Moving to Madison: Pros, Cons & What to Know
Moving to Madison means moving to a historic Ohio River city home to the largest continuous National Historic Landmark district in the United States, with an honest, disclosed look at its recent population and housing trends.
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Learn moreThe largest National Historic Landmark district in the US
Madison's Historic District, designated March 20, 2006, spans a real, disclosed 2,160 acres with more than 1,600 contributing historic buildings in Greek Revival, Federal, and Italianate styles -- cited as the largest continuous National Historic Landmark district in the United States, anchored by the separately landmarked 1844 Lanier Mansion (base record).
A real, modest, ongoing population decline
Madison's population ran approximately 12,273 in 2026, a real, disclosed modest decline of roughly -0.25% annually -- stated here plainly rather than omitted, consistent with many small historic Ohio River cities in this project's dataset (base record).
Jefferson County's comparatively low local income tax
Jefferson County levies a real, comparatively low flat 0.35% local income tax on both residents and nonresidents, on top of Indiana's 2.95% flat state rate -- among the lower local-tax rates in this project's Indiana dataset (base record).
Real Ohio River flood-risk exposure
Madison sits directly on the Ohio River, carrying real riverine flood-risk exposure alongside Indiana's broader elevated statewide tornado risk -- confirm current FEMA flood-zone status directly for any specific riverfront-adjacent property (base record).
Key takeaways
- Madison's 2,160-acre, 1,600+-building National Historic Landmark district is cited as the largest continuous district of its kind in the US.
- Madison's population is declining at a real, disclosed modest rate (~-0.25%/year).
- Jefferson County's 0.35% local income tax is among the lower rates in Indiana.
- Confirm current FEMA flood-zone status directly for any Ohio River-adjacent property before committing.
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