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CITY · 2020 ACS

Marion

North Carolina · 7,717 residents · 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 $41,117. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 56% since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $97,400. The poverty rate of 25.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 27% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,717
+56%since 2000
from 4,943 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,292 / sq mi
+56%since 2000
from 828 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.8
−4%since 2000
from 40.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K5K6K7K8K1990201020202024Marion
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,117
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,753 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,098
+9%since 2000
from $16,569 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.3%
+14.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
25.4%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 17.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade34%
US avg: 10%
Information10.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing4%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance1.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.5%
Other services0.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$97,400
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$628
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $397 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
53.2%
−6.4 ptssince 2000
from 59.6% in 2000
46.8% rent
Afford Score
2.4
−1%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic67.5%(5,208)
Black12%(928)
Hispanic / Latino15.4%(1,191)
Asian1.2%(91)
Other2.6%(199)
Diversity Score61.6%(4,750)
Diversity Score
62
+53%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 15.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
74.8%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 67.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.5 min
+65%since 2000
from 15.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.4%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 66.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.8%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.7%
−1.4 ptssince 2011
from 10.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
43.9%
−12.8 ptssince 2011
from 56.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
18.0%
−41.0 ptssince 2009
from 59.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.4%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
46.6%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
16.3%
+7.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
16.3%
−68.2 ptssince 2013
from 84.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Marion to nearby cities

MARION VS
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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 7,717 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Marion, North Carolina earns about $41,117 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 $97,400, and the typical rent is about $628 a month.

How educated are people in Marion, North Carolina?

About 16.1% 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 25.4% 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 2,952 residents, a change of about 62 percent over that period.

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

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