1st Advantage MortgageMarion County households have a median income of $45,110 and median rent of $818 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Mississippi before sharing details.
On this page
- Marion County by the numbers
- Renting and owning in Marion County
- Paychecks and income spread in Marion County
- Jobs and commutes in Marion County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Places inside Marion County
- Room for a loan payment in Marion County
- People and households in Marion County
- Local borrowing considerations for Marion County
- Mississippi rules that apply in Marion County
- Checklist for Marion County applicants
- More guides for Marion County
- Frequently asked questions
Marion County by the numbers
Roughly 24,193 residents live in Marion County, Mississippi, 39th by population among the state's 82 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 542 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 45 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Marion County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (1 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Columbia, with about 6,632 residents, or 27% of the county.
Renting and owning in Marion County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $818 in Marion County versus $954 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 40% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $122,800, about 2.7 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 77%. Median construction year: 1980.
| Marion County | Mississippi | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $818/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $122,800 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 37% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 23.2% | 14.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 18% | 15% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Paychecks and income spread in Marion County
Half of Marion County households take in less than $45,110 a year and half take in more, 20% below the Mississippi median of $56,447.
| Households earning | Marion County | +/- vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.1% | +4.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.7% | +2.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.0% | -4.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.2% | -2.6 pts |
About 37% of households earn under $35,000, while 19% clear $100,000. Census counts 19.7% of Marion County residents in poverty, against 18.9% across Mississippi. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.456 here. For a borrower in Marion County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Jobs and commutes in Marion County
The biggest employer of Marion County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by construction (13%). The sharpest difference from the state is in construction, at 13% locally and 7% for Mississippi. Averaged over the five survey years, 7.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 26% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 5.5% of the total (6.3% statewide).
| Top industries | Marion County share | +/- vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.1% | -1.3 pts |
| Construction | 13.1% | +6.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | -0.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.2% | +1.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.0% | -4.9 pts |
| Other services | 7.5% | +2.8 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.
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Marion County's, from 17 to 32 miles away. Income ranges from $38,548 in Jefferson Davis County to $70,909 in Lamar County; 3 of these neighbors top Marion County's median. Some neighbors are in Louisiana. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Marion County resident follows Mississippi rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion County | - | $45,110 | $818/mo | 77% |
| Walthall County, MS | 17 mi | $48,905 | $790/mo | 80% |
| Lamar County, MS | 19 mi | $70,909 | $1,126/mo | 70% |
| Jefferson Davis County, MS | 23 mi | $38,548 | $757/mo | 84% |
| Lawrence County, MS | 28 mi | $43,531 | $753/mo | 84% |
| Washington Parish, LA | 29 mi | $45,380 | $774/mo | 69% |
| Covington County, MS | 32 mi | $45,051 | $662/mo | 78% |
Places inside Marion County
Here are the 3 most populous of the county's 3 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 29% of Marion County residents live in one of the 3. None of the 3 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | city | 6,632 | $38,507 | $806 | 2 mi |
| Foxworth | CDP | 326 | $33,833 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Kokomo | CDP | 172 | $96,324 | n/a | 11 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Marion County
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.
- $45,110 a year is $3,759 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $818 uses 22%
- At 36%, room after rent is $535 a month
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $798 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
People and households in Marion County
Degree holders: 14% of adults over 25. 13.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Marion County | Mississippi | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.8 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.7% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.8% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.5% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.2% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.7% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.5% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.4% |
| 60+ min | 15.4% |
Local borrowing considerations for Marion County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Marion County borrowers.
- Medical bills. 14% of Marion County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Keeping the car running. At 26% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Marion County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 23% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 20% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
Mississippi rules that apply in Marion County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Marion County resident can confirm its license with the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Mississippi guide.
Checklist for Marion County applicants
A short checklist for Marion County borrowers:
- Price the Marion County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Marion County-area credit union.
- Verify the Mississippi license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for Marion County
For statewide rules and data, see the Mississippi guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marion County a high-income county?
Its $45,110 median ranks 54th of 82 Mississippi counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Marion County rent compare with Mississippi?
$818 locally versus $954 for the state, 14% below.
Which towns does the Marion County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 3 Census places: Columbia, Foxworth, Kokomo.
Are Marion County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in Marion County check a lender's license?
With the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.