City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Marion, KY

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Marion - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,908
Residents
$40,691
Median income
$104,100
Median home
$866
Median rent (state)

Marion - the verdict

Nationally, Marion sits in the 8th percentile for household income and the 55th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

8th
percentile, household income
11th
percentile, home value
1st
percentile, median rent
55th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Marion, KY

Kentucky's Marion is a small town, with 2,908 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $40,691 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 16.0%. Marion's housing stock carries a median value of $104,100, and the median resident age is 47.5 years. Educational attainment runs 9.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 46.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 48 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 4700% from five years earlier. Marion reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1212.3 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Kentucky run below the national norm: the state registers 90.2 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $866 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Kentucky run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 30.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

2,908 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$40,691 /yr

Poverty 16.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Marion compare to other US cities?

Here's how Marion stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 8% higher than other cities
Home value 11% pricier than other cities
Median rent 1% pricier than other cities
Safety 55% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Kentucky and the picture shifts: Marion ranks #126 of 181 Kentucky cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Marion against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Kentucky only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Kentucky-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Marion near the bottom of Kentucky's cities

Among the 520 Kentucky cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Marion ranks #366 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Marion only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#369 of 485
24th percentile in Kentucky
Median Gross Rent
#366 of 520
0th percentile in Kentucky
Median Home Value
#367 of 484
24th percentile in Kentucky
Poverty Rate
#193 of 519
62nd percentile in Kentucky
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#393 of 520
24th percentile in Kentucky

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Kentucky only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

8thIncome percentile
55thSafety percentile

8th percentile nationally for median household income · 55th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Marion's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Marion's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 52 Avg. percentile National median
Marion's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Marion's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$104,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 89% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Marion $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Marion, KY Marion, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Marion, KY-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Marion, KY median $40,691/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Marion, KY's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Marion, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 46.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,908
Median Income
$40,691
Median Home Value
$104,100
Median Age
47.5
Poverty Rate
16.0%
Labor force participation
46.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1212.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
34.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1177.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,860 residents2,880 residents2,900 residents2,920 residents2,940 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,916 residents 2,879 residents ▼ -1.3%
Marion's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
48
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
48
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
16.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 1
2021 1
2022 1
2023 0
2024 48

Permit volume increased 4700% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
66.2%
Carpool
24.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.2%
Work from Home
6.3%

Based on 1,096 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Kentucky - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Kentucky state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Kentucky state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Marion sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$866/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
30.4 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Brandenburg
2,907 people
Sorgho
2,928 people
Eddyville
2,945 people
Springfield
2,871 people
Indian Hills
2,870 people
Rineyville
2,869 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Marion's 2,908 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lake Shastina, CA
2,908 people
Mount Gilead, OH
2,909 people
Desert Hills, AZ
2,910 people
Pima, AZ
2,910 people
Arkwright, SC
2,910 people
Amesti, CA
2,905 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Marion's $40,691 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

La Mesa, NM
$40,694 median income
Fifth Street, TX
$40,699 median income
Crossville, IL
$40,682 median income
Shenandoah, PA
$40,702 median income
June Lake, CA
$40,703 median income
Ocilla, GA
$40,677 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Marion, KY Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Marion, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.9% White 95.2% Black or African American 1.5% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.2% Two or more races 3.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Marion compares to nearby Kentucky cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Marion (this city) 2,908 $40,691
Brandenburg 2,907 $48,281
Sorgho 2,928 $118,688
Eddyville 2,945 $58,527
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Marion, KY?

What is the population of Marion, KY? +

2,908 people live in Marion, KY according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Marion, KY? +

The median household income in Marion is $40,691 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Marion? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Marion; the closest available measure is the Kentucky state average, a cost of living index of 90.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Kentucky vary by metro area.

Is Marion, KY safe? +

Marion has a total crime rate of 1212.3 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Marion, KY? +

Homes in Marion carry a median value of $104,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.