CountyScore

Marion County

Iowa · IA

#48 in Iowa
70.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Marion County, Iowa

Marion scores 41% above the national median

Marion County's composite score of 70.7 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties for livability. This strong national performance reflects particularly solid health and affordability dimensions.

Above Iowa's average, a strong choice

Marion's score of 70.7 ranks above Iowa's state average of 69.3, positioning it among the state's better-performing counties. The county represents an above-average Iowa option for livability.

Health and taxes stand out

Marion boasts a health score of 81.9, reflecting strong healthcare access and wellness outcomes, and a tax score of 65.9 with a 1.292% effective rate. Housing remains reasonably affordable at $880 monthly rent and $211,100 median home value.

Income levels remain modest

The income score of 34.3 reflects median household earnings of $78,059, limiting wealth-building potential compared to higher-wage counties. Cost affordability, while solid at 76.2, trails the top performers in this group.

Balanced option for health-minded families

Marion County suits working families and retirees who value accessible healthcare and reasonable housing costs over maximum income potential. It offers a well-rounded quality of life without extreme affordability or high-wage opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax65.9Cost76.2SafetyComing SoonHealth81.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome34.3Risk65.7WaterComing Soon
🏛65.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤81.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡65.7
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

Greene County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $84,530
Jenkins County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $36,906
Lincoln County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $50,688
Wilkinson County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $46,673
Blaine County
Idaho
70.7
Median income: $84,470

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 taxes moderate on national scale

Marion County's effective tax rate of 1.292% exceeds the national median of 1.099%, placing it around the 50th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $2,727 rivals the national median of $2,690, offering homeowners a near-average national experience despite Iowa's generally higher rates.

Marion just below state average

At 1.292%, Marion County's effective rate sits just below Iowa's state average of 1.344%, making it one of the more affordable options statewide. The median property tax of $2,727 is 26% above Iowa's average of $2,160, reflecting the county's relatively high home values of $211,100.

Marion competes well regionally

Marion County's 1.292% rate is the second-lowest in its peer group, trailing only Louisa (1.273%), and significantly undercutting Linn (1.661%), Madison (1.554%), and Marshall (1.514%). With homes valued similarly to Linn at $211,100, Marion residents enjoy considerably lower tax bills.

What homeowners pay annually

A typical Marion County homeowner with a median-valued house of $211,100 pays approximately $2,727 per year in property taxes. Those with mortgages face slightly higher bills at $2,778, while those who own outright average $2,625 annually.

You may be paying too much

Marion County homeowners should not assume their assessed values are accurate. If your assessment appears high relative to comparable nearby properties, contact your county assessor about filing an appeal.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Marion County

via CostByCounty

Marion's Rents Above National Norm

Marion County renters spend 13.5% of their income on rent, slightly above the national average and tracking with Iowa's state average of 14.1%. Median income of $78,059 sits above the national median of $74,755, helping offset the higher median rent of $880.

Slightly Above Iowa Average

Marion County's 13.5% rent-to-income ratio runs just above Iowa's state average, while median rent of $880 exceeds the state average of $812 by $68. Still, solid median income of $78,059 provides a cushion compared to lower-earning counties.

Fourth-Highest Rents Regionally

Marion's median rent of $880 ranks fourth among the eight counties, notably higher than Louisa ($797) and Lucas ($738) but lower than Linn ($915) and Madison ($938). Home values of $211,100 reflect a county with moderate investment appeal.

Well-Distributed Housing Burden

Marion households earning $78,059 spend $880 on median rent (13.5% of income) or $1,074 on mortgages (16.4% of income). These ratios are reasonable, suggesting housing costs won't severely constrain other essential spending.

Marion Offers Balanced Growth

Marion County suits relocating professionals with decent income and willingness to pay moderate-to-above-average rents for community stability. The county's home values and rental costs suggest a maturing, economically sound area worth exploring.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Marion County

via IncomeByCounty

Marion County income exceeds national median

Marion County's median household income of $78,059 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $3,304. This 4.4% advantage places Marion solidly in the upper half of American income distributions.

Marion ranks above state average income

At $78,059, Marion County's median household income tops Iowa's state average of $69,830 by $8,229, placing it in the state's stronger-earning counties. This income leadership reflects Marion's balanced economy and manufacturing strength.

Marion competes strongly with neighbors

Marion County's $78,059 income outpaces Lucas County ($67,921) by $10,138 and Marshall County ($72,785) by $5,274. Within south-central Iowa, Marion ranks among the more prosperous counties economically.

Housing affordability is solid here

Marion County's 13.5% rent-to-income ratio means housing consumes roughly two and a half weeks of monthly earnings—well within affordability guidelines. The median home value of $211,100 is realistic for households earning $78,059 annually.

Marion's income supports financial goals

Marion County's above-average incomes and reasonable housing costs create real opportunity for wealth building through homeownership, retirement savings, and investment. Households here should capitalize on this favorable income-to-housing ratio by establishing long-term financial plans.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Marion County

via HealthByCounty

Marion County exceeds U.S. health marks

At 78.2 years, Marion County residents live 1.8 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Just 12.2% report poor or fair health, beating the national average of 16.8%. Marion County delivers above-average health outcomes across key indicators.

Above Iowa's health baseline

Marion County's 78.2-year life expectancy exceeds Iowa's 77.7-year state average by six months. The county's 12.2% poor/fair health rate ranks among Iowa's better performances. Marion County achieves solid health outcomes relative to its state peers.

Highest primary care in the region

Marion County has 96 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 157 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest primary care density among its neighbors. This abundant provider network ensures most residents find care nearby. Marion County has invested heavily in healthcare infrastructure.

Universal coverage and excellent access

At 4.1% uninsured, Marion County beats Iowa's 5.7% and the national 10.9% averages—a sign of strong employment and stable incomes. With 96 primary care providers per 100,000, Marion residents access care with minimal wait times. Few barriers stand between Marion County residents and healthcare.

Leverage Marion's strong healthcare

Nearly all Marion County residents carry coverage, but nearly 1 in 25 still lack it—visit Healthcare.gov to check your options. With the county's exceptional provider density, preventive care appointments should be easy to schedule. Use that access to stay ahead of health problems.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Marion County

via RiskByCounty

Marion County sits below state risk average

Marion County's composite risk score of 34.35 runs about 13 percent below Iowa's state average of 39.68, placing it in the very low risk category. This cushion suggests residents enjoy better-than-average protection from the state's natural hazards.

Safer than most Iowa counties

Marion ranks in the lower-risk quadrant of Iowa's 99 counties, with exposure levels meaningfully below the state median. This favorable standing reflects geographic and climatic factors that reduce the county's overall vulnerability to major natural disasters.

Higher risk than nearby Lucas and Mahaska

Marion's 34.35 score exceeds both Lucas County (29.68) and Mahaska County (29.74) but remains well below Marshall County (62.47) to the north. This positioning places Marion at the higher end of the south-central Iowa safety cluster.

Tornadoes emerge as primary threat

Tornado risk of 67.75 significantly outpaces your other exposures, making spring storm season your highest-risk period. Flood risk at 41.22 and wildfire risk of 50.57 round out your secondary concerns, both manageable but worth monitoring.

Prioritize wind coverage for tornadoes

Your elevated tornado risk relative to other hazards means wind and hail coverage is essential in your homeowners policy. Standard policies typically include these protections, but verify your coverage limits are adequate for replacement costs in your area.

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.