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CITY

Marion

North Carolina · 7,440 residents (2025 est.) · 5.973 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 $51,314. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 53% since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $163,500. The poverty rate of 23.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 29% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 51%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,579
+53%since 2000
from 4,943 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,269 / sq mi
+53%since 2000
from 828 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.1
−3%since 2000
from 40.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:7,440 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K5K6K7K8K1990201020202024Marion
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,314
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,753 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,092
+33%since 2000
from $16,569 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
34.0%
+23.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
23.5%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 17.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.444
−4%since 2010
from 0.463 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade15.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade11.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing6.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services1.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$163,500
+51%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$762
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $397 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
51.3%
−8.3 ptssince 2000
from 59.6% in 2000
48.7% rent
Vacancy rate
13.7%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.3%
−8.6 ptssince 2009
from 21.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.0%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 35.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.2
+33%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
57
RELATED:See current rent listings in Marion on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic80.4%(3,972)
Black10.4%(513)
Hispanic / Latino7%(348)
Asian1%(51)
Other0%
Diversity Score40.3%(1,992)
2024
White, non-Hispanic61.1%(4,634)
Black11.2%(849)
Hispanic / Latino19.8%(1,498)
Asian4.6%(350)
Other3.3%(248)
Diversity Score71.4%(5,413)
Diversity Score
71
+77%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 15.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
80.0%
+12.6 ptssince 2000
from 67.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.7 min
+40%since 2000
from 15.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.3%
+14.9 ptssince 2009
from 66.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.6%
−11.6 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.5%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.7%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.4%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 10.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
45.2%
−11.5 ptssince 2011
from 56.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.6%
−29.4 ptssince 2009
from 59.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.1%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
47.9%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
12.2%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.9%
−43.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.0%
−5.2 ptssince 2012
from 21.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
17.0%
−67.5 ptssince 2013
from 84.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
79.2%
+10.5 ptssince 2017
from 68.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
76.8%
−5.9 ptssince 2016
from 82.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
17.9%
+1.4 ptssince 2016
from 16.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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MARION VS
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MARION VS
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MARION VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Marion, North Carolina?

Marion, North Carolina has about 7,579 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Marion, North Carolina?

The typical household in Marion, North Carolina earns about $51,314 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Marion, North Carolina expensive?

In Marion, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $163,500, and the typical rent is about $762 a month.

How educated are people in Marion, North Carolina?

About 15.6% of adults age 25 and over in Marion, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Marion, North Carolina?

About 23.5% of people in Marion, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Marion, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Marion, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,814 residents, a change of about 59 percent over that period.

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

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