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CITY

Marathon

Iowa · 213 residents (2025 est.) · 0.749 sq mi
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The short version

Marathon has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $39,375. Population has fallen 23% since 2000, a loss of 68 residents. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $46,900. With a median age of 53.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 48% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 53.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 59%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
234
−23%since 2000
from 302 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
312 / sq mi
−23%since 2000
from 403 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
53.5
+22%since 2000
from 43.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:213 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1742112482853221990201020202024Marathon
2024234
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,375
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,982 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,683
+94%since 2000
from $12,751 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
23.0%
+16.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
25.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 22.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.438
+15%since 2010
from 0.380 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information29.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade23.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade9.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction5.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$46,900
+59%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $16,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$775
+70%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $250 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
89.4%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 79.0% in 2000
10.6% rent
Vacancy rate
16.3%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.8%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
41.7%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.2
+54%since 2000
from 0.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
39
RELATED:See current rent listings in Marathon on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97%(293)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(8)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.5%(20)
2024
White, non-Hispanic78.2%(183)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino4.3%(10)
Asian0%(0)
Other17.5%(41)
Diversity Score44.5%(104)
Diversity Score
44
+588%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
86.4%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 82.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.5 min
+25%since 2000
from 21.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.3%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 80.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
20.5%
+9.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
1.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.0%
−10.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
15.0%
+9.6 ptssince 2011
from 5.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.1%
−9.4 ptssince 2011
from 71.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.9%
+12.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
21.2%
−26.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
41.0%
−13.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Female
59.0%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.3%
−47.2 ptssince 2009
from 54.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
29.5%
+13.2 ptssince 2012
from 16.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.5%
−71.2 ptssince 2013
from 79.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
80.5%
+6.2 ptssince 2017
from 74.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.6%
+9.1 ptssince 2016
from 87.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.4%
−9.1 ptssince 2016
from 12.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Marathon

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Pop 197
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Head to head

Compare Marathon to nearby cities

MARATHON VS
Storm Lake
Income$62,765+59%
Home value$172,200+267%
Population11,590+5341%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MARATHON VS
Spencer
Income$59,667+52%
Home value$184,800+294%
Population11,218+5167%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MARATHON VS
Fort Dodge
Income$60,649+54%
Home value$144,100+207%
Population24,837+11561%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MARATHON VS
Carroll
Income$69,706+77%
Home value$188,700+302%
Population10,085+4635%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Marathon, Iowa?

Marathon, Iowa has about 234 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Marathon, Iowa?

The typical household in Marathon, Iowa earns about $39,375 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Marathon, Iowa expensive?

In Marathon, Iowa, the median home is worth about $46,900, and the typical rent is about $775 a month.

How educated are people in Marathon, Iowa?

About 11.8% of adults age 25 and over in Marathon, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Marathon, Iowa?

About 25.2% of people in Marathon, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Marathon, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Marathon, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 76 residents, a change of about -25 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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