Marion, NC

North Carolina

Marion is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 7,594. Residents earn $44,472 per year, which is 41% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
7,594 Population 1,118/sq mi density
$44,472 Median Income $20,340 per capita
$131,100 Home Value $237,051 Zillow
$687 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature
417 Violent Crime/100K 7,755 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$44,472 median income, 3.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$131,100 home value, $687/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
417 violent crimes/100K (10% above avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $44,472
41% lower than US avg
Home Value $131,100
53% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 417/100K
10% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.2%
58% lower than US avg
Median Rent $687
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.3%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.5%
65% higher than US avg

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

People

Population7,594
Median Age38.3 yrs
Density1,118/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 66%

Economy

C+
Median Income$44,472
Per Capita$20,340
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty20.5%
County GDP$2,767M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$131,100
Rent$687
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$237,051

Crime

F
Violent417/100K
Property7,755/100K
Murder25.3/100K
Assault316/100K
Burglary2,340/100K

Health

Obesity37.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.5%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain56.6 in/yr
Elevation1,323 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.2%
High School+78.4%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 25%
Commute27 min
EV Stations3
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, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, 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 $44,472, 41% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 20.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Marion is $131,100, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $687 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 417 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 7,755 per 100,000, 296% above the national average.

Education

14.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Marion enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 56.6 inches, including 7.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Marion has a population of 7,594 with a density of 1,118 people per square mile. The median age is 38.3 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (65.8%), with 3% Hispanic, 11.9% Black.

Population

7,594
Total Population
1,118
People / sq mi
38.3yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
6.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.8%
Female 46.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Marion vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only77.5%
1% below US avg
Spanish22.5%
68% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Marion vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Marion is $44,472, which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 20.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Marion vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$44,472
41% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,340
Avg Weekly Wage$911
IRS Avg AGI$57,015

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate20.5%
65% above US avg
Establishments (County)970
County GDP$2,767M

Business (County)

Restaurants89
Healthcare98
Retail140
Manufacturing49

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,571
2% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.72%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.1 min
Work from Home2.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Marion is $131,100, 53% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $687 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $237,051.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$131,100
53% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$237,051
Median List Price$274,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$274,900
$/Sq Ft$189
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio90.9%
Price Drops21.9%
Inventory32

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$687
41% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,282

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied46.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,571
2% above US avg
Effective Rate2.72%
In Marion, 37.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.5% report depression. 27.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.3%
16% above US avg
Diabetes11.8%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure36.2%
Asthma10.8%
COPD8.4%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.1%
Physical Inactivity27.5%
Depression25.5%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress14.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate79.7%
Checkup Rate77.1%
Premature Death10,422/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access61.6%
Healthcare Facilities98
Marion has a violent crime rate of 417 per 100,000 residents, 10% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 7,755 per 100,000 (296% above US avg). The murder rate is 25.3 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent417.5/100K
10% above US avg
Murder25.3/100K
302% above US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery75.9/100K
Assault316.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property7,754.6/100K
296% above US avg
Burglary2,340.3/100K
Theft5,148.6/100K
Vehicle Theft265.7/100K
Arson63.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Marion has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 56.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average57.9°F
7% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall56.6 inches
49% above US avg
Snowfall7.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,323 ft (403 m)
Area6.8 sq mi (17.6 km²)
Population Density1,118/sq mi
Coordinates35.6776°N, 82.0013°W
County FIPS37111
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 14.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 49.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.2%
D 25.1%

Winner: Republican by 49.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.2%
58% below US avg
High School+78.4%
School Test Score5.46
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,118/sq mi
Total Area6.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities98
Restaurants89
Retail Stores140

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.1 min
Work from Home2.3%

Nearby Cities

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