Marathon, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Pocahontas County County

3.0 /5.0
B Good
199 Population 265/sq mi density
$40,417 Median Income $23,873 per capita
$41,700 Home Value $98,912 Zillow
$758 Median Rent 31.3% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature
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, 20.6% 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

Marathon, IA

At a Glance

Median Income
$40,417
46% below
$23,873 per capita
Home Value
$41,700
85% below
Zillow: $98,912
Median Rent
$758/mo
35% below
31.3% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
11.8%
65% below
86.2% high school+
Unemployment
20.6%
472% above
17.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
38.3%
19% above
15.9% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
46°F

How Marathon Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Marathon's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
54%
Home Value
15%
Rent
65%
Poverty
144%
Bachelor's
35%
Unemployment
572%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Marathon a Good Place to Live?

B
3.0 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Marathon residents earn a median household income of $40,417 , which is 46% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $23,873. The unemployment rate stands at 20.6% (472% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 17.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 265 business establishments, including 12 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Marathon is $41,700 , 85% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $98,912. Median rent is $758/month, with 31.3% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1938.

Education

11.8% of adults in Marathon hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below the national average). 86.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.6/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Marathon has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.0 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population199
Median Age55.4 yrs
Density265/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Foreign Born4.0%
Veterans7.8%

Economy

C
Median Income$40,417
Per Capita$23,873
Unemployment20.6%
Poverty17.8%
County GDP$642M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,015

Housing

A+
Home Value$41,700
Rent$758
Ownership90.1%
Zillow$98,912
Housing Units101
Rent Burden31.3%

Health

Obesity38.3%
Diabetes9.5%
Smoking15.9%
Heart Disease5.6%
Premature Death9,324/100K

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
Rain32.0 in/yr
Elevation1,396 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.8%
High School+86.2%
Graduate+1.9%
School Score5.6/10

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute30 min
Broadband81.3%
Internet Speed41 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries9

Did You Know?

The median home in Marathon was built in 1938.
The nearest airport is Fort Dodge Regional (45 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.400 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
27.1% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 1 fatal vehicle crashes.