Marion, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Marion, Virginia had a total population of 5,670, the 192nd largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $40,896, which is 56% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.7%.
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.
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 | 5,694 | 5,670 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $37,357 | $40,896 | +9.5% |
| Median home value | $160,600 | $172,500 | +7.4% |
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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Marion Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Smyth County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chilhowie | 2,428 | $51,429 | 13.1% | $153,600 |
| Adwolf | 1,046 | $44,464 | 15.0% | $143,500 |
| Atkins | 985 | $48,500 | 8.2% | $86,200 |
| Seven Mile Ford | 644 | $38,003 | 21.4% | $173,300 |
| Sugar Grove | 563 | $45,676 | 17.8% | $56,400 |
| Allison Gap | 526 | $36,635 | 25.5% | $69,900 |
| McMullin | 324 | $68,750 | 10.5% | $144,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covington | 5,680 | $41,944 | $83,500 | 9.5% | 25.7% |
| Richlands | 5,171 | $37,154 | $111,000 | 13.5% | 30.2% |
| Emporia | 5,547 | $51,899 | $148,500 | 16.0% | 15.8% |
| Bensley | 5,949 | $50,547 | $218,500 | 17.6% | 22.0% |
| Galax | 6,726 | $38,675 | $141,300 | 19.1% | 31.1% |
Population Overview
Marion is a small city located in Virginia, within Smyth County. The total population is 5,670. It ranks as the 192nd most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Marion is 44.8 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Marion is $40,896. This is 56% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.7%. This is 109% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. 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 4.8%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $172,500. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 53.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Marion is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.8%. The Black or African American population (6.8%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
21.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Marion, Virginia 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 Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. 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, Virginia?
Marion, Virginia has a population of 5,670 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Marion, VA?
The median household income in Marion is $40,896, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Marion, VA?
The poverty rate in Marion is 20.7%. This means approximately 1,071 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Marion, Virginia?
Marion's population is 83.8% White, 6.8% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Marion, VA?
The median home value in Marion is $172,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Marion, Virginia?
21.4% of adults (25+) in Marion hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.