1st Advantage MortgageIn Marion County, Tennessee, the typical household earns $61,824 a year and the typical rent is $853. 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
- Marion County at a glance
- Income in Marion County compared with Tennessee
- Renting and owning in Marion County
- Employment and commuting in Marion County
- Places inside Marion County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- What a median Marion County budget can carry
- Marion County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Marion County
- Tennessee rules that apply in Marion County
- A Marion County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Marion County
- Frequently asked questions
Marion County at a glance
With an estimated 29,250 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Marion County ranks 51st of 95 in Tennessee for population. It covers 502 square miles of land, or about 58 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metropolitan area. Of the 10 Census places inside Marion County, Jasper leads by population with about 3,612; 7 of the 10 are incorporated.
Income in Marion County compared with Tennessee
At $61,824, the typical Marion County household income is 6% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Income band | Share in Marion County | Difference from Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.7% | +5.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.3% | +0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.3% | -2.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -4.3 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 27% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 16.3%, 3 points higher than the state's 13.8%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.444 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Marion County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Renting and owning in Marion County
Renters in Marion County pay a median of $853 a month, 28% below the Tennessee figure of $1,189. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 41% of renter households here. Home values center on $195,200, or 3.2 years of median income. The ownership rate is 79%. Half the housing stock was built before 1985.
| Home costs | Marion County | Tennessee | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $853/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $195,200 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 10% | 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.
Employment and commuting in Marion County
The biggest employer of Marion County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 19% of workers, followed by manufacturing (19%). Manufacturing stands out: 19% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 7.1% in Marion County. 31% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 13% work from home. 4.2% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Marion County share | +/- vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.8% | -3.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.7% | +6.1 pts |
| Construction | 10.1% | +3.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.8% | -1.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | -0.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.9% | +1.8 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.
Places inside Marion County
Here are the 10 most populous of the county's 10 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 47% of Marion County residents live in one of the 10. New Hope has the highest median household income on the list ($77,727) and South Pittsburg the lowest ($57,865), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $643 in South Pittsburg to $1,090 in Powells Crossroads. None of the 10 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper | town | 3,612 | $73,013 | $787 | 4 mi |
| South Pittsburg | city | 3,013 | $57,865 | $643 | 10 mi |
| Whitwell | city | 2,052 | $67,774 | $872 | 7 mi |
| Kimball | town | 1,639 | $60,543 | $754 | 7 mi |
| Powells Crossroads | town | 1,498 | $67,549 | $1,090 | 8 mi |
| New Hope | city | 862 | $77,727 | $775 | 10 mi |
| Griffith Creek | CDP | 586 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Sequatchie | CDP | 359 | $27,679 | n/a | 1 mi |
| Orme | town | 76 | $47,500 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Whiteside | CDP | 33 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (19 to 31 miles). Hamilton County leads the group on income ($76,183), Grundy County trails ($47,593), and Marion County out-earns 2 of the six. Some neighbors are in Georgia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Marion County resident follows Tennessee rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion County | - | $61,824 | $853/mo | 79% |
| Grundy County, TN | 19 mi | $47,593 | $636/mo | 84% |
| Dade County, GA | 20 mi | $64,568 | $829/mo | 80% |
| Sequatchie County, TN | 20 mi | $58,750 | $818/mo | 78% |
| Hamilton County, TN | 23 mi | $76,183 | $1,253/mo | 64% |
| Franklin County, TN | 28 mi | $63,494 | $894/mo | 77% |
| Catoosa County, GA | 31 mi | $74,639 | $993/mo | 74% |
What a median Marion County budget can carry
Here is the Marion County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $5,152 a month: gross income for a household at the Marion County median
- 17% goes to median rent ($853)
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,362 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Marion County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. About 8% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Marion County | All of Tennessee | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.8 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.1% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.8% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.3% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.2% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.1% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.3% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.1% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Marion County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 17.2% |
| 60+ min | 13.8% |
Before borrowing in Marion County
A few patterns in the Marion County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Long drives. With 31% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Marion County budgets.
- 19% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Tennessee rules that apply in Marion County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Marion County borrowers answers to the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Tennessee guide.
A Marion County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Marion County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Marion County-area credit union.
- Verify the Tennessee 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 Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Marion County earn?
The median is $61,824; 27% earn $100,000 or more and 30% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Marion County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $853 a month; 41% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Marion County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 79% 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: Jasper, South Pittsburg, Whitwell, Kimball, Powells Crossroads. The county has 10 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Marion County or elsewhere in Tennessee, the same rules apply.