Motley
Madison, Brooklyn

Madison

At A Glance

Madison offers quiet residential streets with detached and semi-attached homes. An affordable, suburban-feeling neighborhood in southern Brooklyn with local retail along Avenue U.

Did you know?

Madison's street grid was laid out by the Flatbush Water Works Company in the 1920s, which is why the avenues follow alphabetical order from N through Z.

Neighborhood Stats

14
Schools
3
Parks
2
Subway
55
Dining
19
Groceries
13
Coffee

Who’s your neighbor?

$75KMedian Income
22%Under 18
42%College+
45%Own Their Home

Housing cost

Avg Rent
$2,200per month
Avg Sale Price
$527Kmedian sale

$897 / sq ft

Family scores

52
/100
Family Fit
How well the area suits families overall.
46
/100
Safety
Local crime and street-safety signals.
69
/100
Schools
Quality and choice of nearby schools.
41
/100
Affordability
Cost of living — higher is more affordable.
Show 5 more
65
/100
Family-Friendly Vibe
How many families with kids live nearby.
25
/100
Neighborhood Character
Settled, long-term residents and housing.
82
/100
Transit
Subway and bus access for getting around.
30
/100
Air & Water
Air quality and environmental health.
66
/100
Things to Do
Restaurants, shops, and activities nearby.
Lower
050100
Higher

What families should know

Personalize

Get an agentic neighborhood analysis — including safety and cost of living — tailored to your priorities, family size, budget, and commute.

Analyze for My Family

Living here

Nearest large park: Marine Park-Plumb Island · ~12 min walk (0.5 mi)

Madison keeps it simple on the outdoor play front — three solid playgrounds spread across the neighborhood give kids somewhere to burn off energy, though you're not going to find a massive green marquee here. Galapo Playground and Kelly Park Playground are the more well-known spots, with Pfc Norton Playground rounding things out. It's a thin but functional bench of options for families who just need a swing set and some open space.

Schools & early education

Madison offers families a real mix — zoned public schools like James Madison High School and P.S. 255 Barbara Reing sit alongside an equal number of private and religious options, from Catholic academies to a cluster of yeshivas serving the neighborhood's large Orthodox community. Public school families will find seats available, though the private and parochial landscape is equally robust.

Compare with nearby neighborhoods

Best schools in Madison

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Madison a good neighborhood for families?
Madison scores 52/100 for families on Motley — near the middle of the pack citywide. The Family Fit score blends safety, schools, parks, cost of living, and community.
Is Madison safe?
Madison scores 46/100 on safety — near the middle of the pack citywide. We build the score from NYPD complaint data, normalized by population.
How are the schools in Madison?
Madison has 14 schools mapped inside its boundary and scores 69/100 for schools — ahead of most NYC neighborhoods.
Is Madison affordable?
Madison scores 41/100 for affordability on Motley — mid-range on cost for the city.
Which borough is Madison in?
Madison is a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York City.

Want personalized insights for your family?

Sign in to get an agentic neighborhood analysis — including safety and cost of living — tailored to your priorities, family size, budget, and commute.