West Marion, NC

Full City Profile · North Carolina · McDowell County County

3.1 /5.0
B Good
1,018 Population 688/sq mi density
$38,523 Median Income $22,127 per capita
$123,300 Home Value $237,051 Zillow
$822 Median Rent 28.8% income on rent
58°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$38,523 median income, 9.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$123,300 home value, $822/mo rent
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.7% bachelor's degree or higher

West Marion, NC

At a Glance

Median Income
$38,523
49% below
$22,127 per capita
Home Value
$123,300
56% below
Zillow: $237,051
Median Rent
$822/mo
29% below
28.8% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
12.7%
62% below
91.6% high school+
Unemployment
9.3%
158% above
12.5% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
37.1%
16% above
18.6% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
58°F

How West Marion Compares to the U.S. Average

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

Income
51%
Home Value
44%
Rent
71%
Poverty
101%
Bachelor's
38%
Unemployment
258%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is West Marion a Good Place to Live?

B
3.1 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

West Marion residents earn a median household income of $38,523 , which is 49% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $22,127. The unemployment rate stands at 9.3% (158% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 970 business establishments, including 89 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in West Marion is $123,300 , 56% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $237,051. Median rent is $822/month, with 28.8% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 94.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1987.

Education

12.7% of adults in West Marion hold a bachelor's degree or higher (62% below the national average). 91.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.5/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

West 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 totals 56.6 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population1,018
Median Age35.0 yrs
Density688/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Foreign Born2.4%
Veterans6.8%

Economy

C
Median Income$38,523
Per Capita$22,127
Unemployment9.3%
Poverty12.5%
County GDP$2,767M
Avg Weekly Wage$911

Housing

A+
Home Value$123,300
Rent$822
Ownership60.8%
Zillow$237,051
Housing Units597
Rent Burden28.8%

Health

Obesity37.1%
Diabetes11.4%
Smoking18.6%
Heart Disease6.8%
Premature Death10,422/100K

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
Rain56.6 in/yr
Elevation1,495 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.7%
High School+91.6%
Graduate+3.3%
School Score5.5/10

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 25%
Commute18 min
Broadband91.6%
Internet Speed112 Mbps
EV Stations3
Libraries2

Did You Know?

The median home in West Marion was built in 1987.
The nearest airport is Foothills Regional (26 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.441 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
15.9% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 112 Mbps.
The county recorded 7 fatal vehicle crashes.