1st Advantage MortgageMarion County households have a median income of $50,088 and median rent of $630 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Who lives in Marion County
- How much Marion County households make
- Renting and owning in Marion County
- Employment and commuting in Marion County
- Counties near Marion County
- The communities that make up Marion County
- What a median Marion County budget can carry
- Marion County households compared
- Reading the Marion County data as a borrower
- Before you sign
- Checking a lender's license in Alabama
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Marion County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Marion County's population at 29,184; only 37 of Alabama's 67 county-level areas are larger. It covers 742 square miles of land, or about 39 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Hamilton is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 6,922 people (24% of the county total).
How much Marion County households make
Half of Marion County households take in less than $50,088 a year and half take in more, 22% below the Alabama median of $63,999.
| Households earning | Marion County | +/- vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.9% | +9.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.8% | +0.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.6% | -6.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.7% | -4.0 pts |
About 38% of households earn under $35,000, while 20% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 16.2%, 1 point higher than the state's 15.6%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.472 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Renting and owning in Marion County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $630 in Marion County versus $1,007 statewide. By the Census definition, 46% of Marion County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $106,600, or 2.1 years of median income. 77% of Marion County households own their home and 23% rent.
| Cost | Marion County | Alabama figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $630/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $106,600 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 22.2% | 12.3% | n/a |
Because most Marion County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Employment and commuting in Marion County
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Marion County residents work in education and health care and 19% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 19% locally and 14% for Alabama. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.0% in Marion County. About 86% drive to work alone and 18% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.2% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Marion County share | +/- vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.3% | +3.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.6% | +4.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.4% | -1.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.6% | +1.7 pts |
| Construction | 7.3% | +0.3 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.8% | +1.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Marion County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Counties near Marion County
Franklin County is closest, 21 miles from center to center; the sixth, Monroe County, is 39 miles off. Winston County leads the group on income ($57,256), Fayette County trails ($49,488), and Marion County out-earns 2 of the six. The list crosses into Mississippi, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion County | - | $50,088 | $630/mo | 77% |
| Franklin County, AL | 21 mi | $53,338 | $676/mo | 72% |
| Lamar County, AL | 27 mi | $50,000 | $549/mo | 76% |
| Itawamba County, MS | 29 mi | $55,546 | $811/mo | 79% |
| Winston County, AL | 30 mi | $57,256 | $803/mo | 76% |
| Fayette County, AL | 30 mi | $49,488 | $667/mo | 78% |
| Monroe County, MS | 39 mi | $51,866 | $768/mo | 76% |
The communities that make up Marion County
Here are the 8 most populous of the county's 8 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 66% of Marion County residents live in one of the 8. Hamilton has the highest median household income on the list ($54,871) and Hackleburg the lowest ($42,292), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $477 in Brilliant to $760 in Bear Creek. No Marion County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | city | 6,922 | $54,871 | $599 | 5 mi |
| Winfield | city | 4,999 | $49,688 | $718 | 15 mi |
| Guin | city | 2,381 | $51,117 | $603 | 11 mi |
| Hackleburg | town | 1,709 | $42,292 | $525 | 10 mi |
| Bear Creek | town | 1,474 | $50,188 | $760 | 13 mi |
| Brilliant | town | 1,097 | $47,125 | $477 | 10 mi |
| Twin | town | 475 | $52,639 | $900 | 10 mi |
| Gu-Win | town | 178 | $63,942 | n/a | 13 mi |
What a median Marion County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Marion County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $4,174 gross per month ($50,088 / 12)
- Less median rent of $630, which is 15% of it
- $831: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,248 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Marion County households compared
Degree holders: 13% of adults over 25. 10.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Marion County | All of Alabama | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.3% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.0% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.7% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.4% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.2% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.0% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 34.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.0% |
| 60+ min | 11.0% |
Reading the Marion County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Marion County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Hospital bills in Marion County. For the 11% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Manufactured homes. 22% of Marion County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- 46% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Marion County borrowers:
- Price the Marion County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Checking a lender's license in Alabama
Consumer lenders serving Marion County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Alabama that is the Alabama State Banking Department. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Alabama: Alabama personal loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Alabama guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Marion County?
$50,088 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $63,999 for Alabama. It ranks 44th of 67 in the state.
How much is rent in Marion County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $630 a month; 46% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Marion County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 77% of Marion County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Marion County?
By population: Hamilton, Winfield, Guin, Hackleburg, Bear Creek. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Can Marion County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Alabama county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.