The Saint John River forms the northern edge of the CDP as well as the Canada–United States border.

U.S. Route 1 runs east–west through the center of the CDP, leading 19 miles (31 km) southwest (officially northbound) to Fort Kent, the highway's northern terminus, and 47 miles (76 km) southeast (southbound) to Caribou.

A bridge across the Saint John River connects Madawaska with the city of Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada.

There were 1,667 housing units at an average density of 315.7 per square mile (121.9/km2).

35.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.