Marion, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Marion, Kentucky had a total population of 2,886, the 129th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $39,414, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
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 | 2,908 | 2,886 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $40,691 | $39,414 | -3.1% |
| Median home value | $104,100 | $97,300 | -6.5% |
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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Marion Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Crittenden County
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Springs | 2,773 | $38,697 | $170,300 | 28.1% | 28.3% |
| Flemingsburg | 2,965 | $35,493 | $132,800 | 21.7% | 34.3% |
| Eminence | 2,724 | $41,734 | $192,600 | 8.3% | 26.6% |
| Irvine | 2,723 | $42,805 | $139,200 | 23.1% | 19.4% |
| Tompkinsville | 2,613 | $38,628 | $99,000 | 10.9% | 27.3% |
Population Overview
Marion is a small community located in Kentucky, within Crittenden County. The total population is 2,886. It ranks as the 129th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Marion is 45.5 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 11.1% 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 $39,414. This is 38% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.1%. This is 56% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. 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 1.7%. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $97,300. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Marion is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Marion has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.5%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 7.5%.
Education
13.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Marion, Kentucky 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 Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Kentucky city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Marion, Kentucky?
Marion, Kentucky 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, KY?
The median household income in Marion is $39,414, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Marion, KY?
The poverty rate in Marion is 25.1%. This means approximately 669 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Marion, Kentucky?
Marion's population is 90.6% White, 0.9% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Marion, KY?
The median home value in Marion is $97,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Marion, Kentucky?
13.5% of adults (25+) in Marion hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.