Marion, KY

Kentucky

Marion is a small town in Kentucky with a population of 2,908. Residents earn $40,691 per year, which is 46% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,908 Population 799/sq mi density
$40,691 Median Income $28,641 per capita
$104,100 Home Value $120,908 Zillow
$577 Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
133 Violent Crime/100K 1,791 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$40,691 median income, 0.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$104,100 home value, $577/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
133 violent crimes/100K (65% below avg)
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,691
46% lower than US avg
Home Value $104,100
63% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 133/100K
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.8%
71% lower than US avg
Median Rent $577
50% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.3%
92% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.0%
29% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,908
Median Age47.5 yrs
Density799/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

B
Median Income$40,691
Per Capita$28,641
Unemployment0.3%
Poverty16.0%
County GDP$246M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$104,100
Rent$577
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$120,908

Crime

F
Violent133/100K
Property1,791/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault33/100K
Burglary398/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain53.1 in/yr
Elevation594 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.8%
High School+84.6%
School Score5.86

Community

2024 VoteR 84% / D 15%
Commute24 min
Libraries2

Is Marion a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Marion receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Marion has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Marion is $40,691, 46% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.3%. The poverty rate of 16.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Marion is $104,100, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $577 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Marion is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 133 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,791 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

9.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Marion enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Marion has a population of 2,908 with a density of 799 people per square mile. The median age is 47.5 years, 22% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.2%), with 1.7% Hispanic, 1.5% Black.

Population

2,908
Total Population
799
People / sq mi
47.5yrs
Median Age
22% above US avg
3.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.1%
Female 50.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Marion vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Marion vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Marion is $40,691, which is 46% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Marion vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,691
46% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,641
Avg Weekly Wage$809
IRS Avg AGI$54,298

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.3%
92% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.0%
29% above US avg
Establishments (County)215
County GDP$246M

Business (County)

Restaurants11
Healthcare11
Retail27
Manufacturing9

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,786
49% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.72%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.3 min
Work from Home6.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Marion is $104,100, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $577 (50% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $120,908.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,100
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$120,908

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$577
50% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$619
1 Bedroom$660
2 Bedrooms$866
3 Bedrooms$1,093
4 Bedrooms$1,300

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied66.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,786
49% below US avg
Effective Rate1.72%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.3%
Premature Death13,654/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access58.6%
Healthcare Facilities11
Marion has a violent crime rate of 133 per 100,000 residents, 65% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,791 per 100,000 (9% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Marion vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent132.7/100K
65% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape99.5/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault33.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,791.0/100K
9% below US avg
Burglary398.0/100K
Theft1,326.7/100K
Vehicle Theft66.3/100K
Arson66.3/100K

Traffic Safety

FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Marion has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 53.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average60.9°F
13% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall53.1 inches
40% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation594 ft (181 m)
Area3.6 sq mi (9.4 km²)
Population Density799/sq mi
Coordinates37.3317°N, 88.0812°W
County FIPS21055
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 9.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (71% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 68.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 83.6%
D 15.2%

Winner: Republican by 68.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.8%
71% below US avg
High School+84.6%
School Test Score5.86
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density799/sq mi
Total Area3.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities11
Restaurants11
Retail Stores27

Safety & Disasters

FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.3 min
Work from Home6.3%

Nearby Cities

Compare Marion with another city: