Marion, NC Demographics

A map of Marion's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	4,634	5,208	61.1%	67.5%
Hispanic	1,498	1,191	19.8%	15.4%
Black	849	928	11.2%	12.0%
Asian	350	91	4.6%	1.2%
Multiracial	165	240	2.2%	3.1%
Native American/Other	83	59	1.1%	0.8%

Marion, North Carolina has an estimated population of 7,579, a slight decrease from the 7,717 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 61.1% White, 19.8% Hispanic, 11.2% Black, 4.6% Asian, 2.2% Multiracial, and 1.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Marion, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Marion has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Marion, that probability was 50.5% in 2020 and 57.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Marion is ranked the 127th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Marion was ranked the 119th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Marion's White Population

4,634 residents of Marion, or 61.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Marion is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Marion ranks 423rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Marion's White population has declined by an estimated 11.0%. White residents' share of Marion's population has decreased from 67.5% to 61.1%.

Marion is more White than neighboring Glenwood (43.8% White). Marion is less White than neighboring West Marion (86.5% White), Nebo (94.2% White), Old Fort (85% White), and Glen Alpine (82.7% White).

Marion's Black Population

849 residents of Marion, or 11.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Marion is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Marion ranks 380th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Marion's Black population has declined by an estimated 8.5%. Black residents' share of Marion's population has decreased from 12.0% to 11.2%.

Marion is more Black than neighboring West Marion (0.6% Black), Nebo (0.8% Black), Old Fort (4.9% Black), and Glen Alpine (2.5% Black). Marion is less Black than neighboring Glenwood (56.2% Black).

Marion's Asian Population

350 residents of Marion, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Marion is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Marion ranks 217th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Marion's Asian population has grown by an estimated 284.6%. Asian residents' share of Marion's population has increased from 1.2% to 4.6%.

Marion is more Asian than neighboring West Marion (0% Asian), Glenwood (0% Asian), Nebo (2% Asian), and Old Fort (0% Asian). Marion is less Asian than neighboring Glen Alpine (4.8% Asian).

Marion's Hispanic Population

1,498 residents of Marion, or 19.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Marion is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Marion ranks 96th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Marion's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 25.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Marion's population has increased from 15.4% to 19.8%.

Marion is more Hispanic than neighboring West Marion (12.9% Hispanic), Glenwood (0% Hispanic), Nebo (0.5% Hispanic), Old Fort (3.1% Hispanic), and Glen Alpine (5.8% Hispanic).

Marion's Native American/Other Population

83 residents of Marion, or 1.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Marion is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Marion ranks 380th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Marion's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 40.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Marion's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Marion is more Native American/Other than neighboring West Marion (0% Native American/Other), Glenwood (0% Native American/Other), Nebo (0% Native American/Other), and Glen Alpine (0.1% Native American/Other). Marion is less Native American/Other than neighboring Old Fort (2% Native American/Other).

Marion's Multiracial Population

165 residents of Marion, or 2.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Marion is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Marion ranks 531st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Marion's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 31.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Marion's population has decreased from 3.1% to 2.2%.

Marion is more Multiracial than neighboring West Marion (0.1% Multiracial), and Glenwood (0% Multiracial). Marion is less Multiracial than neighboring Nebo (2.6% Multiracial), Old Fort (5% Multiracial), and Glen Alpine (4.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.