Madison
7.2
High score (8-10)
Madison County is the Metro East anchor on the Illinois side of the St. Louis metro, with real range — Edwardsville has SIUE (a growing regional university) and a professional class that's expanded significantly as St. Louis professionals have moved across the river for affordable housing. The combination of university energy and proximity to a major metro gives Madison County more social options than its Illinois location would suggest. A foreign man working in the professional sector here can access both the county's growing social scene and St. Louis proper.
Mid score (6-8) · Your profile
The county is split between Edwardsville's growing professional demographic and the older industrial cities of Granite City and Alton, which have struggled economically. A man in Edwardsville or the O'Fallon area is in a genuinely functional social environment; a man in Granite City is in a different county in practice.
Lower score (below 6)
Granite City and the older industrial areas of Madison County have experienced the same pattern of manufacturing decline visible across the Rust Belt. The social environment in those areas is working-class and local, with limited options for outsiders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the median income in Madison, Illinois?
$40k median
What's the typical marriage age for women in Madison, Illinois?
Women marry at 27
How common is a college degree in Madison, Illinois?
21% men have degree
What's the average male height in Madison, Illinois?
176 cm local avg
What's the average BMI for women in Madison, Illinois?
Local women avg 29.3