Marion, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Marion, North Carolina had a total population of 7,579, the 127th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $51,314, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 7,594 | 7,579 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $44,472 | $51,314 | +15.4% |
| Median home value | $131,100 | $163,500 | +24.7% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Marion Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in McDowell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebo | 1,670 | $50,139 | 16.9% | $129,800 |
| West Marion | 1,066 | $36,715 | 15.1% | $161,600 |
| Old Fort | 555 | $47,500 | 13.7% | $135,900 |
| Glenwood | 226 | $120,694 | 0.0% | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brevard | 7,897 | $54,103 | $450,000 | 43.5% | 15.1% |
| King | 7,408 | $57,817 | $238,200 | 22.8% | 7.0% |
| Siler City | 7,995 | $46,566 | $154,600 | 16.8% | 33.9% |
| Clinton | 8,304 | $44,953 | $212,000 | 23.8% | 23.6% |
| Dunn | 8,559 | $46,830 | $193,900 | 20.9% | 19.7% |
Population Overview
Marion is a small city located in North Carolina, within McDowell County. The total population is 7,579. It ranks as the 127th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Marion is 39.1 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Marion is $51,314. This is 29% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.5%. This is 81% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 5.4%. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $163,500. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 51.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Marion is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (19.8% vs 11.3%).
Education
15.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Marion, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. 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, North Carolina?
Marion, North Carolina has a population of 7,579 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Marion, NC?
The median household income in Marion is $51,314, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Marion, NC?
The poverty rate in Marion is 23.5%. This means approximately 1,538 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Marion, North Carolina?
Marion's population is 61.1% White, 11.2% Black, 19.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Marion, NC?
The median home value in Marion is $163,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Marion, North Carolina?
15.6% of adults (25+) in Marion hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.