Est. 1871 · Hamilton County, Ohio

Small Town.
Big Life.

Madeira is a walkable, tree-lined community just 12 minutes from downtown Cincinnati, with top-ranked schools, a thriving local downtown, and neighbors who know your name.

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Our Story

A village at heart since 1871

Named for John Madeira, who owned a large tract of land in the area, Madeira was laid out in 1871 as a post town along the Cincinnati-to-Parkersburg railroad line. It incorporated as a village in 1910 and gained city status in 1959, but ask anyone here and they'll tell you it still feels like a village. The district celebrated 100 years of educational excellence in 2022.

Tucked into the rolling hills of Hamilton County, Madeira sits just northeast of Cincinnati with easy access to I-71 via the Ronald Reagan Highway and the Norwood Lateral. The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is a 25-minute drive.

With a median household income over $168,000, a poverty rate under 2.5%, and home values that consistently appreciate, Madeira attracts families looking for small-town character backed by big-city access.

Quick Facts

Founded
1871
Incorporated
1910 (village) / 1959 (city)
County
Hamilton County, OH
Population
~9,565 (2026 est.)
Area
3.38 sq mi
ZIP Code
45243
Government
Council-Manager
Named For
John Madeira, landowner

Government

Madeira operates under a Council-Manager form of government. An elected City Council appoints a professional City Manager to handle day-to-day operations.

Police services are provided by the Madeira Police Department. Fire and EMS are covered by the Madeira & Indian Hill Joint Fire District.

City Government →

History & Heritage

The Madeira Historical Society has published over 600 local history stories and operates the Miller House Museum, open for tours April through December on the 1st Saturday and 3rd Sunday of each month.

Historical Society →

Northeast of Cincinnati · Hamilton County

Education

Schools that set the standard

Madeira City Schools rank in the top 5% of all Ohio school districts, one of only 8 districts in the state to earn 5 stars overall on the Ohio report card, and the only district in Southwest Ohio with 5 stars in every category. Forbes named Madeira #1 in Ohio for best schools relative to housing costs. Every graduate since 2018 is eligible for the "Made in Madeira" scholarship through the Homer Amos estate.

Madeira Elementary

Pre-K – Grade 4

Building strong foundations with 92% math and 88% reading proficiency. Ranked #47 among Ohio elementary schools.

→ Learn More

Madeira Middle School

Grades 5 – 8

Rigorous academics with arts, athletics, and enrichment programs that challenge growing minds.

State-Recognized STEM & Arts Program
Arts
Programs
Athletics
Programs
Enrichment
Programs
→ Learn More

Madeira High School

Grades 9 – 12

Ranked #311 nationally by U.S. News. 95% graduation rate. Named one of the "Most Challenging High Schools in America" by the Washington Post.

85%
Math Proficiency
91%
Reading Proficiency
95%
Graduation Rate
→ Learn More
Madeira City Schools → Ohio School Report Card →
Parks & Recreation

Green space, open air

Madeira's parks are the backyard everyone shares. From the newly renovated McDonald Commons to the quiet trails of the Hosbrook Bird Sanctuary, there's space to play, gather, and breathe.

$13.5M Renovation

McDonald Commons

Dawson Road · 17 acres

Madeira's crown jewel underwent a generational $13.5 million renovation in 2023–2024. The reimagined park features redesigned sports fields with synthetic and natural turf, two dedicated pickleball courts, six multi-use courts, a new event lawn, four-season community room, designated farmers market area, and a custom ADA-friendly playground.

Soccer Fields Baseball Fields Tennis Courts Pickleball Batting Cage Walking Trail Playground Picnic Shelters Community Room Event Lawn Farmers Market

Sellman Park

6700 Marin Ave · 10 acres

Behind Madeira Middle School, Sellman Park offers lighted tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball, soccer, sand volleyball, a picnic shelter, playground, and restrooms.

Lighted Courts Volleyball Baseball Playground

Hosbrook Bird Sanctuary

Miami Avenue · 2 acres

A peaceful wooded retreat along Miami Avenue, home to the beloved Story Trail, a walking path where books are posted seasonally in partnership with the local library.

Story Trail Nature Walk Wildlife
Parks Department → Reserve a Facility →
Downtown

A walkable main street that actually delivers

Madeira's downtown isn't just charming. It's functional. Along a walkable stretch you'll find locally owned restaurants, boutiques, a beloved independent bookshop, wine bars, bakeries, and art studios. No chains. No strip malls. Just the real thing.

Miami Avenue, Madeira Ohio downtown
Restaurant 20+ Years

Ferrari's Little Italy & Bakery

7677 Miami Ave, Madeira, OH 45243

Family-owned by the Bassano family for over 20 years. Authentic Italian cuisine, an on-premise bakery, and Italian grocery. Ranked #1 restaurant in Madeira on Tripadvisor.

Mon–Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 11am–8pm
Hours & Info → Get Directions
Restaurant

A Tavola Bar + Trattoria

7637 Miami Ave, Madeira, OH 45243

Wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and handmade pasta, scratch-made daily. Multiple Cincinnati locations, but Madeira is where the magic started.

Hours & Info → Get Directions
American

SwingLine Madeira

7601 Miami Ave, Madeira, OH 45243

From the team behind Paxton's Grill. Rooftop dining, a full bar, and a diverse menu in a historic building once part of the Swing Line railway.

Hours & Info → Get Directions
Bookshop Since 1975

The Bookshelf

7754 Camargo Rd, Madeira, OH 45243

Independent bookstore since 1975. General interest, children's, mystery, and literary books plus their beloved Book Angels program providing free books to kids.

Hours & Info → Get Directions
Wine & Food

Piazza Discepoli Wine & Food

7609 Miami Ave, Madeira, OH 45243

Fine wine bottle shop with custom charcuterie boards, gift baskets, monthly wine tastings, and Friday Night Flights + Bites events.

Hours & Info → Get Directions
Gifts

The Cottage Paperie & Gifts

7711 Miami Ave, Madeira, OH 45243

Locally-owned boutique with personalized stationery, invitations, jewelry, home decor, candles, apparel, and baby items. A Madeira favorite.

Hours & Info → Get Directions
Pizza & Pasta New

Pastizza Pizza & Pasta

Miami Ave, Madeira, OH 45243

New York-style pizza and classic Italian pasta from a 70-year-old baker's oven. Family-owned, small and cozy, mostly carryout. Opened 2024 on Miami Ave.

Hours & Info → Get Directions

Shop & Dine Local

Madeira's downtown features independently owned businesses, from art galleries and gift shops to bakeries and restaurants. The Madeira Chamber of Commerce supports over 100 local businesses.

Business Directory →

Farmers Market

Thursdays, May through October, 4-7pm at Dawson Road & Miami Avenue. Indoor market November-December. Fresh produce, baked goods, cheese, honey, flowers, crafts, and prepared foods. Accepts SNAP/EBT and Produce Perks.

Madeira Farmers Market →
Events & Community

A calendar that keeps the town together

Madeira doesn't just have events. It has traditions. These are the gatherings that define the rhythm of life here, and they've been bringing people together for generations.

May

Memorial Day March

A solemn march along Miami Avenue to the Veterans Memorial at McDonald Commons, honoring those who served.

Add to Calendar
Jul

Independence Day Celebration

The big one. A parade through the center of town with floats, marching bands, and local organizations, followed by a festival and fireworks at McDonald Commons.

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Jun–Jul

Summer Wiffleball League

A fun, friendly league for kids in grades 4–9. Pure summer joy.

Add to Calendar
Aug

Street Dance

A long-standing Madeira tradition with live music, food, drinks, and fun for the whole family right in the streets.

Add to Calendar
May

Madeira Art Fair

Miami Avenue lines with white tents showcasing watercolors, oil paintings, pottery, and more. Organized by the Madeira Woman's Club on the first Sunday in May.

Add to Calendar
Spring

Easter Egg Scramble

Kids across Madeira gather for the annual egg hunt, a rite of spring in the community.

Add to Calendar
Jun

Madeira Criterium & 5K

Downtown transforms for a cycling criterium, 5K run, food trucks, and live music. A high-energy day that takes over the streets.

Add to Calendar
May–Oct

Farmers Market

Thursdays 4–7pm at Dawson Road & Miami Avenue. Organic produce, baked goods, cheese, honey, flowers, crafts, and prepared foods from local vendors.

Add to Calendar
Dec

Light Up Madeira

Kick off the Christmas season with carriage rides, caroling, hot chocolate, and the lighting of the city Christmas tree. Co-hosted with the Chamber of Commerce.

Add to Calendar

Upcoming from Madeira City

View the full city calendar for meetings, recreation events, and community activities.

View City Calendar → MadeiraNews Newsletter →
Recreation & Events → Madeira Chamber of Commerce →

"Madeira is the kind of place where your kids can ride their bikes to the pool and you actually know the lifeguards."

– Madeira resident, 12 years

"We moved here for the schools and stayed for everything else. The downtown, the parks, the neighbors. There's nothing like it near Cincinnati."

– Moved from Hyde Park, 2019

"The Fourth of July parade makes me cry every single year. I don't know how to explain it to people who haven't been here."

– Third-generation Madeira family
Living Here

What it's actually like

Housing

A mix of historic homes, mid-century builds, and newer construction. Tree-lined streets, generous lots, and well-maintained properties define the neighborhoods. Forbes ranked Madeira #1 in Ohio for best schools relative to housing cost.

Getting Around

12 minutes to downtown Cincinnati. Quick access to I-71 via the Ronald Reagan Highway (SR 126) and Norwood Lateral (SR 562). Metro bus service with a Park & Ride. CVG airport is 25 minutes away.

Community

This is a place where neighbors still wave, the Fourth of July parade is a can't-miss event, and the school levy passes because people believe in public education. Volunteerism runs deep.

Economy

Median household income exceeds $168,000. Unemployment sits at 3.2%. Crime rate is 67% lower than the national average. Major employers nearby include Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, GE Aerospace, Fifth Third Bank, and Kroger.

Services

Dedicated police department. Joint fire district with Indian Hill. City-managed parks, recreation programming, and senior services. A responsive local government that keeps things running.

Location

Northeast of Cincinnati in Hamilton County. Bordered by Kenwood, Indian Hill, and Silverton. Close to Kenwood Towne Centre for major retail. The best of suburban living with urban access.

Moving Here?

Everything you need to make the move

Find a Home

Browse Madeira listings on Zillow, Realtor.com, and with local realtors who know every street.

Search Listings →

Enroll in Schools

New resident enrollment opens in February. Contact the district office to start the process.

School Enrollment →

City Services

Set up utilities, register your vehicle, and get your city sticker at the municipal building.

City Services →

Get Connected

Join the Madeira Community Facebook group, sign up for city alerts, and meet your neighbors.

Community Groups →