Madison NJ Demographics & Housing Data 2026
Key Takeaways:
Madison Borough population holds steady at approximately 16,200 residents with median household income of $152,000 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS estimates
Homeownership rate of 68% creates a stable farming base of roughly 4,200 owner-occupied households according to Census housing surveys
Drew University and Fairleigh Dickinson University inject transient population and rental demand according to NJ Department of Education enrollment data
Median home price reaches $750,000 with annual transaction volume of 220 sales according to Garden State MLS records
US Tech Automations demographic segmentation workflows help agents target the right Madison homeowners at the right time
Madison is a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, located approximately 26 miles west of Midtown Manhattan. Known historically as the "Rose City" for its extensive rose-growing nurseries, Madison today anchors a community of approximately 16,200 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The borough is home to Drew University and Fairleigh Dickinson University's Florham Campus, lending an academic character to a town distinguished by its charming downtown, top-rated public schools, and NJ Transit Midtown Direct rail service according to Garden State MLS market profiles.
Population and Household Demographics
According to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data, Madison's demographic profile reflects a mature, affluent suburban community with distinctive characteristics that shape real estate demand patterns according to NJ REALTORS demographic studies.
What are the key demographics of Madison NJ? According to Census data, Madison combines high-income families with a significant student population from its two universities, creating unique housing dynamics.
| Demographic Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 16,200 | U.S. Census Bureau (2024 est.) |
| Median Age | 38.5 | U.S. Census Bureau ACS |
| Median Household Income | $152,000 | U.S. Census Bureau ACS |
| Per Capita Income | $68,500 | U.S. Census Bureau ACS |
| Homeownership Rate | 68% | U.S. Census Bureau ACS |
| Average Household Size | 2.65 | U.S. Census Bureau ACS |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 72% | U.S. Census Bureau ACS |
| Foreign-Born Population | 14.2% | U.S. Census Bureau ACS |
According to U.S. Census Bureau migration data, Madison attracts a consistent inflow of households from New York City, particularly families with school-age children seeking top-rated public schools according to NJ Department of Education rankings. According to NJ REALTORS relocation surveys, 38% of Madison buyers relocate from within the NYC metro area according to buyer origin tracking data.
Madison's 72% college-educated population according to U.S. Census Bureau education data creates a homeowner base that responds exceptionally well to data-driven marketing — exactly the type of audience that US Tech Automations automated market reports are designed to engage.
Age Distribution and Life Stage Analysis
According to U.S. Census Bureau age cohort data, Madison's population distribution reveals distinct life-stage segments that drive different real estate needs according to NAR generational housing studies.
| Age Cohort | % of Population | Housing Need | Farming Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 24% | Family housing | School district messaging |
| 18-24 | 12% | Student rentals | University proximity content |
| 25-34 | 11% | Starter homes/condos | First-time buyer automation |
| 35-44 | 16% | Move-up family homes | Upgrade trigger campaigns |
| 45-54 | 14% | Established family | Equity messaging |
| 55-64 | 12% | Pre-downsizer | Lifestyle transition content |
| 65+ | 11% | Downsizer/senior | Active adult community info |
According to NAR generational home buying research, the 35-54 age cohort representing 30% of Madison's population accounts for the highest percentage of both buying and selling activity according to transaction age analysis data. According to U.S. Census Bureau household formation estimates, Madison adds approximately 45 new households annually according to building permit records.
How does Madison's age distribution affect the housing market? According to NAR demographic impact studies, Madison's balanced age distribution creates simultaneous demand across property types — young families drive the single-family segment while empty nesters generate downsizing inventory according to Garden State MLS age-of-seller analysis.
Income and Employment Profile
According to U.S. Census Bureau income data, Madison's economic profile supports premium real estate values and sustained purchasing power according to Bureau of Labor Statistics employment reports.
| Income Bracket | % of Households | Typical Property Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50,000 | 12% | Rental market |
| $50,000-$99,999 | 15% | $350,000-$500,000 |
| $100,000-$149,999 | 18% | $500,000-$700,000 |
| $150,000-$249,999 | 28% | $700,000-$1,000,000 |
| $250,000-$499,999 | 19% | $1,000,000-$1,500,000 |
| $500,000+ | 8% | $1,500,000+ |
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Madison's primary employment sectors include financial services, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and education according to Morris County Economic Development reports. According to U.S. Census Bureau commuting data, 62% of Madison workers commute to jobs in the NYC metro area according to American Community Survey commuting patterns, with the NJ Transit Midtown Direct line serving as the primary transportation corridor.
According to NJ Department of Labor workforce statistics, Morris County maintains a 3.1% unemployment rate according to Bureau of Labor Statistics local area data, well below the national average of 4.0% according to federal employment reports.
According to NAR income correlation studies, communities with median household incomes above $130,000 demonstrate 35% lower listing withdrawal rates according to MLS performance data — Madison's $152,000 median creates ideal conditions for predictable farming outcomes.
Housing Stock Analysis
According to U.S. Census Bureau housing unit data, Madison's housing inventory reflects its evolution from a 19th-century railroad suburb to a modern affluent community according to Morris County Assessor property records.
| Housing Characteristic | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total Housing Units | 6,800 | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Owner-Occupied | 4,620 (68%) | U.S. Census Bureau ACS |
| Renter-Occupied | 1,700 (25%) | U.S. Census Bureau ACS |
| Vacant | 480 (7%) | U.S. Census Bureau ACS |
| Median Year Built | 1962 | U.S. Census Bureau ACS |
| Single-Family Detached | 55% | Morris County Assessor |
| Townhouse/Attached | 18% | Morris County Assessor |
| Condo/Apartment | 22% | Morris County Assessor |
| Multi-Family (5+ units) | 5% | Morris County Assessor |
According to Morris County Assessor valuation records, Madison's housing stock is older than the county average, with a median year built of 1962 compared to Morris County's 1972 according to Census housing age data. According to Garden State MLS renovation tracking, 34% of Madison sales involve homes with significant upgrades according to listing improvement disclosures, creating opportunities for agents to position renovation ROI data in their farming materials.
What types of homes are available in Madison NJ? According to Morris County Assessor classification data, single-family detached homes comprise 55% of Madison's housing stock, followed by condos and apartments at 22% and townhouses at 18% according to property type analysis records.
School District and Education Impact
According to NJ Department of Education school performance reports, Madison Borough Public Schools rank among the top districts in Morris County, directly influencing real estate values and buyer migration patterns according to NAR school quality studies.
| School | Grades | Enrollment | Rating | Impact on Home Values |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Road School | K-2 | 380 | Above Average | +3-5% premium |
| Central Avenue School | 3-5 | 360 | Above Average | +3-5% premium |
| Madison Junior School | 6-8 | 420 | High Performing | +5-8% premium |
| Madison High School | 9-12 | 680 | High Performing | +8-12% premium |
| Drew University | Higher Ed | 2,200 | Private | Rental demand driver |
| Fairleigh Dickinson | Higher Ed | 8,500 | Private | Rental demand driver |
According to NAR school district value studies, homes in top-rated school districts command 8-12% price premiums compared to adjacent communities with lower-ranked schools according to Zillow school district analysis. According to NJ Department of Education data, Madison High School maintains a 96% graduation rate according to state education records. According to Niche.com rankings, Madison schools rank in the top 15% statewide according to comprehensive rating methodologies.
Agents farming Madison should leverage school district data in their automated outreach according to NAR content effectiveness studies. US Tech Automations enables agents to segment contacts by household composition and deliver school-focused content to families with school-age children according to demographic filtering capabilities.
Buyer and Seller Migration Patterns
According to U.S. Census Bureau migration flow data, Madison's real estate market is shaped by predictable demographic flows that create farming opportunities according to NJ REALTORS relocation analysis.
| Migration Pattern | % of Transactions | Typical Profile |
|---|---|---|
| NYC → Madison | 28% | Young families, income $150K+ |
| Within Morris County | 22% | Move-up buyers from Morristown, Dover |
| Within Madison (upgrade) | 18% | Condo-to-house movers |
| Outbound (downsizing) | 15% | Empty nesters to 55+ communities |
| Corporate Relocation | 10% | Pharmaceutical/finance transfers |
| Out-of-State Inbound | 7% | Remote workers, lifestyle movers |
According to NJ REALTORS buyer origin studies, the NYC-to-Madison pipeline represents the largest single inbound segment at 28% of transactions according to Garden State MLS buyer source data. According to U.S. Census Bureau domestic migration estimates, Morris County gained approximately 2,100 net domestic migrants in 2024 according to population change component data.
Where do Madison NJ home buyers come from? According to Garden State MLS buyer origin tracking, 28% of Madison buyers relocate from New York City, 22% move within Morris County (often from nearby Morristown), and 18% upgrade within Madison itself according to NJ REALTORS transaction analysis.
8-Step Demographic-Driven Farming System
According to NAR demographic farming research, agents who align their outreach with community demographic profiles generate 2.7x higher response rates according to campaign effectiveness studies. Here is a proven system for Madison:
Map Madison's demographic segments using Census and tax data. According to U.S. Census Bureau block group data, identify income clusters, age concentrations, and tenure patterns within Madison's neighborhoods according to ACS detailed tables. US Tech Automations imports this data automatically.
Score homeowner move probability using tenure and equity data. According to Morris County Assessor records, cross-reference purchase dates with current valuations to calculate equity positions according to NJ Division of Taxation assessment data. Owners with 7+ years tenure and 40%+ equity are prime listing candidates according to NAR seller motivation studies.
Create demographic-targeted content sequences. According to NAR content engagement research, messaging that references specific demographic characteristics (school-age children, university proximity, commute times) generates 3x higher open rates according to email marketing benchmarks. US Tech Automations automates content personalization.
Segment your database by life stage and housing need. According to U.S. Census Bureau household data, categorize Madison contacts into young professionals, growing families, established families, pre-downsizers, and downsizers according to age and household composition signals.
Deploy university-area specific campaigns for rental investors. According to Drew University and Fairleigh Dickinson enrollment data, the combined 10,700 students create substantial rental demand according to NJ Department of Education records. Target investor-profile contacts with rental yield data.
Automate school-district market updates for family buyers. According to NJ Department of Education performance data, generate automated reports when Madison school rankings update or new enrollment data publishes according to state reporting calendars. Parents respond to school data at 4x the rate of generic market updates according to NAR engagement studies.
Track life-event triggers for conversion timing. According to NAR life-event research, births, job changes, children reaching school age, and retirement trigger 78% of move decisions according to seller motivation surveys. US Tech Automations monitors public data signals for these events.
Measure campaign performance by demographic segment. According to NAR analytics best practices, track open rates, response rates, and conversion rates separately for each demographic segment according to CRM reporting methodologies. Reallocate budget toward highest-performing segments quarterly.
Farming Technology Platform Comparison
| Feature | US Tech Automations | kvCORE | BoomTown | Ylopo | Follow Up Boss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic Data Integration | Census + County | Limited | None | None | None |
| Life-Stage Segmentation | Automated | Manual | Manual | None | Manual |
| School District Alerts | Automated | None | None | None | None |
| Migration Pattern Tracking | Yes | None | None | None | None |
| Tenure-Based Move Scoring | AI-powered | Basic | None | Basic | None |
| Per-Segment ROI Analytics | Granular | Basic | Campaign-level | Campaign-level | None |
| Madison-Specific Templates | Pre-built | Generic | Generic | Generic | None |
According to NAR technology satisfaction surveys, agents using demographic-aware farming platforms achieve 31% higher listing conversion rates than agents using general CRMs according to industry productivity benchmarks. US Tech Automations provides Madison-specific demographic segmentation calibrated to Morris County Census data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Madison NJ?
Madison Borough has a population of approximately 16,200 according to U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates. The population has remained relatively stable over the past decade, growing 2.1% since 2014 according to Census intercensal estimates. The addition of Drew University (2,200 students) and Fairleigh Dickinson Florham Campus (8,500 students) brings the daytime population significantly higher according to NJ Department of Education enrollment records.
What is the median household income in Madison NJ?
Median household income in Madison reaches approximately $152,000 according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data. This ranks Madison in the top 8% of New Jersey municipalities by income according to Census income ranking tables. Per capita income stands at $68,500 according to ACS individual income data.
How does Madison's homeownership rate compare to New Jersey?
Madison's 68% homeownership rate exceeds the New Jersey state average of 63% according to U.S. Census Bureau housing tenure data. According to NJ REALTORS market analysis, communities with homeownership rates between 65-75% provide the optimal farming environment according to turnover rate studies, balancing sufficient owner-occupied stock with healthy transaction velocity.
What are the best neighborhoods to farm in Madison NJ?
According to Garden State MLS micro-area analysis, Madison's downtown core and areas near Kings Road School offer the highest turnover rates according to deed transfer records. The Woodland Road neighborhood and areas along Madison Avenue command premium prices according to Morris County Assessor valuations. Agent farming strategies should focus on 200-400 home segments for maximum penetration according to NAR geographic farming guidelines.
How do Madison's universities affect the housing market?
Drew University and Fairleigh Dickinson University collectively enroll approximately 10,700 students according to NJ Department of Education records, creating substantial rental demand that supports investor properties according to Garden State MLS rental analysis. According to NAR university-adjacent market studies, communities with major universities maintain lower vacancy rates (Madison's 7% vs Morris County's 9%) according to Census vacancy data.
What is the average property tax in Madison NJ?
Madison's effective property tax rate stands at approximately 2.72% according to NJ Division of Taxation equalization tables. On the median-priced home of $750,000, annual property taxes total roughly $20,400 according to Morris County Tax Board records. This rate sits below neighboring Morristown's 2.85% according to state comparison data.
What percentage of Madison residents commute to NYC?
According to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey commuting data, approximately 62% of Madison workers commute to jobs in the greater NYC metro area according to journey-to-work tabulations. The NJ Transit Midtown Direct service from Madison station provides 55-65 minute service to Penn Station according to NJ Transit schedule data, making it a premier commuter location according to NJ REALTORS commuter community rankings.
How can agents use demographic data for farming in Madison?
According to NAR demographic farming research, agents who segment their Madison farm by income, age, household composition, and tenure generate 2.7x higher response rates according to campaign effectiveness benchmarks. US Tech Automations automatically ingests Census and county assessor data to create dynamic demographic segments for targeted outreach according to platform capability specifications.
According to GreatSchools.org and Niche.com 2025-2026 ratings, school district quality directly correlates with property values and farming engagement rates across the Madison area.
| School District | Rating | Proficiency Rate | Enrollment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millburn Township SD | 10/10 | 95% | 4,200 | Top 5 in state |
| Chatham Borough SD | 9/10 | 92% | 2,800 | Highly ranked |
| Madison Borough SD | 9/10 | 90% | 2,600 | Strong STEM |
| Summit City SD | 9/10 | 89% | 3,100 | Top performer |
| Morristown Town SD | 7/10 | 81% | 3,400 | Above average |
How does Madison compare to surrounding NJ communities for farming ROI? Agents who commit to consistent geographic farming in Madison typically see measurable results within 6-12 months of sustained outreach. According to the National Association of Realtors 2025 Member Profile, agents specializing in defined geographic territories earn 32% more in gross commission income compared to generalists working broader areas. The combination of Madison's stable homeownership base and predictable turnover cycle creates a foundation for farming campaigns that compound in effectiveness over time. US Tech Automations platform users report that automated market update sequences generate 3-4x higher response rates than generic farming mailers, particularly when incorporating hyperlocal data points specific to Madison's micro-market conditions. Agents leveraging CRM-driven follow-up sequences through platforms like US Tech Automations can systematically convert farming touches into listing appointments by tracking engagement metrics and adjusting outreach timing based on behavioral signals.
Conclusion: Leverage Madison Demographics for Farming Success
Madison's distinctive demographic profile — high incomes, education-oriented families, university influence, and stable homeownership — creates a real estate farming environment with predictable patterns and strong income potential. According to Garden State MLS data, 220 annual transactions at the $750,000 median generate substantial commission opportunities according to NJ REALTORS income analysis.
Agents who align their farming strategy with Madison's specific demographic segments capture more listings than those using generic approaches according to NAR effectiveness studies. US Tech Automations provides the demographic data integration, life-stage segmentation, and automated workflows needed to systematically convert Madison homeowners into clients. Launch your demographic-driven Madison farming operation today.
About the Author

Helping real estate agents leverage automation for geographic farming success.