Marlin, TX

Texas · Metropolitan Area

Marlin is a small city in Texas with a population of 5,500. Residents earn $38,000 per year, which is 49% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
5,500 Population 1,217/sq mi density
$38,000 Median Income $19,447 per capita
$49,800 Home Value $92,212 Zillow
$739 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
363 Violent Crime/100K 1,209 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$38,000 median income, 7.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$49,800 home value, $739/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
363 violent crimes/100K (5% below avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $38,000
49% lower than US avg
Home Value $49,800
82% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 363/100K
5% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.4%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $739
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.1%
40% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.0%
94% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.0%
21% higher than US avg

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

People

Population5,500
Median Age36.8 yrs
Density1,217/mi²
Male / Female52% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 28%

Economy

C+
Median Income$38,000
Per Capita$19,447
Unemployment7.0%
Poverty15.0%
County GDP$669M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$49,800
Rent$739
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$92,212

Crime

F
Violent363/100K
Property1,209/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault259/100K
Burglary311/100K

Health

Obesity45.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.4%
Heart Disease7.3%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI42 (Good)
Rain39.1 in/yr
Elevation394 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.4%
High School+81.5%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 27%
Commute23 min
Libraries2

Is Marlin a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Marlin receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Marlin has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Marlin is $38,000, 49% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 15.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Marlin is $49,800, 82% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $739 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Marlin is below the national average at 363 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,209 per 100,000, 38% below the national average.

Education

11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Marlin enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Marlin has a population of 5,500 with a density of 1,217 people per square mile. The median age is 36.8 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (40.7%), with 27.5% White, 2.9% Hispanic.

Population

5,500
Total Population
1,217
People / sq mi
36.8yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
4.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.5%
Female 48.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Marlin vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.0%
15% above US avg
Spanish10.0%
25% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Marlin vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Marlin is $38,000, which is 49% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 15.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Marlin vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$38,000
49% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,447
Avg Weekly Wage$1,040
IRS Avg AGI$54,120

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.0%
94% above US avg
Poverty Rate15.0%
21% above US avg
Establishments (County)294
County GDP$669M

Business (County)

Restaurants18
Healthcare23
Retail48
Manufacturing12

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,350
53% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate10.74%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.3 min
Work from Home19.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Marlin is $49,800, 82% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $739 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $92,212.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$49,800
82% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$92,212
Median List Price$85,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$85,000
$/Sq Ft$51
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio78.7%
Price Drops19.1%
Inventory21

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$739
36% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$887
1 Bedroom$935
2 Bedrooms$1,149
3 Bedrooms$1,497
4 Bedrooms$1,733

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,350
53% above US avg
Effective Rate10.74%
In Marlin, 45.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.4% report depression. 38.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.1%
40% above US avg
Diabetes17.4%
Heart Disease7.3%
High Blood Pressure41.2%
Asthma12.3%
COPD9.4%
Stroke5.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.7%
Physical Inactivity38.8%
Depression24.4%
Mental Distress22.3%
Physical Distress17.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate74.4%
Checkup Rate75.5%
Premature Death12,250/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access37.3%
Healthcare Facilities23
Marlin has a violent crime rate of 363 per 100,000 residents, 5% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,209 per 100,000 (38% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent362.6/100K
5% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape69.1/100K
Robbery34.5/100K
Assault259.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,208.6/100K
38% below US avg
Burglary310.8/100K
Theft863.3/100K
Vehicle Theft34.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Marlin has an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average65.3°F
21% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.1 inches
3% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation394 ft (120 m)
Area4.5 sq mi (11.7 km²)
Population Density1,217/sq mi
Coordinates31.3080°N, 96.8932°W
County FIPS48145
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 44.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72%
D 27.3%

Winner: Republican by 44.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.4%
66% below US avg
High School+81.5%
School Test Score5.10
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,217/sq mi
Total Area4.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities23
Restaurants18
Retail Stores48

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.3 min
Work from Home19.4%

Nearby Cities

Compare Marlin with another city: