Marion, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Marion, South Dakota had a total population of 981, the 79th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $67,750, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.2%.
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 | 1,004 | 981 | -2.3% |
| Median household income | $72,969 | $67,750 | -7.2% |
| Median home value | $167,400 | $164,500 | -1.7% |
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: 35 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Marion Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Turner County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parker | 1,280 | $89,676 | 11.1% | $231,100 |
| Viborg | 958 | $51,944 | 18.7% | $156,700 |
| Centerville | 903 | $54,318 | 7.8% | $161,200 |
| Chancellor | 421 | $66,563 | 8.0% | $139,800 |
| Hurley | 394 | $73,750 | 10.7% | $111,200 |
| Monroe | 233 | $51,250 | 24.7% | $48,900 |
| Cameron Colony | 77 | N/A | 39.0% | N/A |
| Davis | 76 | $85,000 | 5.3% | $95,000 |
| Dolton | 21 | $63,929 | 4.8% | $160,600 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elkton | 977 | $69,688 | $185,100 | 21.6% | 26.7% |
| De Smet | 943 | $67,321 | $165,200 | 22.1% | 4.6% |
| Britton | 988 | $62,898 | $110,200 | 32.5% | 9.0% |
| Arlington | 920 | $71,296 | $144,300 | 21.1% | 19.1% |
| Colman | 948 | $76,146 | $235,800 | 38.0% | 11.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 981, Marion's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Marion is a small community located in South Dakota, within Turner County. The total population is 981. It ranks as the 79th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Marion is 51.7 years. This is 36% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 20.2% 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 $67,750. This is 10% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.8%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 0.2%. This is 93% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $164,500. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Marion is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Marion has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
18.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Marion, South Dakota 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 Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota. 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, South Dakota?
Marion, South Dakota has a population of 981 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Marion, SD?
The median household income in Marion is $67,750, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Marion, SD?
The poverty rate in Marion is 10.8%. This means approximately 98 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Marion, South Dakota?
Marion's population is 93.1% White, 0.0% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Marion, SD?
The median home value in Marion is $164,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Marion, South Dakota?
18.8% of adults (25+) in Marion hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.