emerging in Madison.
New construction Colonials can be found in Madison.
Madison features farmhouses located within gated communities.
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High marks for Madison County Schools
Madison County Schools, the seventh-best district in the state, serves the Madison community. “When people ask me about all this growth here and what the biggest reason is, my opinion is that it’s the school system,” Houck says. “Whenever I have people coming into Madison from out of state, they mention the schools.” On the area’s east side, kids start at Madison Avenue Elementary School for kindergarten through second grade. The school received an A-minus grade from Niche. Third and fifth graders head to Madison Upper Elementary School, which received an A. Meanwhile, the A-rated Madison Station Elementary School has kindergarten through fifth grade on the west side of the neighborhood. All Madison students come together at A-graded Madison Middle School, B-plus graded Rosa Scott High School for ninth grade, and A-graded Madison Central High School. Madison Central ranks fourth among Mississippi high schools in the US News and World Report’s College Readiness Index, which measures the proportion of students taking and passing Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams.
Madison Middle School is a highly rated, public school located in Madison, Ms.
Madison Station Elementary School is a highly rated, public school located in Madison, Ms.
Madison Central High School is a highly rated, public school located in Madison, Ms.
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Commutes via I-55
A car-dependent area, Madison gives residents access to the highways that cut through the neighborhood. Interstate 55 is the major north-south thoroughfare, with a 10-mile drive north to employers such as Amazon and Nissan in Canton, or a 15-mile drive south to employers like the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. For longer journeys from Madison, the Madison Airport at Bruce Campbell Field — which was once a military training airport and still has three World War II-era hangars — serves more than 15 charter and private flights daily, on average. Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport is a 17-mile drive from the community and offers commercial air travel. Madison residents also use the Ross R Barnett Reservoirs dam, which is a two-way road, to travel between Madison County and Rankin County which is across the water.
The Madison Airport handles 6,000 planes annually at Bruce Campbell Field.
Highway 55 is a key north-south route that connects to Madison.
Bruce Campbell Field in Madison is a public airfield for recreational and private flights.
Ross R. Barnett Reservoir's dam is a two-way road connecting Madison County and Rankin County.
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Strawberry Cafe and boutiques in downtown
With suburban shopping centers along the area’s highways alongside a quaint downtown area, residents have plenty of options for shopping or dining. In Madison’s old train depot, the Strawberry Cafe sits right at the center of the city and serves southern specialties like shrimp and grits. Diners can then walk around the corner to boutiques like Persnickety and Apple Annies, which sit across from each other on Main Street. Meanwhile, chain restaurants and a Kroger line Highway 51 just east of downtown, and a Walmart and Lowe’s are accessible via Grandview Boulevard just off Interstate 55.
Apple Annie's Gift Shop is a charming store in Madison.
Strawberry Cafe in Madison is known for its delightful Southern dishes.
Persnickety, a fine gifts shop in Madison, specializes in unique items.
Kroger, located along Highway 51 in Madison, is easily accessible for residents.
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Access to “The Rez”
Just a mile from the center of Madison, Strawberry Patch Park features a playground for kids, and walkers can stroll around its lake. Liberty Park also has a playground for kids to scamper around, while Little League teams take over the eight baseball and softball fields each spring. But one of the area’s main outdoor attractions is the Barnett Reservoir, known locally as “The Rez.” The 33,000-acre lake makes up part of Madison’s eastern border and offers activities like boating and fishing. The Simmons Arboretum is a 10-acre green space that has several walking paths in a forested setting.
The Rez offers residents of Madison a chance for outdoor fun.
Simmons Arboretum is a 10-acre green space in Madison.
Strawberry Patch Park is a major park for the residents of Madison.
Liberty Park features 8 lighted baseball/softball fields.
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Madison’s annual car show
The city of Madison puts on plenty of family-friendly events, from holiday celebrations to live music and festivals. But one of the biggest is the annual antique car show, held each October. “They close down the streets around it, and thousands of people come,” Houck says. “Old muscle cars and things like that. But Madison has lots of events, and it’s all very family-oriented.” The city also hosts events throughout the year, some held at the Madison Square Center for the Arts. The building was constructed in the early 1900s and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The center is home to the Christmas Tree Lighting in the wintertime and the Downtown Madison Farmers Market. The farmers market is a weekly staple during the summertime growing season, where local farmers and vendors sell fresh veggies, fruit and baked goods.
Car lovers gather to admire classics at the Scarecrow Cruise in Madison.
The Madison Square Center for the Arts is a vibrant venue for art and community activities.
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Important to Know
Madison prides itself on being one of the safest cities in Mississippi. According to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Madison reported 756 crimes in 2023, down from the 836 reported in 2022. As of September of 2024, the city has reported 380 crimes from the Madison Police Department, trending downward like previous years.
Madison received a relatively moderate risk index from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, with the highest risks from flooding and tornados. Most of the flood risk is along Brashear Creek, which stems from the Pearl River and runs along the southern side of the city. Lake Castle and Cypress Lake, on the city’s northwestern end, are on a floodplain but don’t pose a large flood threat.
Many of Madison County’s medical facilities are a few miles from Madison. St. Dominic Hospital, a 571-bed facility, offers outpatient services and a continuing care retirement center and is about 10 miles from Madison. Madison Ridgeland Medical Clinic is a little closer to home, about 5 miles south of the city. It is a privately owned outpatient clinic that offers an array of services, including physicals, Pap smears, cholesterol and cancer screening, among others.
Written By
Robert Breckenridge
Photography Contributed By
Dimitri Fevrier
Video By
Samantha Houtchens
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Selena Lovejoy,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Madison, MS sell after 49 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Madison, MS over the last 12 months is $395,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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