City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Marlin, TX

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

5,500
Residents
$38,000
Median income
$49,800
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Marlin - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Marlin lands in the 6th percentile for household income and the 56th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

6th
percentile, household income
0th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
56th
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: Marlin, TX

5,500 people live in Marlin, Texas - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $38,000 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 15.0%. Home values in Marlin run a median of $49,800, and the median resident age is 36.8 years. Educational attainment runs 11.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 45.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 4 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Low Activity). Marlin reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1195.6 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 65.3°F with 39.1 inches of precipitation per year.

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Texas scores 97.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $973 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Texas run around $223, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 26.2 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

5,500 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$38,000 /yr

Poverty 15.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Marlin compare to other US cities?

Where Marlin sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 6% higher than other cities
Home value 0% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 56% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Texas and the picture shifts: Marlin ranks #278 of 624 Texas cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Marlin's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Texas, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

6thIncome percentile
56thSafety percentile

6th percentile nationally for median household income · 56th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Marlin's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Marlin'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
Marlin'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 Marlin's home value compares nationally

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

$49,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 100% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $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. Marlin $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 - Marlin, TX Marlin, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Marlin, TX-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 Marlin, TX median $38,000/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%
Marlin, TX'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 Marlin, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 45.8%

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

Population
5,500
Median Income
$38,000
Median Home Value
$49,800
Median Age
36.8
Poverty Rate
15.0%
Labor force participation
45.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1195.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
232.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
963.6
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
39.1"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

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 →
5,400 residents5,450 residents5,500 residents5,550 residents5,600 residents5,650 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,438 residents 5,599 residents ▲ +3.0%
Marlin's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 1
2022 1
2023 0
2024 4

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
69.5%
Carpool
8.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.5%
Work from Home
19.4%

Based on 1,924 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$45
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$223
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Texas 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 Texas state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Marlin sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
26.2 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Sinton
5,513 people
Luling
5,486 people
Rockdale
5,455 people
Willow Park
5,447 people
Wyldwood
5,436 people
Atlanta
5,434 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Marlin's 5,500 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Oakwood, GA
5,499 people
Verdigris, OK
5,502 people
Kodiak, AK
5,497 people
Mead, CO
5,503 people
Holdrege, NE
5,503 people
Strawberry CDP (Marin County), CA
5,496 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Marlin's $38,000 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Fisher, AR
$38,000 median income
Ezel, KY
$38,000 median income
Whiteville, NC
$38,004 median income
Fayette, AL
$38,009 median income
Oaklawn-Sunview, KS
$37,986 median income
Abbeville, GA
$37,981 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Marlin, TX 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 Marlin, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 27.5% 40.8% 17.6% 10.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 30.6% White 27.5% Black or African American 40.8% Asian 17.6% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.8% Two or more races 10.8% 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 Marlin compares to nearby Texas cities

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

City Population Median Household Income
Marlin (this city) 5,500 $38,000
Sinton 5,513 $44,753
Luling 5,486 $55,733
Rockdale 5,455 $47,550
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Marlin, TX?

What is the population of Marlin, TX? +

Marlin, TX counts 5,500 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Marlin, TX? +

In Marlin, the typical household earns $38,000 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Marlin? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Marlin; the closest available measure is the Texas state average, a cost of living index of 97.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Texas vary by metro area.

Is Marlin, TX safe? +

Marlin has a total crime rate of 1195.6 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 Marlin, TX? +

A typical home in Marlin is worth $49,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Marlin? +

Climate normals put Marlin's yearly average temperature at 65.3°F, 39.1 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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 Editorial

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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.