Marion, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Marion, South Carolina had a total population of 6,206, the 92nd largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $30,662, which is 56% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
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 | 6,338 | 6,206 | -2.1% |
| Median household income | $27,767 | $30,662 | +10.4% |
| Median home value | $119,400 | $137,300 | +15.0% |
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: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Marion Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Marion 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darlington | 6,120 | $33,952 | $172,300 | 19.4% | 30.2% |
| Lake City | 5,988 | $33,600 | $144,300 | 19.6% | 25.7% |
| Dillon | 6,354 | $35,891 | $115,500 | 12.4% | 32.8% |
| Clemson University | 7,015 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 74.7% |
| Homeland Park | 6,632 | $40,218 | $103,700 | 9.2% | 36.2% |
Population Overview
Marion is a small city located in South Carolina, within Marion County. The total population is 6,206. It ranks as the 92nd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Marion is 43.9 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Marion is $30,662. This is 56% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 62% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.8%. This is 91% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. 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 4.7%. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $137,300. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 47.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Marion is Black or African American, making up 66.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 30.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (30.2%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (66.7% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 32.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Marion, South 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 South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Marion, South Carolina?
Marion, South Carolina has a population of 6,206 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Marion, SC?
The median household income in Marion is $30,662, which is 62% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Marion, SC?
The poverty rate in Marion is 26.8%. This means approximately 1,637 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Marion, South Carolina?
Marion's population is 30.2% White, 66.7% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Marion, SC?
The median home value in Marion is $137,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Marion, South Carolina?
19.8% of adults (25+) in Marion hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.