Population 17,228 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Marion County
Household size in Marion County
| Period | Marion County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.34 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.40 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.45 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.24 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.10 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Marion County are small: just 2.24 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.34, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Arkansas' 75 counties, only four have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Marion County
| Period | Marion County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.1 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 50.4 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 50.4 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 50.8 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.7 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Marion County skews older: half of its residents are older than 50.8, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 49.1, mirroring the country. Only one other Arkansas county is older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Marion County
| Period | Marion County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.1% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.9% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.0% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.0% of households in Marion County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged up 0.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only one other Arkansas county has a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Marion County
Renters in Marion County
| Period | Marion County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.4% | 32.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.8% | 33.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.1% | 34.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.7% | 33.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | +1.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 18.7% of households in Marion County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 59.5% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the east and least common in the northwest. Only three of Arkansas' 75 counties have a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Marion County
| Period | Marion County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.0% | 13.4% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.2% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 26.7% | 14.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.0% | 13.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 20.0% of the housing in Marion County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 1.0 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Marion County
| Period | Marion County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1983 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1988 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Marion County are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1986, versus 1980 across the U.S. Arkansas as a whole looks much the same. The median year built has moved up from 1980 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Marion County
| Period | Marion County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $519 | $660 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $573 | $718 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $634 | $785 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $844 | $1,007 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$325 | +$346 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Marion County costs $844 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $325 a month since 2006–10, up 63%, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 24.4% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the center; the most affordable are in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Marion County
Bachelor's degrees in Marion County
| Period | Marion County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.2% | 20.6% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.8% | 21.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.6% | 23.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.9% | 26.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | +5.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Marion County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 14.9%, against 35.6% nationally. Compared with other Arkansas counties, Marion County has a lower share of college graduates than most.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Marion County
| Period | Marion County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.1% | 82.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.5% | 84.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.5% | 86.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.6% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | +6.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Marion County never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Marion County has a lower share of high school graduates than most Arkansas counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Marion County
| Period | Marion County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Marion County is close to the national rate: 4.9% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 2.3 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Marion County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion County | 2.24 | 50.8 | 6.0% | 18.7% | 20.0% | 1986 | $844 | 14.9% | 85.6% | 4.9% |
| Baxter County | 2.22 | 51.0 | 9.2% | 24.8% | 13.5% | 1986 | $838 | 19.2% | 89.6% | 6.2% |
| Boone County | 2.50 | 43.0 | 7.8% | 29.2% | 12.3% | 1986 | $737 | 17.0% | 92.5% | 2.7% |
| Izard County | 2.47 | 46.4 | 12.2% | 24.6% | 21.0% | 1984 | $760 | 20.1% | 87.3% | 7.0% |
| Fulton County | 2.54 | 49.0 | 7.7% | 15.3% | 22.5% | 1985 | $640 | 16.0% | 88.4% | 4.9% |
| Carroll County | 2.65 | 44.3 | 7.0% | 22.5% | 17.3% | 1987 | $832 | 18.9% | 83.2% | 5.0% |
| Sharp County | 2.63 | 45.4 | 10.8% | 21.2% | 24.7% | 1981 | $762 | 15.1% | 85.1% | 6.7% |
| Benton County | 2.75 | 36.8 | 10.3% | 33.0% | 8.8% | 2000 | $1,374 | 38.4% | 90.2% | 3.1% |
| Randolph County | 2.60 | 41.0 | 13.7% | 26.5% | 14.4% | 1981 | $753 | 11.2% | 83.2% | 4.6% |
| Clay County | 2.35 | 42.7 | 14.0% | 25.3% | 19.5% | 1973 | $749 | 15.2% | 87.4% | 5.7% |
| Mayes County | 2.59 | 41.0 | 11.2% | 25.6% | 14.9% | 1983 | $870 | 18.3% | 89.8% | 6.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Blanco County, TX · Bertie County, NC · Bethel Census Area, AK · Bienville Parish, LA · Big Horn County, MT · Big Horn County, WY · Blackford County, IN · Blaine County, MT · Blaine County, OK · Berrien County, GA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Marion County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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