1st Advantage MortgageIn Marion County, Arkansas, the typical household earns $48,619 a year and the typical rent is $795. Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Marion County offer.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Marion County
- Household income in Marion County
- Marion County against other Arkansas counties
- Rent, home values and ownership in Marion County
- Where Marion County works
- How Marion County compares with nearby counties
- Towns and communities in Marion County
- Marion County demographics against Arkansas
- $4,052 a month: the Marion County median budget
- Local borrowing considerations for Marion County
- Checking a lender's license in Arkansas
- A Marion County borrower's checklist
- Beyond Marion County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Marion County
Roughly 17,228 residents live in Marion County, Arkansas, 42nd by population among the state's 75 counties and county equivalents. Marion County spans 597 square miles; with 17,228 people, that is 28.9 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Marion County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (5 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Bull Shoals, with about 1,678 residents, or 10% of the county.
Household income in Marion County
$48,619 is the median household income for Marion County, set against $60,773 for Arkansas.
| Yearly household income | Marion County | Gap to Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.7% | +4.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.3% | +6.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 13.6% | -7.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.4% | -3.3 pts |
About 34% of households earn under $35,000, while 17% clear $100,000. Poverty rate, Marion County: 18.0%; Arkansas: 16.0%. Marion County scores 0.439 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Marion County against other Arkansas counties
Ranked against the other 74 county-level areas in Arkansas, these are the Marion County figures furthest from the middle.
- Few Arkansas counties match Marion County on median age: 51.8 here, 38.5 for the state, ranking the highest of 75. Retirement income counts when documented; favor loans with no prepayment penalty.
- Homeownership: 81% in Marion County. Only 3 of 75 Arkansas counties are higher. An owner-heavy county means repairs are a common reason to borrow.
- On households without a vehicle, Marion County sits near the bottom of Arkansas at 2.8%, 5th lowest of 75. Car ownership is close to universal, and so are repair bills.
Rent, home values and ownership in Marion County
Renters in Marion County pay a median of $795 a month, 16% below the Arkansas figure of $947. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 42% in Marion County, 45% statewide. Median value $163,300; median income $48,619; ratio 3.4. Owners occupy 81% of homes. Median construction year: 1986.
| Housing | Marion County | Arkansas statewide | Marion County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $795/mo | $947/mo | 16% lower |
| Median home value | $163,300 | $188,000 | 13% lower |
| Owners | 81% | 66% | +14.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 45% | -3.2 pts |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 22% | +9.4 pts |
| Mobile homes | 17.0% | 11.0% | +6.0 pts |
Marion County owners: get one secured and one unsecured quote, then compare the total cost and what you would put up as collateral (side by side).
Where Marion County works
Manufacturing employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 21%. Relative to Arkansas (13%), manufacturing is 12 points bigger in Marion County (25%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 16%; under 15 minutes: 28%.
| Where residents work | Marion County | Difference from Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 24.5% | +11.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 21.5% | -2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | -2.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | +0.5 pts |
| Construction | 7.7% | +0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.7% | -2.2 pts |
Self-employed in Marion County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
How Marion County compares with nearby counties
Baxter County is closest, 19 miles from center to center; the sixth, Newton County, is 39 miles off. Marion County's $48,619 median trails 3 of the six and beats 3; the range runs $44,163 (Ozark County) to $56,497 (Taney County). The list crosses into Missouri, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion County | - | $48,619 | $795/mo | 81% |
| Baxter County, AR | 19 mi | $48,452 | $846/mo | 75% |
| Boone County, AR | 22 mi | $55,143 | $733/mo | 71% |
| Searcy County, AR | 26 mi | $44,426 | $606/mo | 79% |
| Ozark County, MO | 29 mi | $44,163 | $631/mo | 82% |
| Taney County, MO | 33 mi | $56,497 | $926/mo | 67% |
| Newton County, AR | 39 mi | $48,986 | $617/mo | 77% |
Towns and communities in Marion County
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 30% of Marion County residents live in one of the 6. Flippin ($43,555) and Yellville ($37,813) mark the top and bottom of Marion County's income range among larger places. Median rent ranges from $715 in Bull Shoals to $792 in Flippin. Bull Shoals and every other Marion County community use this county guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bull Shoals | city | 1,678 | $41,976 | $715 | 9 mi |
| Flippin | city | 1,334 | $43,555 | $792 | 5 mi |
| Yellville | city | 1,223 | $37,813 | $775 | 3 mi |
| Summit | city | 706 | n/a | $727 | 1 mi |
| Oakland | CDP | 146 | $43,358 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Pyatt | town | 135 | $60,714 | n/a | 9 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Marion County demographics against Arkansas
In Marion County, 15% of adults have at least a four-year degree (26% in Arkansas). Uninsured, Marion County: 6.7%; Arkansas: 9.0%.
| People and households | Marion County | Compared with Arkansas | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 51.8 | +13.3 yrs | +10.3 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.9% | -10.9 pts | -7.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 14.4% | +3.2 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 2.8% | -3.0 pts | -2.6 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.7% | -2.3 pts | -1.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 18.0% | +2.0 pts | +4.8 pts |
| Work from home | 8.2% | -0.6 pts | -0.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 0.0 pts | +0.5 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.2% |
| 60+ min | 8.6% |
$4,052 a month: the Marion County median budget
How much room does a median Marion County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $48,619 a year is $4,052 of gross monthly income
- 20% goes to median rent ($795)
- With a 40% ceiling, about $826 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Marion County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
Local borrowing considerations for Marion County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Marion County borrowers.
- 17% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Retirement budgets. In a county with a 51.8 median age, keep any loan term shorter than your plans for the money.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Checking a lender's license in Arkansas
The Arkansas State Bank Department is the place to verify any lender's Arkansas license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Arkansas guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Marion County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Marion County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Arkansas borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Beyond Marion County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Is Marion County a high-income county?
Its $48,619 median ranks 51st of 75 Arkansas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Marion County?
$795 a month at the median, about 20% of median household income.
Can Marion County owners borrow against a $163,300 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
What are the biggest places in Marion County?
By population: Bull Shoals, Flippin, Yellville, Summit, Oakland. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Can Marion County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Arkansas county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.