Living in Madison, CT
Madison is a shoreline town in New Haven County on Long Island Sound, with Hammonasset Beach State Park, a Shore Line East station and a Boston Post Road business district.
Madison at a glance
- Median sale price
- $725,000+5.1% vs last year 271 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 23.06 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$11,700 median-priced home
- Population
- 17,688 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 36.2 sq mi 489 per sq mi
What it is like in Madison
Madison is in the southeastern corner of New Haven County, on the Long Island Sound shoreline. It covers 36.15 square miles of land and had a population of 17,688 in our data. It borders Guilford, Clinton, Killingworth and Durham.
The area was first settled in 1641 and was known as East Guilford through the 18th century. Madison was incorporated as a town in 1826 and is named for James Madison. Principal communities include Madison Center, North Madison, East River, Rockland and Hammonasset Point.
Madison Center is the main business area, with the Madison Green Historic District and the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, built in 1901. The Allis-Bushnell House and the Deacon John Grave House are also on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hammonasset Beach State Park has the state's longest public beach, with campsites, picnic areas and a fishing pier. Town beaches include Surf Club Beach, East Wharf and West Wharf. Other places listed by the town include Madison Green, the Ox Pasture, Bauer Park, Salt Meadow Park, Cedar Island, Hammonasset Natural Area Preserve and a canoe and kayak launch.
Along the Boston Post Road are Cafe Allegre, RJ Cafe & Bistro, Red Tomato Pizzeria and Cohen's Bagel Company. The Wharf and Cristy's are on West Wharf Road, and Bar Bouchee is on Scotland Avenue. The Madison Center for History & Culture at Lee's Academy and the Allis-Bushnell House are run by the Madison Historical Society, and the Sculpture Mile displays large outdoor sculptures.
Getting around from Madison
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 58 min | 34 |
| New Haven | 34 min | 19 |
| Stamford | 90 min | 59 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 143 min | 95 |
| Boston | 175 min | 140 |
| Providence | 114 min | 90 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 79 min | 48 |
Rail stations nearby
- Madison 4.4 mi Shore Line East, Amtrak
- Guilford 5.4 mi Shore Line East, CTrail Hartford Line
- Clinton 6.7 mi Shore Line East, CTrail Hartford Line
Highways and routes
Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1 and Connecticut Routes 79 and 80 are the major roads. The Madison station is served by Shore Line East and Amtrak, 4.4 miles from the town in a straight line. Guilford (5.4 miles) and Clinton (6.7 miles) stations are also nearby, and Guilford and Clinton also have CTrail Hartford Line service.
River Valley Transit routes 641 and 645 run along Route 1, CT Transit route 201 connects Madison Center to New Haven, and XtraMile is an on-demand transit service in Madison and Guilford. By car, New Haven is 19 miles (34 minutes), Hartford 34 miles (58 minutes), Providence 90 miles (114 minutes), Stamford 59 miles (90 minutes) and Midtown New York City 95 miles (143 minutes). Bradley Airport is 48 miles (79 minutes) away.
Schools in Madison
5 public schools in Madison School District. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 3
- Dr. Robert H. Brown Intermediate
- J. Milton Jeffrey
- Kathleen H. Ryerson
Middle 1
- Walter C. Polson
High school 1
- Daniel Hand High School
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up Madison School District on the state's EdSight site.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data. We do not rate or rank schools.
Eat, drink and explore in Madison
Open Madison in Google Maps →Eat and drink 8
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French bistro serving traditional comfort dishes at dinner, with a seasonal menu, wine and cocktails.
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Dinner restaurant serving Italian and Mediterranean dishes, open Tuesday through Sunday, with takeout trays.
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Bakery baking bagels, breads and pastries on site, with sandwiches, salads, soups and coffee.
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Restaurant on West Wharf Road with a breakfast and pancake menu and a separate dinner menu.
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Asian and Chinese restaurant with dine-in and takeout, plus beer and wine at the bar.
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Pizzeria on the Boston Post Road with pizza, calzones, grinders, burgers, salads and dinner plates.
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Table-service cafe with roasted coffee, paninis, salads, soups, and baked goods, located at the back of a bookshop.
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Restaurant at the Madison Beach Hotel serving seasonal seafood and continental dishes, with a bar and weekly brunch.
Things to do and see 3
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House dating from about 1785 and kept by the Madison Historical Society, with period rooms and public tours twice a month.
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History museum in an 1821 former school building with exhibitions and educational events, open Wednesday to Friday.
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Outdoor display of large sculptures along Main Street, with a self-guided tour and Saturday guided tours.
Parks, preserves and trails 57
Show 43 more parks and conservation parcels
Parks and open space © OpenStreetMap contributors. Places to eat and visit last checked October 2026. These are not paid placements; they are simply our selection. Hours and menus change, so check before you go.
Madison housing market
Over the last 12 months, 271 homes sold in Madison with a median sale price of $725,000 and a median of 12 days on market. There are 33 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $338 per square foot. The typical home sold for 100% of its list price, and the median sale price is up 5.1% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 1.5 months.
Madison's town-wide property tax rate is 23.06 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $11,700 a year. Special taxing districts, such as fire districts, can add to this, and a home's actual assessment may differ from its sale price.
Source: SmartMLS, residential sales (single-family, condo and multi-family); mill rates: Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. Updated November 10, 2026.
Homes for sale in Madison
See all 33 →
Know before you move
Official and independent sources worth bookmarking if you are considering Madison.
Questions about Madison
What is the median home price in Madison, CT?
The median sale price in Madison is $725,000, based on 271 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in Madison, CT?
Madison's town-wide property tax rate is 23.06 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $11,700 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is Madison, CT from Hartford?
Madison is about 34 miles and a 58-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is Madison, CT from New York City?
Madison is about 95 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 143-minute drive without traffic.
Is there a train station in Madison, CT?
The closest passenger rail station we have on record is Madison (Shore Line East, Amtrak) about 4.4 miles from the center of Madison. Check the operator's schedule for current service.
What is the population of Madison, CT?
Madison has about 17,688 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 36.2 square miles.
How many public schools are in Madison, CT?
Madison has 5 public schools in Madison School District. Which school serves an address depends on the district's boundaries, so confirm with the district.
How many homes are for sale in Madison, CT?
There are 33 homes for sale in Madison right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
Where is Madison?
Madison is in New Haven County on Long Island Sound and borders Guilford, Clinton, Killingworth and Durham.
Does Madison have a train station?
Yes. The Madison station is served by Shore Line East and Amtrak. Guilford and Clinton stations are also nearby.
How far is Madison from New Haven?
New Haven is 19 miles away, about 34 minutes by car. CT Transit route 201 also connects Madison Center to New Haven.
Which beaches are in Madison?
Hammonasset Beach State Park is the largest. Surf Club Beach, East Wharf and West Wharf are other beaches in town.
Which highways serve Madison?
Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1 and Connecticut Routes 79 and 80.
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