Marion, VA

Virginia

Marion is a small city in Virginia with a population of 5,694. Residents earn $37,357 per year, which is 50% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
5,694 Population 1,189/sq mi density
$37,357 Median Income $30,405 per capita
$160,600 Home Value $154,984 Zillow
$696 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
357 Violent Crime/100K 3,634 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$37,357 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$160,600 home value, $696/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
357 violent crimes/100K (6% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $37,357
50% lower than US avg
Home Value $160,600
43% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 357/100K
6% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.5%
33% lower than US avg
Median Rent $696
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.7%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.3%
17% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,694
Median Age44.2 yrs
Density1,189/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 88%

Economy

B
Median Income$37,357
Per Capita$30,405
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty10.3%
County GDP$1,349M
Commute16 min

Housing

A
Home Value$160,600
Rent$696
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$154,984

Crime

F
Violent357/100K
Property3,634/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault272/100K
Burglary492/100K

Health

Obesity38.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.6%
Heart Disease6.8%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain48.2 in/yr
Elevation2,128 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.5%
High School+82.7%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 19%
Commute16 min
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Marion a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Marion receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Marion has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Marion is $37,357, 50% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. 10.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Marion is $160,600, 43% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $696 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Marion is below the national average at 357 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,634 per 100,000, 85% above the national average.

Education

22.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Marion experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.2 inches, including 10.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Marion has a population of 5,694 with a density of 1,189 people per square mile. The median age is 44.2 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.2%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 6.6% Black.

Population

5,694
Total Population
1,189
People / sq mi
44.2yrs
Median Age
14% above US avg
4.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.8%
Female 52.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Marion vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.7%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.3%
83% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Marion vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Marion is $37,357, which is 50% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Marion vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$37,357
50% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,405
Avg Weekly Wage$928
IRS Avg AGI$51,317

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.3%
17% below US avg
Establishments (County)816
County GDP$1,349M

Business (County)

Restaurants54
Healthcare57
Retail105
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,212
37% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.38%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.2 min
Work from Home9.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Marion is $160,600, 43% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $696 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $154,984.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$160,600
43% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$154,984

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$696
40% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,137
1 Bedroom$1,181
2 Bedrooms$1,369
3 Bedrooms$1,787
4 Bedrooms$2,126

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied54.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,212
37% below US avg
Effective Rate1.38%
In Marion, 38.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.6% report depression. 29.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.7%
21% above US avg
Diabetes12.3%
Heart Disease6.8%
High Blood Pressure34.7%
Asthma11.7%
COPD8.9%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.8%
Physical Inactivity29.0%
Depression27.6%
Mental Distress21.0%
Physical Distress16.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.0%
Checkup Rate76.3%
Premature Death14,259/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access78.8%
Healthcare Facilities57
Marion has a violent crime rate of 357 per 100,000 residents, 6% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,634 per 100,000 (85% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent356.6/100K
6% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape34.0/100K
Robbery50.9/100K
Assault271.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,633.9/100K
85% above US avg
Burglary492.4/100K
Theft3,056.6/100K
Vehicle Theft84.9/100K
Arson50.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Marion has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average53.9°F
0% below US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.2 inches
27% above US avg
Snowfall10.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,128 ft (649 m)
Area4.8 sq mi (12.4 km²)
Population Density1,189/sq mi
Coordinates36.8374°N, 81.5157°W
County FIPS51173
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 22.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (33% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 60.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.9%
D 19.5%

Winner: Republican by 60.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.5%
33% below US avg
High School+82.7%
School Test Score5.58
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,189/sq mi
Total Area4.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities57
Restaurants54
Retail Stores105

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.2 min
Work from Home9.7%

Nearby Cities

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