[7] The city is in southeastern Madison County, located just west of the junction of U.S. Route 81 and Nebraska Highway 32.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Madison has a total area of 1.18 square miles (3.06 km2), all land.

[1] Union Creek passes through the city just north of downtown, flowing east to join the Elkhorn River near Stanton.

Madison is part of the Norfolk, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area.

23.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The largest single employer in Madison is the Tyson Fresh Meats pork-processing plant, with 1,200 full-time employees.

[14] Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Express Arrow.