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CITY

Marion

Illinois · 17,148 residents (2025 est.) · 14.403 sq mi
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The short version

Marion has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,912. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $158,300. Households here earn about 32% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,836
+5%since 2000
from 16,035 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,169 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 1,113 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.2
+7%since 2000
from 39.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:17,148 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
14K15K16K17K18K1990201020202024Marion
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,912
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,364 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$39,024
+105%since 2000
from $19,073 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
39.9%
+20.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 14.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.458
−4%since 2010
from 0.476 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade8.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services8%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade4.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration4.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Construction3.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.9%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$158,300
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $64,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$921
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $407 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
63.3%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 64.7% in 2000
36.7% rent
Vacancy rate
8.7%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.9%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.4%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.8
+30%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
51
RELATED:See current rent listings in Marion on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92%(14,760)
Black4.2%(679)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(257)
Asian0.8%(131)
Other0%
Diversity Score16%(2,568)
2024
White, non-Hispanic84.5%(14,225)
Black8%(1,345)
Hispanic / Latino2.7%(450)
Asian2.4%(398)
Other2.5%(418)
Diversity Score34.7%(5,847)
Diversity Score
35
+117%since 2000
from 16 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
28.5%
+11.7 ptssince 2000
from 16.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.1%
+14.6 ptssince 2000
from 79.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.9%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.9 min
+66%since 2000
from 13.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.3%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 86.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.3%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.5%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.9%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.5%
−6.3 ptssince 2011
from 9.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
58.9%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 60.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
44.2%
−19.8 ptssince 2009
from 64.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.7%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
Female
52.3%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
Foreign born
2.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.6%
−36.1 ptssince 2009
from 45.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.3%
+5.9 ptssince 2012
from 16.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.8%
−79.8 ptssince 2013
from 85.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.3%
+15.1 ptssince 2017
from 69.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 95.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.6%
−1.4 ptssince 2016
from 2.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Head to head

Compare Marion to nearby cities

MARION VS
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Income$59,975+5%
Home value$113,300−28%
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MARION VS
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MARION VS
Mount Vernon
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Home value$99,800−37%
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MARION VS
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Income$55,658−2%
Home value$196,300+24%
Population40,977+139%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Marion, Illinois?

Marion, Illinois has about 16,836 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Marion, Illinois?

The typical household in Marion, Illinois earns about $56,912 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Marion, Illinois expensive?

In Marion, Illinois, the median home is worth about $158,300, and the typical rent is about $921 a month.

How educated are people in Marion, Illinois?

About 28.5% of adults age 25 and over in Marion, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Marion, Illinois?

About 13.3% of people in Marion, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Marion, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Marion, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,291 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →