City · Illinois
Marion, Illinois
Marion, city, in Williamson County, Illinois. Marion had 17,148 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 16,855 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 16,836 (±34). GEOID 1746916.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
17,148
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 16,855 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,836 ±34
Median household income
$56,912
±$6,517 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$158,300
±$9,997 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$921
±$60 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
Where is Marion and what county is it in?
Marion is a city in Williamson County, Illinois. It covers 14.4 square miles of land, 1,170 residents per square mile in 2020.
Marion is in the Marion-Herrin, IL micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Marion, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 17,148 people lived in Marion on July 1, 2025, up 1.8% since 2020, while Illinois shrank 0.8%. The 2020 Census counted 16,855 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 16,836 (±34).
| Measure | Marion | Williamson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,836 ±34 | 66,876 | −759 |
| Households | 8,260 ±329 | 28,983 | +781 |
| Average household size | 1.99 ±0.08 | 2.23 | −0.30 |
| Housing units | 9,050 ±357 | 32,084 | no clear change |
Marion's population since 2000
From 16,035 in 2000 to 17,148 in 2025: up 6.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Marion as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Marion?
The median resident of Marion is 42.2 years old; 21.0% are under 18 and 23.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 8.0%. 2.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Marion | Williamson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.2 ±2.0 | 41.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.0% ±2.5 pts | 21.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.5% ±2.4 pts | 19.6% | – |
| Male | 47.7% ±2.3 pts | 50.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.7% ±1.3 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.5% ±2.2 pts | 87.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 8.0% ±1.5 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.4% ±1.1 pts | 1.4% | +1.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.4% ±0.9 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.3% ±0.9 pts | 2.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.6% ±1.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.6% ±1.5 pts | 8.7% | – |
| With a disability | 22.3% ±2.7 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.8% ±1.6 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.1% ±1.4 pts | 92.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.5% ±3.1 pts | 26.2% | +5.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.9% ±2.1 pts | 10.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.9% ±2.5 pts | 87.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1% ±0.9 pts | 2.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Marion earn?
Half of Marion's 8,260 households earn less than $56,912 a year (±$6,517), against $65,604 in Williamson County and $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $53,538 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Marion | Williamson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,912 ±$6,517 | $65,604 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $79,224 ±$6,205 | $85,846 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,024 ±$2,901 | $37,284 | +$5,485 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.3% ±3.0 pts | 13.8% | −5.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.7% ±8.1 pts | 17.8% | −14.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.6% ±3.2 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.2% ±3.1 pts | 92.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.3% ±3.5 pts | 87.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Marion?
Owners occupy 63.3% of Marion's occupied homes and renters 36.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $158,300 by its owner (±$9,997). The median renter pays $921 a month including utilities, and 36.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Marion | Williamson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $158,300 ±$9,997 | $156,400 | +$16,155 |
| Median gross rent | $921 ±$60 | $930 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.3% ±7.4 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,233 ±$91 | $1,374 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.3% ±4.0 pts | 70.7% | +8.5 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 36.7% ±4.0 pts | 29.3% | – |
| Housing units | 9,050 ±357 | 32,084 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.1% ±1.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.7% ±3.2 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.5% ±4.1 pts | 74.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.3% ±1.6 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1% ±0.9 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 8.7% ±2.6 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.6% ±2.9 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.9% ±2.8 pts | 6.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Marion building?
Builders took permits for 88 new housing units in Marion in 2025 (27 in single-family houses), 5.1 per 1,000 residents against 1.5 across Illinois.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Marion work and get to work?
80.3% of Marion's workers drive alone and 11.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.5%.
| Measure | Marion | Williamson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.9% ±2.6 pts | 58.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5% ±1.5 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.3% ±3.6 pts | 82.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.3% ±3.0 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.5% ±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.3% ±3.0 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.9 min ±2.8 | 23.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Marion?
5 census tracts lie mostly in Marion, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $41,825 (Tract 211) to $65,733 (Tract 210.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 212Williamson County | 3,803 | $62,159 |
| Tract 211Williamson County | 2,816 | $41,825 |
| Tract 210.01Williamson County | 2,377 | $49,250 |
| Tract 213Williamson County | 5,237 | $100,383 |
| Tract 209Williamson County | 4,937 | $80,125 |
| Tract 210.02Williamson County | 1,745 | $65,733 |
| Tract 210.03Williamson County | 1,079 | $43,942 |
| Tract 214Williamson County | 5,541 | $82,806 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Marion) · Census block assignment files
How does Marion compare with other places in Illinois?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Marion is the 2,193rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 150th-most populous of 1,294 in Illinois.
Marion ranks 1,166th of 1,380 places in Illinois with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 150th | 1,294 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 144th | 1,347 |
| Residents per square mile | 554th | 1,383 |
| Median household income | 1,166th | 1,380 |
| Per capita income | 666th | 1,383 |
| Median home value | 765th | 1,379 |
| Median gross rent | 695th | 1,280 |
| Poverty rate | 361st | 1,119 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 516th | 1,369 |
| Median age | 562nd | 1,383 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,224th | 1,382 |
| Work from home | 490th | 1,015 |
| Travel time to work | 1,002nd | 1,382 |
Marion's figures with every place in Illinois (CSV)
Every place in Illinois, sortable · Compare Marion with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Marion?
8 of the 57 figures for Marion on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Marion are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Marion.