Marion, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Marion, Illinois had a total population of 16,836, the 151st largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $56,912, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Marion Quick Facts
How Marion Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,796 | 16,836 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $57,281 | $56,912 | -0.6% |
| Median home value | $145,300 | $158,300 | +8.9% |
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
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Marion Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Williamson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbondale | 22,158 | $32,128 | 37.4% | $127,900 |
| Herrin | 12,226 | $59,975 | 14.5% | $113,300 |
| Carterville | 5,818 | $62,337 | 10.9% | $197,100 |
| Johnston City | 3,327 | $42,465 | 17.8% | $88,100 |
| Crainville | 1,641 | $65,461 | 10.2% | $185,300 |
| Cambria | 1,300 | $57,756 | 18.5% | $143,800 |
| Energy | 1,050 | $65,357 | 15.2% | $151,800 |
| Hurst | 700 | $36,635 | 31.4% | $68,600 |
| Pittsburg | 682 | $53,203 | 17.9% | $129,200 |
| Stonefort | 422 | $56,477 | 11.6% | $65,700 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mattoon | 16,586 | $51,597 | $97,700 | 19.5% | 21.3% |
| Bridgeview | 16,849 | $66,655 | $236,400 | 18.1% | 12.8% |
| Charleston | 17,062 | $49,300 | $137,400 | 33.3% | 26.3% |
| Jacksonville | 18,014 | $65,432 | $128,200 | 22.6% | 18.4% |
| Sterling | 14,717 | $57,350 | $108,700 | 21.1% | 15.3% |
Population Overview
Marion is a small city located in Illinois, within Williamson County. The total population is 16,836. It ranks as the 151st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Marion is 42.2 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 10.3% 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 is $56,912. This is 32% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.3%. This is 13% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $158,300. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Marion is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Marion is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
28.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Marion, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. 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, Illinois?
Marion, Illinois has a population of 16,836 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Marion, IL?
The median household income in Marion is $56,912, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Marion, IL?
The poverty rate in Marion is 13.3%. This means approximately 2,200 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Marion, Illinois?
Marion's population is 84.5% White, 8.0% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Marion, IL?
The median home value in Marion is $158,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Marion, Illinois?
28.5% of adults (25+) in Marion hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.