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Madison, IN

Frequently asked questions

Madison, IN

Madison is a city in and the county seat of Jefferson County, Indiana, United States, along the Ohio River. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 11,967. Over 55,000 people live within 15 miles (24 km) of downtown Madison. Madison is the largest city along the Ohio River between Louisville and Cincinnati. Madison is one of the core cities of the Louisville-Elizabethtown-Madison metroplex, an area with a population of approximately 1.5 million. In 2006, the majority of Madison's downtown area was designated a National Historic Landmark—133 blocks of the downtown area is known as the Madison Historic Landmark District.

Madison is located at 38°45′N 85°24′W (38.750, −85.395), on the north side of the Ohio River. It is bordered to the south, across the river, by the city of Milton, Kentucky. U.S. Route 421 passes through the center of town, crossing the Ohio into Kentucky on the Milton–Madison Bridge. US-421 leads north 26 miles (42 km) to Versailles, Indiana, and south 23 miles (37 km) to Campbellsburg, Kentucky. Indiana State Road 7 has its southern terminus in Madison and leads northwest 23 miles (37 km) to Vernon. Indiana State Road 56, the Ohio River Scenic Byway, is Madison's Main Street, leading east (upriver) 20 miles (32 km) to Vevay and west 23 miles (37 km) to Scottsburg. Louisville is 48 miles (77 km) southwest of Madison by highway, and Cincinnati is 68 miles (109 km) to the northeast.

Madison is bordered to the west by Clifty Falls State Park, encompassing the canyon of Big Clifty Creek and its tributaries, with several waterfalls, as well as high ground rising 400 feet (120 m) above the Ohio River valley. According to the 2010 census, Madison has a total area of 8.842 square miles (22.90 km²), of which 8.57 square miles (22.20 km²) (or 96.92%) is land and 0.272 square miles (0.70 km²) (or 3.08%) is water.

Madison was laid out and platted in 1810, and the first lots were sold in 1811 by John Paul. It had busy early years due to heavy river traffic and its position as an entry point into the Indiana Territory along the historic Old Michigan Road. Madison's location across the Ohio River from Kentucky, a slave state, made it an important location on the Underground Railroad, which worked to free fugitive slaves. George DeBaptiste's barbershop in town became a nerve center of the local group. By 1850, Madison was the third-largest city in Indiana (after New Albany and Indianapolis), and among the 100 largest cities in the U.S.

Madison prioritizes health and wellness, providing residents access to various facilities and programs through the Norton King's Daughters' Hospital. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Madison Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Fit For The King, Planet Fitness, and Adult Programming. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Madison, such as the Little Clifty Falls and Hoffman Falls Loop. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Madison IN, are Historic District, Clifty Falls State Park, and Madison Railroad Station.

Population: 12,208 (2023). ZIP code: 47250. Area code: 812. Elevation: 489 ft (149 m). Area: 8.92 sq mi (23.09 km²).

FAQs

Why is Madison, IN famous?

Madison, Indiana, founded in 1809 alongside the picturesque Ohio River, flourished as a bustling center of commerce boasting an active steamboat port and hosting Indiana's inaugural railroad. Its strategic location and robust transportation infrastructure positioned Madison as a crucial point along the Underground Railroad. In 2004, the "Georgetown" neighborhood, inclusive of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, earned distinction as the sole Network to Freedom district in the area, with four of the eleven sites listed under the Indiana Network to Freedom situated in Madison, Indiana.

Is Madison, IN a nice place to live?

Living in Madison offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many young professionals and retirees live in Madison and residents tend to be conservative. The public schools in Madison are above average.

What is the crime rate in Madison, IN?

Madison has an overall crime rate of 8 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Madison is 1 in 120. Madison's crime rate is lower than approximately 41% of Indiana communities.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Madison 

Norton King's Daughters' Hospital

Madison Parks and Recreation Department 

Fit For The King

Planet Fitness 

Adult Programming

Little Clifty Falls 

Hoffman Falls Loop

Historic District

Clifty Falls State Park

Madison Railroad Station

Madison Indiana

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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