RANK #674 / 1001 NAT · #39 / 49 OH · POP 65,020
1YR FORECAST: +1.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
Marion County, Ohio, is perhaps best known as the home of the annual Marion Popcorn Festival, an event that draws large crowds each September with live music, rides, and various popcorn-themed foods. Located in north-central Ohio, approximately 45 miles north of Columbus, the county offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and historical significance. The community has a generally quiet and safe feel, with a focus on local connections. Outdoor recreation opportunities include the Marion Tallgrass Trail, a 12.44-mile paved path for walking, jogging, and biking, and various county parks offering fishing and hiking.
Life in Marion County offers a more budget-friendly lifestyle compared to larger metropolitan areas, attracting families and those seeking accessible homeownership. The local economy, while historically rooted in manufacturing, is diversifying. Recent economic developments include significant investments in manufacturing, particularly in household appliances, and growth in logistics and education sectors. Educational institutions like Marion Technical College and The Ohio State University at Marion contribute to a skilled workforce, with programs in areas such as robotics training. The county also benefits from its proximity to Columbus, offering diverse employment opportunities and contributing to a stable housing demand.
Marion County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.8% matches the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Marion County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Marion County Solar Project
Savion (formerly Marion County Solar Project LLC)
|
$100M | Permitting/Planned |
|
Chestnut Solar
National Renewable Energy Corporation
|
$68M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 32/100, Marion County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $59,371 combined with job growth of +1.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
By national standards, Marion County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $156,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $864/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Marion County are hiring — job growth of +1.5% — but the population is close to flat (-0.2% YoY). Home values moved +4.8% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.11% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Marion County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.