1st Advantage MortgageThe median Marion County household earns $51,667, and 21% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Georgia before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Marion County
- How Marion County residents earn a living
- Household income in Marion County
- Housing costs in Marion County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Marion County
- How Marion County compares with nearby counties
- Who lives in Marion County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Marion County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Marion County's medians
- Licensing and complaints for Marion County
- Four steps for Marion County borrowers
- More guides for Marion County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Marion County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Marion County's population at 7,509; only 141 of Georgia's 159 county-level areas are larger. It covers 366 square miles of land, or about 21 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Columbus, GA-AL metropolitan area. Of the 2 Census places inside Marion County, Buena Vista leads by population with about 1,717; 1 of the 2 are incorporated. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Marion County figure on this page as a rough guide.
How Marion County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 19% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 18%. Retail trade stands out: 18% of workers here, versus 11% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 81% drive to work alone and 36% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 4.7% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Marion County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.3% | -1.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 18.0% | +6.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.3% | +6.2 pts |
| Public administration | 8.2% | +3.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.1% | -5.4 pts |
| Construction | 6.0% | -1.0 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Household income in Marion County
At $51,667, the typical Marion County household income is 21% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Yearly household income | Marion County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.8% | +11.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.0% | +1.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | -4.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.7% | -8.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 25% of Marion County households make $100,000 or more, and 34% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 20.9%, 8 points higher than the state's 13.4%. None of these numbers decides a Marion County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Marion County
Renters in Marion County pay a median of $710 a month, 49% below the Georgia figure of $1,393. By the Census definition, 43% of Marion County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $154,100, or 3.0 years of median income. 79% of Marion County households own their home and 21% rent. The median year built is 1993.
| Cost | Marion County | Georgia figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $710/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $154,100 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 26% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Marion County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Marion County
Here are the 2 most populous of the county's 2 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 23% of Marion County residents live in one of the 2. Live in one of these Marion County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista | city | 1,717 | $28,878 | $592 | 3 mi |
| Tazewell | CDP | 33 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
How Marion County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Marion County's, from 14 to 24 miles away. Income ranges from $41,597 in Talbot County to $61,042 in Chattahoochee County; 3 of these neighbors top Marion County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion County | - | $51,667 | $710/mo | 79% |
| Schley County, GA | 14 mi | $56,875 | $816/mo | 80% |
| Chattahoochee County, GA | 15 mi | $61,042 | $1,348/mo | 39% |
| Taylor County, GA | 21 mi | $41,788 | $630/mo | 63% |
| Webster County, GA | 22 mi | $46,792 | $658/mo | 77% |
| Muscogee County, GA | 23 mi | $58,073 | $1,106/mo | 51% |
| Talbot County, GA | 24 mi | $41,597 | $816/mo | 80% |
Who lives in Marion County, in numbers
18% of Marion County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 17.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Marion County | Georgia | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.9 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.7% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 21.7% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 17.3% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.7% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.4% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.9% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Marion County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 24.5% |
| 60+ min | 11.3% |
What the numbers mean for Marion County borrowers
A few patterns in the Marion County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 17% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Commuter costs. 36% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Mobile home upkeep. 36% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 21% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
Debt-to-income at Marion County's medians
Marion County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $4,306 gross per month ($51,667 / 12)
- Median rent: $710, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 36% cap, $1,550 total minus rent leaves $840
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,141 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Marion County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Licensing and complaints for Marion County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Marion County resident can confirm its license with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Georgia: Georgia personal loans.
Four steps for Marion County borrowers
Quick steps for Marion County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Marion County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Georgia.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Marion County
The Georgia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Marion County earn?
The median is $51,667; 25% earn $100,000 or more and 34% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Marion County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $710 against $1,393 statewide, and 43% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Buena Vista?
Yes, along with the other 1 Census place in Marion County, such as Tazewell.
Can Marion County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Georgia county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Marion County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Georgia it is the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.