Marathon, IA

Iowa

Marathon is a small town in Iowa with a population of 199. Residents earn $40,417 per year, which is 46% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
199 Population 265/sq mi density
$40,417 Median Income $23,873 per capita
$41,700 Home Value $89,469 Zillow
$758 Median Rent 31.3% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$40,417 median income, 11.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$41,700 home value, $758/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,417
46% lower than US avg
Home Value $41,700
85% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.8%
65% lower than US avg
Median Rent $758
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.3%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 11.9%
231% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.8%
44% higher than US avg

How Marathon Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population199
Median Age55.4 yrs
Density265/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 87%
Veterans7.8%

Economy

C
Median Income$40,417
Per Capita$23,873
Unemployment11.9%
Poverty17.8%
County GDP$642M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$41,700
Rent$758
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$89,469
Housing Units101
Rent Burden31.3%

Health

Obesity38.3%
Uninsured8.1%
Smoking15.9%
Depression21.2%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain32.8 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,396 ft (426 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.8%
High School+86.2%
Graduate+1.9%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute30 min
Broadband91.0%
Libraries9

Is Marathon a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Marathon receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Marathon offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Marathon is $40,417, 46% below the national average of $75,149. At 11.9%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 17.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Marathon is $41,700, 85% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $758 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Marathon experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 32.8 inches, including 38.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Marathon has a population of 199 with a density of 265 people per square mile. The median age is 55.4 years, 42% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.9%), with 3.5% Hispanic.

Population

199
Total Population
265
People / sq mi
55.4yrs
Median Age
42% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.2%
Female 57.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Marathon vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.1%
21% above US avg
Spanish4.9%
63% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Marathon vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Marathon is $40,417, which is 46% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 11.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Marathon vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,417
46% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,873
Avg Weekly Wage$1,015
IRS Avg AGI$71,570

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment11.9%
231% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.8%
44% above US avg
Establishments (County)265
County GDP$642M

Business (County)

Restaurants12
Healthcare17
Retail26
Manufacturing11

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,850
19% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.5 min
Drive Alone92.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Marathon is $41,700, 85% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $758 (35% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $89,469.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$41,700
85% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$89,469

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$758
35% below US avg
Rent Burden31.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied90.1%
Housing Units101
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,850
19% below US avg
Effective Rate6.83%
In Marathon, 38.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.1% of residents lack health insurance. 15.9% are current smokers. 21.2% report depression. 23.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Marathon vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.3%
19% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure30.4%
Asthma9.9%
COPD6.1%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.9%
14% above US avg
Binge Drinking22.1%
Physical Inactivity23.9%
Depression21.2%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress12.3%
Short Sleep34.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.1%
Uninsured8.1%
6% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.5%
Dental Visits67.2%
Premature Death9,324/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access73.0%
Healthcare Facilities17
Marathon has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.8 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.9°F
13% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.8 inches
14% below US avg
Snowfall38.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,396 ft (426 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density265/sq mi
Coordinates42.8602°N, 94.9829°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19151
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 11.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54-point margin. 91.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.3%
D 22.3%

Winner: Republican by 54 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.8%
65% below US avg
High School+86.2%
Graduate Degree+1.9%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density265/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access91.0%
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities17
Restaurants12
Retail Stores26

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.5 min
Drive Alone92.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.5%

Nearby Cities

Laurens, IA 1,234 pop · 6.9 mi Pocahontas, IA 1,536 pop · 18.2 mi Storm Lake, IA 11,275 pop · 18.5 mi Alta, IA 2,344 pop · 20.9 mi Spencer, IA 11,393 pop · 21.6 mi Emmetsburg, IA 3,651 pop · 23.3 mi Graettinger, IA 1,038 pop · 28.6 mi Cherokee, IA 5,157 pop · 29.9 mi Sac City, IA 1,782 pop · 30.3 mi Manson, IA 1,653 pop · 32.1 mi Hartley, IA 1,588 pop · 33.3 mi Milford, IA 3,315 pop · 34.3 mi Rockwell City, IA 2,449 pop · 36.7 mi Estherville, IA 5,865 pop · 38.0 mi
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