County · Kentucky
Marion County, Kentucky
Marion County, Kentucky. Marion County had 20,115 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.8% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). It holds 5 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 21155.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,115
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,581 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,749
Median household income
$59,627
±$7,914 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$168,100
±$6,693 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$726
±$42 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Marion County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 19,581 residents in Marion County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,115 for July 1, 2025, up 2.8% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 19,749 over 344 square miles of land.
| Measure | Marion County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 19,749 | 4,534,824 | +505 |
| Households | 7,724±188 | 1,814,469 | +319 |
| Average household size | 2.45±0.06 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,477±60 | 2,023,116 | +169 |
Marion County's population since 2000
From 18,212 in 2000 to 20,115 in 2025: up 10.4%. 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 5 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Lebanon with 6,699 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lebanon | 6,274 | $45,479 |
|---|---|---|
| Loretto | 723 | $61,250 |
| Bradfordsville | 270 | $29,722 |
| RaywickGEOID 2164146 | 155 | $37,273 |
| St. MaryGEOID 2167890 | 138 | $47,500 |
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 40.4 years old; 23.8% are under 18 and 17.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 7.6%. 2.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Marion County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.4±1.0 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.8% | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.3%±0.4 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.7% | 5.0% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.4%±0.3 pts | 81.5% | −1.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.6%±0.9 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.6 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.7%±1.0 pts | 4.7% | +1.4 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.7%±0.7 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.8%±1.5 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 19.3%±2.2 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.1%±1.0 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.2%±2.2 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.1%±2.3 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.8%±1.6 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 2.4% | – |
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 7,724 households earn less than $59,627 a year (±$7,914), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 the median was $49,359 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,268 after inflation. 17.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Marion County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,627±$7,914 | $63,726 | +$10,268 |
| Mean household income | $72,085±$4,667 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,597±$1,938 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.0%±2.9 pts | 16.1% | −6.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.1%±6.7 pts | 20.3% | −11.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.3%±2.8 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.3%±3.0 pts | 88.6% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 77.7% of Marion County's occupied homes and renters 22.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $168,100 by its owner (±$6,693). The median renter pays $726 a month including utilities, and 36.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Marion County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $168,100±$6,693 | $205,600 | +$38,385 |
| Median gross rent | $726±$42 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.7%±9.4 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,243±$79 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.7%±3.2 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,477±60 | 2,023,116 | +169 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.1%±4.5 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.1%±3.0 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 13.8%±2.5 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.6%±1.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.3%±2.3 pts | 9.0% | – |
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 County building?
Builders took permits for 56 new housing units across Marion County in 2025 (33 single-family), 2.8 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?
84.6% of Marion County's workers drive alone and 3.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.2%.
| Measure | Marion County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.3%±2.4 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2%±1.6 pts | 4.9% | −4.7 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 84.6%±3.2 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.4%±2.5 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.1%±1.8 pts | 10.2% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.4 min±1.8 | 24.0 min | +3.2 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 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $57,824 (Tract 9708) to $65,476 (Tract 9703).
| Tract 970221155970200 | 4,887±492 | $58,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970321155970300 | 2,361±297 | $65,476 |
| Tract 970421155970400 | 3,067±304 | $61,458 |
| Tract 970521155970500 | 1,854±276 | $58,370 |
| Tract 970721155970700 | 5,380±494 | $62,542 |
| Tract 970821155970800 | 2,200±308 | $57,824 |
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 Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 60th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 48th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 63rd of 120 |
| Median household income | 54th of 120 |
| Median home value | 46th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 80th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 70th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 83rd of 120 |
| Median age | 81st of 120 |
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.