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Marion, IL

Frequently asked questions

Marion, IL

The city of Marion is the county seat of Williamson County, Illinois, United States. The population in Marion City, IL was 16,867 per American Community Survey data for 2018-2022. It is part of a dispersed urban area that developed out of the early 20th-century coal fields.

Today Marion serves as the largest retail trade center in Southern Illinois with its central location along Interstate 57 and Illinois Route 13. It was dubbed the "Hub of the Universe" by former mayor Robert L. Butler. Today, the motto under current Mayor, Mike Absher, is the "Oasis of Opportunity." The city is part of the Marion-Herrin Micropolitan Area and is a part of the Carbondale-Marion-Herrin, Illinois Combined Statistical Area with 123,272 residents, the sixth most populous Combined statistical area in Illinois.

Marion is in central Williamson County, with a narrow strip of city limits extending south beyond Creal Springs to the valley of Sugar Creek in Johnson County. Marion is 44 miles (71 km) south of Mount Vernon, Illinois, and 57 miles (92 km) north of Paducah, Kentucky. Carbondale is 17 miles (27 km) to the west, and Harrisburg is 22 miles (35 km) to the east.

According to the 2010 census, Marion has a total area of 16.217 square miles (42.00 km²), of which 15.99 square miles (41.41 km²) (or 98.6%) is land and 0.227 square miles (0.59 km²) (or 1.4%) is water.

Following the creation of Williamson County out of the south half of Franklin County by the Illinois General Assembly, three commissioners appointed by the lawmakers met at Bainbridge, Illinois, on August 19, 1839, to locate a new county seat as close to the center of the county as possible. The next day, August 20, they laid out a town of 20 acres (81,000 m²) with a public square about one-quarter of a mile east of the county's center, but a point on top of a slight hill of 448 feet (137 m) above sea level. The site sat in a small open grassland known as Poor Prairie. For a name, they chose Marion to honor American Revolutionary War hero Gen. Francis "Swamp Fox" Marion.

As of the census of July 1, 2022, there were 16,729 people, and 8,028 households residing in the city. The population density was 1,171.1 per square mile in 2020. There were 7,555 housing units at an average density of 589.0 per square mile (227.4/km²). The owner-occupied housing rate is 62.0%. The median value of owner-occupied housing is $143,600, and the median gross rent is $823 per month.

The health and wellness of Marion's residents are well-prioritized, with Shawnee Health playing a pivotal role in providing comprehensive healthcare services. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Marion Illinois Park District offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Fight Fitness 618, Quest Fitness Center, and Raw Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Marion, such as the Ray Fosse Park and Pyramid State Recreation Area. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Marion, IL are Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Lake of Egypt, and Tunnel Hill State Trail.

Population: 17,021 (2024). ZIP code: 62959. Area code: 618. Elevation: 440 ft (130 m). Area: 14.62 sq mi (37.86 km²).

FAQs

Is Marion, IL a good place to live?

Living in Marion offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many young professionals and retirees live in Marion and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Marion are above average.

What is the ethnicity of Marion, IL?

Marion, IL is home to a population of 16.9k people, of which 98.7% are citizens. As of 2022, 2.22% of Marion, IL residents were born outside of the country (374 people). In 2022, there were 17.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (14.4k people) in Marion, IL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 817 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 701 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is the crime rate in Marion, IL?

The crime rate in Marion is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 19 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Marion is 1 in 52. Based on FBI crime data, Marion is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Illinois, Marion has a crime rate that is higher than 87% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Marion

Shawnee Health 

Marion Illinois Park District 

Fight Fitness 618

Quest Fitness Center 

Raw Fitness

Ray Fosse Park 

Pyramid State Recreation Area

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

Lake of Egypt

Tunnel Hill State Trail

Niche

Data USA

Neighborhoodscout

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