Marion County, Florida Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Marion County is located in Florida with a total population of 387,697. It is the 18th most populous county out of 67 in Florida.

Age Demographics

The median age in Marion County is 48.2 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. 13.3% 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 County is $58,535. This is 18% lower than the state median of $71,711. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 25% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.6%. This is 16% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $220,800. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $325,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 76.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Marion County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.9%.

Education

22.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 33.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.6%.