City · South Carolina
Marion, South Carolina
Marion, city, in Marion County, South Carolina. Marion had 6,028 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 6,448 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 6,206 (±20). GEOID 4544575.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,028
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,448 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,206 ±20
Median household income
$30,662
±$4,782 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$137,300
±$34,021 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$651
±$74 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
Where is Marion and what county is it in?
Marion is a city in Marion County, South Carolina. It covers 4.5 square miles of land, 1,440 residents per square mile in 2020.
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 6,028 people lived in Marion on July 1, 2025, down 5.8% since 2020, while South Carolina grew 8.8%. The 2020 Census counted 6,448 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 6,206 (±20).
| Measure | Marion | Marion County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,206 ±20 | 28,664 | −260 |
| Households | 2,520 ±338 | 12,177 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.45 ±0.33 | 2.34 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,952 ±354 | 14,505 | no clear change |
Marion's population since 2000
From 7,042 in 2000 to 6,028 in 2025: down 14.4%. 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 43.9 years old; 23.0% are under 18 and 25.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 66.7%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 30.2%.
| Measure | Marion | Marion County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9 ±9.9 | 42.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.0% ±5.1 pts | 22.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.1% ±4.4 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Male | 45.1% ±4.8 pts | 46.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.5% ±0.8 pts | 2.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 30.2% ±6.1 pts | 38.6% | +13.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 66.7% ±6.6 pts | 54.8% | −13.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±1.8 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±1.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.8 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.7% ±3.6 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0% ±3.8 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 21.5% ±5.4 pts | 18.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.7% ±4.7 pts | 13.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.1% ±3.8 pts | 86.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.8% ±5.9 pts | 14.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.1% ±4.5 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.0% ±5.0 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.9% ±3.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
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 2,520 households earn less than $30,662 a year (±$4,782), against $36,301 in Marion County and $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $40,994 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $10,332 after inflation. 26.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Marion | Marion County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $30,662 ±$4,782 | $36,301 | −$10,332 |
| Mean household income | $47,143 ±$8,648 | $51,314 | – |
| Per capita income | $21,210 ±$3,882 | $22,884 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 26.8% ±10.1 pts | 30.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 39.6% ±18.4 pts | 44.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 28.2% ±7.8 pts | 22.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 86.2% ±7.4 pts | 86.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 71.2% ±9.2 pts | 69.4% | – |
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 47.8% of Marion's occupied homes and renters 52.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $137,300 by its owner (±$34,021). The median renter pays $651 a month including utilities, and 30.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Marion | Marion County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $137,300 ±$34,021 | $93,200 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $651 ±$74 | $669 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.9% ±16.6 pts | 36.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,555 ±$513 | $1,064 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 47.8% ±9.0 pts | 62.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 52.2% ±9.0 pts | 37.4% | – |
| Housing units | 2,952 ±354 | 14,505 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.7 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.5% ±4.5 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.7% ±7.7 pts | 59.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.5% ±1.6 pts | 32.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±1.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.2% ±3.4 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.5% ±5.9 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 13.8% ±7.4 pts | 8.3% | – |
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 8 new housing units in Marion in 2025 (8 in single-family houses), 1.3 per 1,000 residents against 8.2 across South Carolina.
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?
88.9% of Marion's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 26.4 minutes.
| Measure | Marion | Marion County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 45.4% ±5.8 pts | 48.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% ±3.2 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 88.9% ±6.5 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.8% ±3.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±2.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±2.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.1% ±5.1 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.4 min ±3.3 | 28.3 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?
No census tract lies mostly in Marion; 3 tracts reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9502Marion County | 6,038 | $40,750 |
| Tract 9506Marion County | 5,667 | $32,801 |
| Tract 9501Marion County | 3,930 | $43,057 |
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 South Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Marion is the 4,399th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 59th-most populous of 271 in South Carolina.
Marion ranks 234th of 248 places in South Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 59th | 271 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 142nd | 149 |
| Residents per square mile | 69th | 261 |
| Median household income | 234th | 248 |
| Per capita income | 228th | 259 |
| Median home value | 186th | 248 |
| Median gross rent | 220th | 235 |
| Poverty rate | 67th | 214 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 135th | 226 |
| Median age | 60th | 261 |
| Owner-occupied share | 224th | 258 |
| Travel time to work | 94th | 261 |
Marion's figures with every place in South Carolina (CSV)
Every place in South Carolina, 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?
19 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.