So we hear you’ve been thinking about moving to Marion, Ohio! This is a great choice. Marion is affordable, family-friendly, and the perfect hybrid of city and small town. There are lots of great things to do and tons of amazing people to meet in the area. 

Before you finalize your decision, we’ll help you get to know the neighborhood so you feel confident that Marion is the perfect new home for you. Here’s what you should know about moving to Marion:

• History of Marion
• Facts and figures about Marion
• Local favorite things to do in Marion
• And more!
  

History of Marion

Before Moving to Marion, Get to Know the History of Your New Home

Named in honor of General Francis Marion of the American Revolution, the town of Marion was laid out in 1822. It was incorporated as a village by the state of Ohio in the 1829-1830 Legislature session, and in March of 1830, Marion elected its first mayor.

Marion was home to a number of abolitionists in the nineteenth century. During the pre-Civil War 1800s, Marion served as a stop in the Underground Railroad. It was known as the River to Lake Freedom Trail. 

Marion grew in size and economic strength thanks to its status as one of Ohio’s major industrial centers from the nineteenth century until the 1970s.The Marion Steam Shovel Company produced materials for projects as significant as the Panama Canal, the Hoover Dam, and the Holland Tunnel.

In fact, in 1911, 80% of the United States’ steam shovel and heavy-duty earth-moving  equipment was manufactured in Marion. NASA even worked with Marion Power Shovel to manufacture materials for moving the Saturn V rockets — a part of Project Apollo — to their launch pads.

Nowadays, the city is a rail center for CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway. Thanks to its proximity to nearby farms, Marion is able to participate significantly in the trade of grain-based food and snack products.

Marion by the Numbers

Learn About Marion’s Economy, Demographics, and What It’s Really Like to Live Here

Before making the big move to Marion, you want to know what you’re getting into. That’s why we have all the information you need on Marion’s population, economy, and climate right here.

Your New Neighbors

The population of Marion, Ohio sits at 36,399. The population density is 3,088 people per square mile. Marion is definitely not the smallest town in Ohio, but is far from the hustle and bustle of nearby Columbus. Its population size has stayed consistent in the last 10 years. 

The median age is about 37.5, which is around the same as the U.S. average. 41% of the residents in Marion are part of a married couple, and 7,741 of the 13,008 households in the area are families. 

Families with kids in Marion send their children to one of the 22 schools in the area. The public school district, Marion City School District, is full of schools that are considered safe and supportive of students. Harding High School has an 85% graduation rate, and Niche reports that students from the area are most interested in attending Ohio State University and Ohio University. 

This includes the 187-acre Ohio State Marion campus. There are 1,158 students on this campus — much more intimate than the 61,369-person Columbus campus! It is considered one of the best schools in Ohio for social work. Students can study for one to three years in Marion before transitioning to Columbus to complete their degree. Overall, the educational opportunities in Marion are promising. 

In terms of politics, Marion is considered to be moderately conservative, consistently voting Republican in the last six elections. About one third of people in Marion are religious, with most of the religious people following some form of Christianity. Around 84% of Marion residents are white, 9% are black, and 3% claim Hispanic or Latino heritage. 

Economy and Jobs

The unemployment rate in Marion sits at 5.0%, well below the national average of 6.0%. While the COVID-19 pandemic shut down many jobs, greatly hindering economic growth, Marion has seen its job market increase over the last year. 

This growth is expected to continue at a rate of 26.2% over the next ten years. Some of the most common industries that Marion residents work in are manufacturing, retail trade, information, transportation, and construction. Two of the biggest employers in the area are Whirlpool Corporation and Nucor Steel.

The median family income in Marion is $47,005 — while at first this may sound low, it is important to keep Marion’s low cost of living in mind. This is especially true in the areas of housing and transportation. 

The median home cost in Marion is $56,900. These homes are appreciating in value — over the past 10 years, appreciation has been 13.4%. Renters make up about a third of the population, with rents much lower than you could find in the middle of a big city!

Overall, Marion is considered a very affordable town with a strong, crisis-resistant economy. 

Weather and Climate

Like most towns in Ohio, Marion is no stranger to any of the four major seasons. You’ll get your fair share of spring, summer, fall, and winter every year! In July — the hottest month — the average high temperature is 83.4 degrees, while the January low is 18 degrees. This is around the average for the state of Ohio overall.

Each year, on average, there are 175 sunny days and 129 days of precipitation. This precipitation includes around 38 inches of rain and 23 inches of snow each year.

Marion is ranked 6.9 out of 10 on the BestPlaces Comfort Index. June, August, and September are considered the most pleasant months of the year in this area, while January and December are the least comfortable.

Get to Know Marion Like a Local

Where People Shop, Dine, and Hang Out in Marion

Once you get to Marion, you’ll want to immediately immerse yourself in the great restaurants and shops this area has to offer. You’ll blend right in with longtime residents when you check out these local spots!

For information on these spots and more, check out MarionMade!, a community initiative for highlighting the best and brightest in Marion. 

Attaboys Comfort Cuisine

The Best Southern-Style Comfort Food in Town!

289 W Center St | Marion | attaboys-comfort-cuisine.business.site

Southern food, comfort food, soul food — whatever you call it, Attaboys has it, and they make it better than anyone else in Marion, Ohio! 

Some of their most popular menu items include fried chicken, deep fried mac & cheese bites, chicken and waffles, BBQ pulled pork, and Philly cheesesteaks, amongst other amazing dishes! For dessert, dig into their classic American treats like peach cobbler and apple pie, or their more daring desserts like deep-fried strawberry shortcake!

Local residents and visiting travelers alike rave about the amazing service at Attaboys. The servers, cooks, hosts, and owners of this establishment go out of their way to provide you with the best experience possible.

“This food is made fresh, made with love, and made right! I promise you, between big helpings and flavor for days, you will NOT be disappointed. And I need to stress the staff. They treated us with such warmth, and this was at the end of their busy day!” — Google Review

Southern Accents Boutique

Small Town, Big Style!

187 W Center St | Marion | southernaccentsboutiquemarion.com

Located inside the quaint Charleston Place shopping center, Southern Accents Boutique is everything that a Marion-area fashionista needs in her life! 

Southern Accents Boutique is always getting new inventory to match the season’s latest fashion trends. They sell blouses, dresses, skirts, shorts, pants, shoes, accessories, and more! Visit their website above for a sneak peek at their currently available apparel. 

In addition to selling the most up-to-date fashions, Southern Accents carries a variety of home decor items and specialty gifts. This includes tons of Ohio and Ohio State themed items! They also carry many items from the popular brand Vera Bradley, from backpacks to duffels to wallets and more.

“I love to shop locally. This store has something for everyone. Everything always looks so stylish. Plus I absolutely love Vera Bradley, which is carried here.” — Google Review

OK Café

Marion’s Favorite Neighborhood Bar & Café!

734 E Center St | Marion | facebook.com

OK Café is one of the most iconic establishments in all of Marion, Ohio! This bar, restaurant, and café is perfect for anything you want, from a night out to a casual lunch. 

The restaurant is known for its delicious pizza, sandwiches, and wings. In the summertime, cool off with a special frozen cocktail alongside your meal as you enjoy OK Café’s outdoor seating. 

In addition to all of the great food and drinks they serve, the restaurant is constantly organizing fun events and entertainment for its patrons. On any given night, you could find yourself at OK Café enjoying some live music, playing a game of team trivia, or stealing the spotlight at karaoke night!

“Awesome place seriously!! … Always nice to us, food’s always great especially the pizza and salads! Quick service every time we've ever ordered and just all around a great experience. Thanks!.” — Yelp Review

Lincoln Park 

This Park is a Real Breath of Fresh Air!

879 N Prospect St | Marion | marionohio.us

There are many wonderful parks in Marion, Ohio that you will frequent after moving in. At 89 acres Lincoln Park is one of the biggest parks in the area. Whether you want to have a picnic with your significant other, exercise by yourself, or take your children somewhere special to play, Lincoln Park is right for you.

In addition to all the wonderful free green space across the park, there are many amenities. This includes a modern playground, basketball courts, 12 baseball diamonds (which make up the Baseball for Youth complex), sledding hill, 5 shelters, restrooms, and the aquatic center.

Yes, you read that right — this park is home to the Lincoln Park Family Aquatic Center. This is a great place to cool off during the hot summer months. It features a lazy river, pools, diving boards, slides, and a sprayground!

“This was our first time at the park & we loved it. Everything was kept up, there was an amazing looking water park, a skate park, baseball fields, basketball court & lots of seating areas for picnics. Definitely a 5 star park in our book!!!” — Google Review

El Campesino Mexican Bar & Grill

Take a Trip to Mexico Without Leaving Town!

1834 Marion-Waldo Rd | Marion | elcampesino-marion.com

The owners of El Campesino take great pride in the authenticity of their Mexican cuisine. They offer a wide selection of flavorful, special dishes that you are sure to love. 

Here, you'll enjoy classic Mexican dishes like fajitas, tamales, enchiladas, tostadas, and much more! El Campesino also serves delicious Mexican-inspired drinks, such as margaritas and tequila-based mixed drinks. 

El Campesino was started by a man named Joel Aguirre in Atlanta, Georgia. Joel was inspired by the life of his father, a hard-working immigrant who dreamed of building a strong life for his family in the United States. 

“I love the food here. Max and his staff are friendly, quick to help, and ensure you have everything you need or want. We felt welcome from the time we arrived and received a sincere farewell on the way out. Great place!” — Google Review

Marion is a small city with a lot to offer. On any given day, you can check out shops like Southern Accents Boutique or grab a bite at a restaurant like OK Café. You can hang out with a group of your new neighbors at Lincoln Park, or drive one hour to Columbus for some fun in the city!

This town clearly has it all. So what are you waiting for? Contact HER Realtors for more information about moving to Marion today!