Population 29,250 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Marion County
Household size in Marion County
| Period | Marion County | Chattanooga area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.49 | 2.48 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.49 | 2.53 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.48 | 2.50 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.47 | 2.50 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.02 | +0.02 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Marion County run small, averaging 2.47 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. The picture is much the same across the Chattanooga area.
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 | Chattanooga area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.5 | 39.6 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.7 | 40.5 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.6 | 41.3 | 39.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.0 | 41.2 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.5 | +1.6 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
Marion County skews older than the country: its median age is 43.0, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.5, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the northwest and oldest in the east.
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 | Chattanooga area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 11.2% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.1% | 11.2% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.0% | 9.8% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.7% | 11.1% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit more common in Marion County than nationally: 12.7%, against 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 1.9 points, even as the national share fell.
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 | Chattanooga area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.0% | 30.9% | 30.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.7% | 32.2% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.0% | 32.9% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.5% | 31.8% | 33.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | +1.0 pts | +2.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Marion County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.5% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Just over half of owners (52.5%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 1.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 | Chattanooga area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.8% | 11.3% | 11.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 11.8% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.1% | 11.6% | 11.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.6% | 9.9% | 10.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.6% 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 has edged up 0.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 | Chattanooga area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1977 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1978 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1984 | 1980 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1985 | 1983 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +6 | +6 |
The housing in Marion County is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1985, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1980 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the southwest has the oldest housing.
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 | Chattanooga area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $635 | $731 | $761 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $629 | $803 | $837 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $746 | $876 | $961 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $885 | $1,184 | $1,286 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$250 | +$454 | +$526 | +$606 |
The median renter in Marion County pays $885 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $250 a month since 2006–10, up 39%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 30.3% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the northwest; 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 | Chattanooga area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.3% | 22.9% | 23.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.4% | 24.3% | 25.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.7% | 27.2% | 27.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.3% | 31.6% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Marion County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 17.3%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.0 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the northwest and least in the southwest.
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 | Chattanooga area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 74.1% | 82.5% | 83.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 77.0% | 84.9% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.6% | 87.4% | 87.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 83.1% | 89.5% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.0 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in six adults in Marion County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 83.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 9.0 points, mirroring the country. Marion County has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five Tennessee 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 | Chattanooga area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 9.1% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 9.3% | 9.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.6% | 4.9% | 5.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.1% | 4.7% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −4.4 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs high in Marion County: 7.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Of Tennessee's 95 counties, only nine have higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 2.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 | 2.47 | 43.0 | 12.7% | 21.5% | 14.6% | 1985 | $885 | 17.3% | 83.1% | 7.1% |
| Hamilton County | 2.47 | 40.5 | 10.7% | 36.1% | 9.1% | 1981 | $1,317 | 36.9% | 90.8% | 4.7% |
| Franklin County | 2.40 | 42.7 | 8.3% | 22.6% | 13.6% | 1984 | $961 | 25.6% | 91.8% | 2.8% |
| Bradley County | 2.58 | 40.6 | 10.8% | 32.7% | 8.3% | 1986 | $1,068 | 25.1% | 88.6% | 6.4% |
| Moore County | 2.49 | 45.6 | 10.4% | 17.5% | 8.3% | 1992 | $912 | 22.8% | 91.3% | 4.6% |
| Lincoln County | 2.42 | 42.3 | 11.4% | 24.2% | 9.4% | 1984 | $869 | 20.8% | 87.4% | 5.1% |
| Polk County | 2.45 | 44.7 | 9.3% | 16.4% | 17.8% | 1989 | $733 | 16.5% | 85.8% | 5.4% |
| Giles County | 2.49 | 43.2 | 10.0% | 26.7% | 15.8% | 1983 | $868 | 19.9% | 88.2% | 5.0% |
| Cherokee County | 2.22 | 53.5 | 8.6% | 16.3% | 25.9% | 1993 | $880 | 24.8% | 92.4% | 3.5% |
| Lawrence County | 2.72 | 39.4 | 9.9% | 22.4% | 9.8% | 1983 | $814 | 15.4% | 86.3% | 5.0% |
| Clay County | 2.28 | 56.5 | 5.8% | 18.8% | 32.5% | 1989 | $773 | 32.3% | 92.7% | 3.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Aibonito Municipio, PR · Vernon County, WI · Wabash County, IN · Wakulla County, FL · Wapello County, IA · Ware County, GA · Washington County, GA · Warren County, MO · Allen County, KY · Alexander County, NC
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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