countyscore
50
County Score
Property Tax 86.7Cost of Living 80.8Weather & Climate 63.9

County Report Card

About Marion County, Arkansas

Marion slightly underperforms national standard

Marion County's composite score of 48.3 trails the national median of 50.0, placing it at approximately the 48th percentile nationwide. This rural county falls just shy of national benchmarks, reflecting a pattern of affordable living tempered by economic and health constraints.

Near-average performance for Arkansas

Marion's score of 48.3 places it very close to the Arkansas state average of 47.9, reflecting typical state-level patterns. The county ranks in the middle of Arkansas's 75 counties, neither particularly strong nor notably weak on livability.

Tax efficiency and housing affordability win

Marion excels with a tax score of 84.5 and an effective tax rate of 0.513%, paired with strong housing affordability reflected in median rent of $792/month and home values of $158,400. These factors make the county accessible for cost-conscious households.

Severe income stagnation and water quality issues

Marion's income score of just 9.3—the second-lowest in this group—reflects a median household income of only $46,953, severely limiting economic opportunity. Water quality (14.4) also trails badly, and health outcomes (35.2) suggest healthcare access challenges.

Suitable for those with very modest means

Marion County suits retirees on fixed incomes and workers in lower-wage jobs seeking maximum affordability with minimal tax burden. Families prioritizing income growth, robust infrastructure, or excellent schools should explore stronger-performing counties elsewhere in the state.

2040608010086.780.831.235.223.49.452.114.463.9Tax86.7Cost80.8Safety31.2Health35.2Schools23.4Income9.4Risk52.1Water14.4Weather63.950/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Marion County DNA

Foverall

How Marion County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Marion County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (86.7/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (14.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
86.7+34.7
Cost
80.8+32.8
Safety
31.2-23.8
Health
35.2-14.799999999999997
Schools
23.4-30.6
Income
9.4-41.6
Risk
52.1
Water
14.4-43.6
Weather
63.9
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Compare mortgage rates in Marion County

Whether buying or refinancing in Marion County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$163,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$795/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$163,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,800/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $48,619/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

5.9

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Dallas County
Alabama
Median income: $35,627
50
Randolph County
Georgia
Median income: $28,380
50
Wilson County
Kansas
Median income: $60,677
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Lincoln Parish
Louisiana
Median income: $39,172
50
Allegany County
Maryland
Median income: $59,603
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Frederick County
Maryland
Median income: $122,002
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Missaukee County
Michigan
Median income: $66,194
50
Otsego County
Michigan
Median income: $68,183
50

Nearby counties

Baxter County
Arkansas
44.3
Ozark County
Missouri
60.4
Boone County
Arkansas
53.7
Searcy County
Arkansas
64.6
Taney County
Missouri
42.3
Stone County
Arkansas
59
Izard County
Arkansas
57
Douglas County
Missouri
59.7

Deep Dives

Marion County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Marion County

via TaxByCounty

Marion ranks among nation's lower-tax counties

Marion County's 0.513% effective tax rate sits comfortably below the national median of 0.90%, placing it in the lower third of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $813 annually is less than one-third of the national median of $2,690.

Slightly below Arkansas state average

Marion County's 0.513% rate edges just below Arkansas's statewide average of 0.532%, making it one of the more affordable counties in the state. Homeowners pay a median of $813 in property taxes versus $705 statewide.

Middle ground among regional peers

Marion County's 0.513% rate sits between Madison County (0.445%) at the lower end and Mississippi County (0.558%) at the higher end regionally. The county occupies a middle position in the region's tax landscape.

Median annual tax: $813 for median home

The county's median home value of $158,400 multiplied by the 0.513% rate yields a median property tax of $813 per year. With mortgage escrow included, homeowners typically remit $960 annually.

Assessment errors may cost you money

Property assessments in Marion County may overvalue some homes—a costly mistake that homeowners can challenge for free. An appeal to the county assessor could uncover and correct overassessments, lowering your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Marion County

via IncomeByCounty

Marion faces significant income gap

Marion County's median household income of $46,953 falls 37% short of the national median of $74,755, ranking among Arkansas's lower-income counties. The county sits about $4,200 below the state average, reflecting structural economic challenges in rural northern Arkansas.

Bottom third of Arkansas counties

Marion County ranks in the lower tier of Arkansas counties by median household income, signaling limited job opportunities and lower wage levels than most of the state. Economic revitalization efforts remain critical to improving household earnings.

Lowest-earning in western cluster

Marion County's $46,953 trails neighboring Little River County ($52,241) and Logan County ($54,237) by $5,000–$7,000 annually. Among the eight-county group analyzed here, Marion ranks second-lowest, suggesting a need for targeted economic development.

Housing costs squeeze household budgets

Marion County's 20.2% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this group, signaling tighter budgets for renters despite affordability remaining below the 30% threshold. Median home values of $158,400 may stretch buyers earning at the county median, limiting homeownership wealth-building.

Prioritize emergency savings first

With tighter income-to-housing ratios, Marion County households should focus on building emergency funds and reducing debt before investing aggressively. Explore free financial literacy resources, investigate first-time homebuyer programs, and seek employer benefits like matching 401(k) contributions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Marion County

via CrimeByCounty

Marion County Outpaces National Safety

Marion County earns a high safety score of 97.4, with total crime at 1,620.8 per 100K. This is much lower than the national average crime rate of 2,385.5.

Strong Safety Performance in Arkansas

The county's safety score of 97.4 outperforms the state average of 96.3. Data from three reporting agencies confirms that Marion remains one of Arkansas's safer jurisdictions.

Safer Than the State Average

Marion County's total crime rate of 1,620.8 per 100K is nearly 700 points lower than the Arkansas average of 2,326.8. It serves as a peaceful community compared to many other regions in the state.

A Closer Look at Local Incidents

The violent crime rate is 402.2 per 100K, which is lower than the Arkansas average of 517.8. Property crime makes up the largest share of reports at 1,218.6 per 100K.

Smart Security for Peace of Mind

Most local incidents involve property, so basic preventative measures are highly effective. Residents should focus on securing outbuildings and ensuring home entries are well-monitored.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Marion County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Profiles in the Ozarks

Soil in Marion County is quite acidic, recording an average pH of 5.40. This acidity is typical for the region, falling below the Arkansas average of 5.56 and well under the national median of 6.5.

Light and Easy-to-Till Soil

The mineral mix consists of 25.8% sand, 33.3% silt, and 10.4% clay. This composition suggests a soil that is relatively light and easy to till, though it may require organic amendments to boost its structure over time.

Massive Organic Matter Reserves

This county boasts a staggering 22.61% organic matter, dwarfing the state average of 4.15%. However, its available water capacity is low at 0.097 in/in, meaning the soil may dry out quickly despite its rich organic content.

Monitoring Natural Water Drainage

Specific drainage and hydrologic classifications are currently unavailable for this county. Gardeners should monitor local spots for standing water, as the low clay content often indicates rapid water movement through the soil.

Resilient Planting in Zone 7b

Marion County resides in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, offering a climate suited for apples and hardy perennials. With such incredibly high organic matter already present, your garden is just a few seeds away from a thriving season.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Marion County

via LawnByCounty

Uphill battle for lawns in Marion County

A lawn difficulty score of 32.5 puts this county well below the state average of 37.3. Growers in this Zone 7b area must be diligent, as the environment presents more obstacles than the national median of 50.0.

Adapting to limited climate data

While specific temperature and precipitation averages are unavailable for this county, nearby trends suggest a need for heat-hardy grass varieties. Local conditions require a watchful eye on weather patterns to timing mowing and watering correctly.

Acidic soil profile needs attention

The soil pH sits at 5.40, which is significantly more acidic than the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for most grasses. With a composition of 25.8% sand and 10.4% clay, the soil may require organic matter to improve its structure and nutrient retention.

Severe drought covers the county

Almost 97% of Marion County is in a severe drought, following 29 weeks of dry conditions over the last year. Water conservation is paramount; consider allowing your lawn to go dormant during the hottest months to protect the root systems.

Focus on resilience and timing

Choose grass types that can handle both the acidity of the soil and the frequency of drought. Since frost dates are not specified, watch local forecasts closely to time your planting after the final spring freeze.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Marion County's county score?
Marion County, Arkansas has a composite county score of 50 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Marion County rank among counties in Arkansas?
Marion County ranks #33 among all counties in Arkansas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Marion County, Arkansas?
The median annual property tax in Marion County is $775, with an effective tax rate of 0.47%. This earns Marion County a tax score of 86.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Marion County?
The median household income in Marion County, Arkansas is $48,619 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Marion County earns an income score of 9.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Marion County, Arkansas a good place to live?
Marion County scores 50/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #33 in Arkansas. The best way to evaluate Marion County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Marion County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.