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MICROPOLITAN AREA

Marion Micro

Marion, NC · 1 counties · 45,198 residents (2025 est.) · 439.954 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 $57,168. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 18% 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 $171,100. With a median age of 44.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 45%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
44,817
+6%since 2000
from 42,151 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
102 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 96 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.3
+17%since 2000
from 38.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:45,198 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
35K38K40K43K46K1990201020202024Marion
202445K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,168
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,396 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,395
+89%since 2000
from $16,109 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
36.6%
+21.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.8%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.422
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.422 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade23%
US avg: 9.9%
Information10.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Other services2.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Construction1.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Public administration1.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$171,100
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $64,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$806
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $411 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
75.6%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 77.2% in 2000
24.4% rent
Vacancy rate
13.6%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.5%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 27.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+50%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
55
RELATED:See current rent listings in Marion on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91%(38,373)
Black4.1%(1,716)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(1,214)
Asian0.9%(387)
Other0%
Diversity Score18.8%(7,912)
Segregation Score0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic85.6%(38,364)
Black3.8%(1,724)
Hispanic / Latino7.1%(3,170)
Asian1.1%(506)
Other2.3%(1,053)
Diversity Score32.5%(14,570)
Segregation Score26.8%(12,032)
Diversity Score
33
+73%since 2000
from 19 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
27
−27%since 2020
from 37 in 2020
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.1%
+9.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.3%
+15.2 ptssince 2000
from 70.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.7%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 2.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.7 min
+49%since 2000
from 16.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
83.4%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 78.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.6%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.2%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
−6.8 ptssince 2011
from 10.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.5%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 59.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
31.6%
−27.6 ptssince 2009
from 59.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.1%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
49.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
3.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.6%
−41.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.8%
−3.5 ptssince 2012
from 21.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.5%
−73.3 ptssince 2013
from 84.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.6%
+16.3 ptssince 2017
from 67.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 93.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.6%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 5.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
In this metro

Principal cities

MarionCENTRAL7,440
What's inside

1 component county

McDowell CountyCENTRAL45,198
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Marion

Madisonville
Pop 45,127
Cedartown
Pop 45,514
Charleston
Pop 46,607
Galesburg
Pop 47,767
Places similar to Marion
Head to head

Compare Marion side by side

MARION VS
Madisonville
Income$56,815−1%
Home value$142,800−17%
Population45,127same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MARION VS
Cedartown
Income$58,515+2%
Home value$187,600+10%
Population45,514+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MARION VS
Charleston
Income$56,478−1%
Home value$127,400−26%
Population46,607+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MARION VS
Galesburg
Income$57,030same
Home value$111,900−35%
Population47,767+6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Marion, NC?

Marion, NC has about 44,817 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Marion, NC?

The typical household in Marion, NC earns about $57,168 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Marion, NC expensive?

In Marion, NC, the median home is worth about $171,100, and the typical rent is about $806 a month.

How educated are people in Marion, NC?

About 18.1% of adults age 25 and over in Marion, NC hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Marion, NC?

About 14.8% of people in Marion, NC live below the federal poverty line.

Has Marion, NC grown since 1990?

Yes, Marion, NC has grown since 1990. The population has added about 9,136 residents, a change of about 26 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →