CountyScore

Marion County

Arkansas · AR

#20 in Arkansas
72
County Score

County Report Card

About Marion County, Arkansas

Marion surpasses national livability baseline

Marion's composite score of 72.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 44%, ranking it in the top 44% of American counties. The county delivers exceptional value on housing and tax burden for its income level.

Solid performer within Arkansas landscape

At 72.0, Marion scores just above Arkansas's 70.3 average, holding its own among the state's 75 counties in overall livability. It represents mainstream rural Arkansas quality of life with few standout features but consistent performance.

Low taxes and affordable housing throughout

Marion excels with a tax score of 87.8/100 (effective rate: 0.513%) and cost score of 86.1/100, delivering median rent of $792/month and median home value of $158,400. Health outcomes at 63.5/100 provide basic but adequate healthcare infrastructure.

Income levels lag significantly behind peers

Income score of 14.0/100 marks the second-lowest in this group, with median household income of $46,953—making Marion one of the county's most economically challenged. Risk score of 52.1/100 suggests moderate but persistent vulnerabilities.

Suits those prioritizing minimal living costs

Marion County appeals to retirees, fixed-income households, and families seeking the absolute lowest cost of living over employment opportunities. Its rock-bottom housing and tax costs make it ideal for those stretching limited budgets as far as possible.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax87.8Cost86.1SafetyComing SoonHealth63.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome14Risk52.1WaterComing Soon
🏛87.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡52.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Marion County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Logan County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $54,237
Nevada County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $41,761
Archuleta County
Colorado
72
Median income: $76,524
Echols County
Georgia
72
Median income: $61,723
Dubois County
Indiana
72
Median income: $71,918

Deep Dives

Marion County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Marion County

via CostByCounty

Marion County stretches housing dollars

Marion County renters face a 20.2% rent-to-income ratio, well above the national average of roughly 18%, signaling affordability strain. With the lowest household income in this cohort ($46,953), residents must allocate more earnings to rent than comparable national populations.

Marion County feels affordability pinch

Marion's rent-to-income ratio of 20.2% is the highest in this eight-county group and significantly above Arkansas's 18.1% state average. This reflects both lower household income and higher-than-median rents, placing Marion renters in the state's tighter affordability tier.

Marion rents strain local incomes

Marion County's $792 median rent ranks among the region's highest, yet household income of $46,953 is the lowest in the cohort, creating a perfect affordability storm. The 20.2% rent-to-income ratio far exceeds neighboring Little River (18.6%) and Madison County (16.2%).

Renters bear the heaviest load

Renters pay $792 monthly (20.2% of the $46,953 household income), consuming one-fifth of earnings—substantially more than the national benchmark. Homeowners fare better at $529 monthly (13.5% of income), suggesting that owning frees up income compared to renting.

Marion: weigh your options carefully

Marion County presents real affordability challenges for renters, with costs consuming over 20% of income; comparison shopping is essential. If you're relocating here, prioritize finding homeownership paths or consider neighboring counties like Madison or Logan for lower housing burdens.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Marion County

via HealthByCounty

Marion holds steady above state average

Marion County's 73.7-year life expectancy exceeds the Arkansas average of 72.3 years by 1.4 years, putting it closer to national norms. With 22.5% reporting poor or fair health, Marion ranks in the middle of the eight counties, reflecting moderate health challenges.

Above average health outcomes statewide

At 73.7 years, Marion County ranks above the Arkansas average and among the healthier counties in the state. This position reflects consistent healthcare access and community health management, though room for improvement remains.

Solid middle-ground performance

Marion's 73.7-year life expectancy sits between Lonoke County (74.1 years) and Little River County (71.8 years), positioning it as a stable, mid-range performer. The modest 22.5% poor/fair health rate suggests more residents enjoy good or excellent health than in several neighboring counties.

Strong primary care, limited mental health

Marion offers 29 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—above average for the region—but only 11 mental health providers per 100,000. The 10.0% uninsured rate matches the state average, indicating coverage gaps persist despite solid primary care access.

Expand mental health coverage too

Marion County's primary care strength should be paired with robust health insurance for comprehensive care, including mental health services. Check healthcare.gov to find plans that cover both your primary doctor and behavioral health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Marion County

via RiskByCounty

Marion County's Relatively Safe Profile

Marion County's composite risk score of 47.96 ranks Relatively Low, about 15% below the U.S. average. Earthquake risk (65.71) and tornado risk (55.82) represent the county's main concerns, while flood risk remains manageable at 43.07.

Among Arkansas's Safer Counties

At 47.96, Marion County's score sits well below Arkansas's state average of 55.51, positioning it as one of the state's lower-risk areas. The county avoids the extreme flood and seismic pressures facing eastern Arkansas.

In Regional Context

Marion County (47.96) ranks slightly higher than Little River (44.05) and Madison (45.07), its western neighbors. All three counties maintain similarly safe profiles within the state's Ozark region.

Marion's Main Hazards

Earthquakes (65.71) and tornadoes (55.82) present Marion County's primary risks, though neither reaches critical levels. Wildfire danger (64.98) is notably elevated compared to flood risk (43.07).

Essential Coverage Steps

Marion County homeowners should prioritize earthquake coverage, as seismic risk exceeds national norms in this region. Adding tornado and standard homeowner protection provides comprehensive security against the county's multiple hazards.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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