Hi, I’m Donna Taylor with living in Central MS. In today's video, I’m talking about why people are moving to Mississippi…specifically Madison. Last week, the Mayor of our city shared an article written by USA Today that picked the best city in each state. The article created a weighted index of over two dozen measures to identify the best city to live for each state. It considered all cities and towns with a minimum population of 8,000 residents. Some of the factors they weighed in on are affordability, economy, quality of life, safety, schools, etc.
The cities they chose tended to be close proximity to a major city, thereby providing its residents with access to job opportunities, healthcare, and transportation, which all help in lowering unemployment and improve overall financial security…which in my opinion is the number one thing you should be looking for when considering relocating to a new town. So, it’s no wonder this article picked Madison MS as the best city to live in our state. The article didn’t go into a lot of detail for each city but don’t worry, I plan to pick up where the article left off and try to give you some insight into why people are picking Madison! I’ll cover some the top 5 reasons why people are consistently choosing Madison.
BUT First, let me tell you a little about Madison. Madison is less than 20 miles north of the capital city of Jackson and has a population of approximately 30,000 people and an average household income of $114k…which is nearly double the national median. Coupled with a median home price of $280k and a homeownership rate of 95%. Madison has evolved from a whistle-stop railway town to one of the best areas to raise a family in the last 30 years. It is designed meticulously, providing excellent public and private school opportunities, gorgeous housing and business developments, and even some recreational opportunities.
By the way, I’m getting most of my stats from niche.com, where you can look at these metrics for any zip code…be sure and check it out for zip code 39110….which is the only zip code for Madison.
So first on my list is something I think it most important….happiness, Zippia named Madison the happiest city in Mississippi and also the second healthiest. The city is teeming with young adults and people looking to establish a family. The median age in the city is around 40 years old. I’m not sure how we got a wrap as the happiest, but I can some from personal experience, that our town is friendly…lots of my clients that have relocated here from other states always say how friendly the people are here!
Second on my list is the safety and low crime rate. Madison has been named the "Safest City in Mississippi" for the past four years (2019-2022). We have the state's lowest combined rates of violent and property crime. Madison had NO murder, rape, or robbery cases in 2022. Madison's crime rate is substantially lower than the national average when compared to other municipalities of comparable population size. Madison is known locally to have a very strong and strict police force, that has no tolerance for violence and theft.
Coming in at number three is our strong economy. Our residents work in a variety of industries, some of which are Health Care, Educational Services, government and Professional Services are some of the more popluar. Also, Madison has the greatest percentage of self-employed people in the area, with 15.1% ( chart 02), indicating Madison’s high economic strength. Another indicator of our economic climate is the growth in population, for almost every year of the last 30 years, the population is increasing an average of 3%...slow and steady! I think this is important when looking to relocate…no one wants to move to a city that people are leaving!
Also, for the past two decades, Madison has attracted the nation's top retail establishments. It is now home to the plenty of fashion stores, we have lots of big box stores, but lots of local boutiques too. There’s plenty of home furnishing stores, sporting goods, and restaurants, and Madison is still vigorously recruiting enterprises in all commercial areas.
Fourth on the list is Madison’s Natural Beauty, and Outdoor Activities: Mississippi is known for its scenic landscapes, and Madison is no exception. Madison has several parks and green areas where you can enjoy picnicking, walking, jogging, and playing sports. Some popular parks include Liberty Park, Old Trace Park, and Strawberry Patch Park. Ross Barnett Reservoir is a 33,000 acre man-made lake providing opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. It's a great spot for water-based activities and enjoying the natural scenery. The area around Madison offers various hiking and biking trails that allow you to explore the beautiful landscapes and natural surroundings. Trails like the Natchez Trace Parkway offer scenic routes for outdoor enthusiasts. Madison's natural surroundings offer opportunities for wildlife and birdwatching. Whether it's at the Ross Barnett Reservoir or along hiking trails, you may spot various species of birds and other wildlife.
Madison has been a magnet for Golf enthusiasts. Madison is home to several golf courses, such as Lake Caroline Golf Club and Reunion Golf and Country Club, which offer opportunities for golf enthusiasts to enjoy their favorite sport.
Fifth, Another A+ rating for Madison, is the school system. Madison County Schools are the state's highest-ranked district, and all public schools in Madison are rated "A" by the Mississippi Department of Education for exceptional student academic success.
Madison has several elementary schools and plenty of private school options too,
Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Saint Joseph Catholic School, and Saint Anthony Catholic School to name a few and are surprisingly affordable when compared to private schools in other states.
These those are my top five reasons making Madison the best city to live in Mississippi. If you’re planning to come for a visit to check us out, please reach out… and me or someone on my team are happy to meet with you to point you in the right direction. If you’re curious about specific neighborhoods, our channel has lots of neighborhood tours giving you a visual insight into the specifics of some of our more popular areas.
If you’re thinking of moving to Mississippi, be sure and check out our website www.taylorgroupms.com, it has all MLS listings in Central MS and is updated every 10 minutes. Whether you're buying or selling, our team is here to help every step of the way. Contact us today to get started.
Taylor Realty Group
601-613-9100
