County · Iowa
Marion County, Iowa
Marion County, Iowa. Marion County had 34,192 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.3% since 2020, faster than Iowa (+1.5%). It holds 9 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs) and 10 census tracts. GEOID 19125.
Marion County is the county of the Pella, IA micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
34,192
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 33,414 · ACS 2020-2024: 33,642
Median household income
$78,680
±$3,041 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$233,000
±$9,817 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$884
±$35 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Marion County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 33,414 residents in Marion County. The Census Bureau estimates 34,192 for July 1, 2025, up 2.3% since 2020, faster than Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 33,642 over 554 square miles of land.
| Measure | Marion County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 33,642 | 3,210,507 | +470 |
| Households | 13,316±258 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.40±0.05 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 14,386±39 | 1,437,699 | +150 |
Marion County's population since 2000
From 32,052 in 2000 to 34,192 in 2025: up 6.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Marion County?
Marion County holds 9 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Pella with 10,992 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Pella | 10,464 | $84,111 |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | 7,595 | $61,599 |
| Pleasantville | 1,676 | $67,614 |
| Melcher-Dallas | 1,195 | $58,611 |
| Bussey | 387 | $43,125 |
| HarveyGEOID 1934860 | 236 | $52,250 |
| HamiltonGEOID 1933870 | 119 | $63,750 |
| SwanGEOID 1976665 | 76 | not published |
| MarysvilleGEOID 1950070 | 44 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Marion County?
The median resident of Marion County is 39.9 years old; 23.1% are under 18 and 19.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.3%. 2.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Marion County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.9±1.1 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.1%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.4%±0.2 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% | 7.3% | +0.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.3%±0.3 pts | 82.3% | −1.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | −0.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.3 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.3%±0.4 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1%±0.4 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.3%±0.9 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.7%±0.8 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 13.6%±1.1 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.5%±0.7 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.8%±1.0 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.1%±2.5 pts | 31.4% | +3.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.7%±1.6 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6%±0.4 pts | 2.2% | – |
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 County earn?
Half of Marion County's 13,316 households earn less than $78,680 a year (±$3,041), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $75,119 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Marion County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $78,680±$3,041 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $100,547±$5,955 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,274±$2,163 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.2%±1.3 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.7%±2.0 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.9%±1.5 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.4%±1.6 pts | 88.9% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 77.7% of Marion County's occupied homes and renters 22.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $233,000 by its owner (±$9,817). The median renter pays $884 a month including utilities, and 31.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Marion County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $233,000±$9,817 | $208,000 | +$39,412 |
| Median gross rent | $884±$35 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.2%±5.4 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,546±$94 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.7%±1.9 pts | 71.7% | +6.9 pts |
| Housing units | 14,386±39 | 1,437,699 | +150 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.5%±3.7 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.5%±1.7 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.0%±1.2 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 20.3%±1.8 pts | 23.5% | – |
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 County building?
Builders took permits for 339 new housing units across Marion County in 2025 (255 single-family), 9.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Marion County get to work?
78.8% of Marion County's workers drive alone and 10.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.2%.
| Measure | Marion County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.5%±1.4 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.2%±0.7 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.8%±2.4 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.5%±1.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 3.3%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.2%±1.9 pts | 11.3% | +4.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.0 min±1.2 | 19.8 min | +1.7 min |
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 are Marion County's census tracts?
Marion County is divided into 10 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $60,101 (Tract 305) to $103,644 (Tract 301.01).
| Tract 301.0119125030101 | 5,016±438 | $103,644 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 301.0219125030102 | 3,175±359 | $70,103 |
| Tract 302.0119125030201 | 3,949±407 | $96,656 |
| Tract 302.0219125030202 | 3,147±321 | $79,626 |
| Tract 30319125030300 | 3,067±197 | $68,692 |
| Tract 304.0119125030401 | 4,339±386 | $80,076 |
| Tract 304.0219125030402 | 3,716±368 | $93,938 |
| Tract 30519125030500 | 2,089±278 | $60,101 |
| Tract 30619125030600 | 2,604±331 | $76,667 |
| Tract 30719125030700 | 2,540±281 | $66,111 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Marion County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 21st of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 12th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 19th of 99 |
| Median household income | 15th of 99 |
| Median home value | 12th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 25th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 75th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11th of 99 |
| Median age | 73rd of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 County 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' school search.