Marion, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Marion, Indiana had a total population of 27,531, the 38th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $43,343, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
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 | 27,384 | 27,531 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $43,349 | $43,343 | -0.0% |
| Median home value | $83,200 | $85,300 | +2.5% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Marion Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Grant County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas City | 6,076 | $55,982 | 16.8% | $119,300 |
| Upland | 3,918 | $83,839 | 9.7% | $203,200 |
| Fairmount | 2,662 | $51,739 | 25.7% | $103,200 |
| Jonesboro | 1,578 | $45,833 | 16.3% | $79,500 |
| Sweetser | 1,061 | $80,625 | 11.8% | $153,400 |
| Swayzee | 846 | $65,391 | 10.8% | $121,000 |
| Converse | 813 | $65,536 | 18.9% | $103,800 |
| Van Buren | 782 | $47,692 | 19.7% | $69,800 |
| Matthews | 501 | $50,048 | 15.5% | $80,100 |
| Herbst | 309 | $40,366 | 20.4% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Chicago | 26,022 | $42,125 | $105,400 | 10.7% | 26.3% |
| Michigan City | 31,814 | $53,089 | $143,100 | 20.3% | 19.8% |
| Richmond | 35,581 | $45,399 | $114,400 | 20.1% | 25.4% |
| Hobart | 29,558 | $75,160 | $215,200 | 21.2% | 10.0% |
| La Porte | 22,449 | $59,307 | $157,500 | 20.1% | 16.4% |
Population Overview
Marion is a mid-sized community located in Indiana, within Grant County. The total population is 27,531. It ranks as the 38th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Marion is 35.2 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Marion is $43,343. This is 40% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.6%. This is 140% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. 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 7.7%. This is 81% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $85,300. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Marion is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Marion is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.8%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Marion, Indiana 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 Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. 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, Indiana?
Marion, Indiana has a population of 27,531 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Marion, IN?
The median household income in Marion is $43,343, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Marion, IN?
The poverty rate in Marion is 29.6%. This means approximately 7,061 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Marion, Indiana?
Marion's population is 73.4% White, 9.8% Black, 8.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Marion, IN?
The median home value in Marion is $85,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Marion, Indiana?
16.9% of adults (25+) in Marion hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.