Marion, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Marion, Alabama had a total population of 2,886, the 174th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $35,842, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
Marion Quick Facts
How Marion Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,275 | 2,886 | -11.9% |
| Median household income | $27,890 | $35,842 | No clear change (+28.5%) |
| Median home value¹ | $92,303 | $108,700 | No clear change (+17.8%) |
| Median gross rent | $457 | $588 | No clear change (+28.8%) |
How Marion Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 26.7%
- Black: 72.5%
- Hispanic: 0.6%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 21.6%
- HS Diploma: 35.1%
- Some College: 22.8%
- Associate's: 9.7%
- Bachelor's: 5.4%
- Graduate+: 5.4%
Marion Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Perry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uniontown | 1,798 | $33,750 | 43.7% | $67,300 |
Cities Similar to Marion
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stapleton | 3,009 | N/A | N/A | 33.2% | 4.4% |
| Brighton | 3,079 | $38,221 | $70,800 | 7.4% | 34.2% |
| East Brewton | 3,168 | $35,571 | $87,200 | 4.5% | 23.7% |
| Centreville | 2,741 | $39,477 | $161,300 | 13.9% | 18.8% |
| Abbeville | 2,748 | $31,712 | $107,600 | 17.1% | 21.7% |
Population Overview
Marion is a small community located in Alabama, within Perry County. The total population is 2,886. It ranks as the 174th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Marion is 34.2 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.3 years. Only 13.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Marion is $35,842. This is 44% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.1%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 10.1%. This is 115% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $108,700. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 60.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Marion is Black or African American, making up 72.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (26.7%) is well below the state average of 63.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (72.5% vs 25.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.6%.
Education
10.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Marion, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Marion, Alabama?
Marion, Alabama has a population of 2,886 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Marion, AL?
The median household income in Marion is $35,842, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Marion, AL?
The poverty rate in Marion is 20.1%. This means approximately 422 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Marion, Alabama?
Marion's population is 26.7% White, 72.5% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Marion, AL?
The median home value in Marion is $108,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Marion, Alabama?
10.8% of adults (25+) in Marion hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.