Marion, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Marion, Iowa had a total population of 41,896, the 13th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $86,743, which is 16% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 38.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
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 | 41,690 | 41,896 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $87,105 | $86,743 | -0.4% |
| Median home value | $230,800 | $241,700 | +4.7% |
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: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Marion Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Linn County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | 137,264 | $70,424 | 10.8% | $187,100 |
| Hiawatha | 7,206 | $66,270 | 13.7% | $216,900 |
| Mount Vernon | 4,513 | $112,656 | 8.2% | $245,200 |
| Robins | 3,332 | $122,262 | 8.9% | $413,400 |
| Fairfax | 2,900 | $114,375 | 6.2% | $274,500 |
| Center Point | 2,562 | $95,192 | 5.1% | $212,400 |
| Ely | 2,186 | $105,882 | 2.4% | $311,900 |
| Lisbon | 1,714 | $93,906 | 4.4% | $219,700 |
| Palo | 1,438 | $106,375 | 5.5% | $282,400 |
| Central City | 1,356 | $85,400 | 3.9% | $179,700 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Falls | 40,888 | $76,987 | $263,600 | 50.4% | 15.7% |
| Bettendorf | 39,647 | $100,495 | $306,500 | 50.7% | 6.7% |
| Urbandale | 46,595 | $112,795 | $335,500 | 51.2% | 6.8% |
| Waukee | 29,236 | $101,029 | $350,500 | 58.0% | 7.4% |
| Dubuque | 59,174 | $65,845 | $204,800 | 34.0% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Marion is a mid-sized community located in Iowa, within Linn County. The total population is 41,896. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Marion is 40.6 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Marion is $86,743. This is 16% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 7% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.2%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. The median home value is $241,700. Housing costs are 16% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Marion is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Marion has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
38.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Marion in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Marion, Iowa 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 Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. 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, Iowa?
Marion, Iowa has a population of 41,896 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Marion, IA?
The median household income in Marion is $86,743, which is 7% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Marion, IA?
The poverty rate in Marion is 8.2%. This means approximately 3,388 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Marion, Iowa?
Marion's population is 87.2% White, 2.6% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Marion, IA?
The median home value in Marion is $241,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Marion, Iowa?
38.1% of adults (25+) in Marion hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.