Marion, Iowa

The town was named after Francis Marion, a hero of the Revolutionary War. The site was selected in 1839 to be the first county seat of the newly organized Linn County. After years of debate over moving the county seat to Cedar Rapids, it was put to a vote in 1919. The vote was 9,960 in favor of moving the seat and 4,823 not in favor.

Each year, the city hosts the annual "Swamp Fox Festival", a celebration of Marion's heritage named in honor of the "Swamp Fox", Francis Marion's nickname during the Revolutionary War. The event typically includes a 5K run, parade, fireworks, and many other family friendly activities. The current site of the Indian Creek Country Club was once the home of a sulky horse racing track.

The town was the home to St. Berchman's Seminary, established in 1905 by the Sisters of Mercy as a boarding school for small boys. The academy, which closed in 1942, consisted of five buildings spread over 23 acres. One of the most famous residents was actor Don Ameche, who lived in the facility as a boy; he went on to star in the movie Cocoon. Today, the main building, now housing apartments, is all that remains.

In 2023, Mayor Nicholas AbouAssaly was re-elected for another term, being unopposed. AbouAssaly is, as of 2025, serving his third term, after winning the 2019 and 2015 elections in a landslide.{{cite web|title= A Weekly Update from City Manager Ryan Waller|url=https://www.cityofmarion.org/Home/Components/News/News/7699/17|publisher=City of Marion|date=November 9, 2023}}

Marion is located at {{coord|42|2|16|N|91|35|35|W|type:city}} (42.037649, −91.592925).{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|16.06|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|16.05|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-05-11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-01-25}}

{{Weather box

| location = Marion, Iowa (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1892–present)

| single line = Y

| Jan record high F = 68

| Feb record high F = 76

| Mar record high F = 88

| Apr record high F = 94

| May record high F = 104

| Jun record high F = 103

| Jul record high F = 110

| Aug record high F = 108

| Sep record high F = 105

| Oct record high F = 94

| Nov record high F = 80

| Dec record high F = 69

| year record high F = 110

| Jan high F = 30.0

| Feb high F = 35.1

| Mar high F = 48.9

| Apr high F = 63.3

| May high F = 73.8

| Jun high F = 82.3

| Jul high F = 85.5

| Aug high F = 83.4

| Sep high F = 77.3

| Oct high F = 64.1

| Nov high F = 48.1

| Dec high F = 34.7

| year high F = 60.5

| Jan mean F = 21.3

| Feb mean F = 25.9

| Mar mean F = 38.2

| Apr mean F = 50.9

| May mean F = 61.7

| Jun mean F = 71.0

| Jul mean F = 74.4

| Aug mean F = 72.3

| Sep mean F = 65.2

| Oct mean F = 52.8

| Nov mean F = 38.7

| Dec mean F = 26.7

| year mean F = 49.9

| Jan low F = 12.5

| Feb low F = 16.6

| Mar low F = 27.5

| Apr low F = 38.4

| May low F = 49.6

| Jun low F = 59.6

| Jul low F = 63.3

| Aug low F = 61.2

| Sep low F = 53.0

| Oct low F = 41.5

| Nov low F = 29.3

| Dec low F = 18.6

| year low F = 39.3

| Jan record low F = −33

| Feb record low F = −28

| Mar record low F = −17

| Apr record low F = 3

| May record low F = 24

| Jun record low F = 36

| Jul record low F = 42

| Aug record low F = 37

| Sep record low F = 22

| Oct record low F = -2

| Nov record low F = −10

| Dec record low F = −28

| year record low F = −33

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 1.17

| Feb precipitation inch = 1.34

| Mar precipitation inch = 2.06

| Apr precipitation inch = 4.02

| May precipitation inch = 4.74

| Jun precipitation inch = 5.68

| Jul precipitation inch = 4.47

| Aug precipitation inch = 4.42

| Sep precipitation inch = 3.96

| Oct precipitation inch = 3.00

| Nov precipitation inch = 2.22

| Dec precipitation inch = 1.67

| year precipitation inch = 38.75

| Jan snow inch = 8.7

| Feb snow inch = 8.3

| Mar snow inch = 4.0

| Apr snow inch = 1.5

| May snow inch = 0.0

| Jun snow inch = 0.0

| Jul snow inch = 0.0

| Aug snow inch = 0.0

| Sep snow inch = 0.0

| Oct snow inch = 0.6

| Nov snow inch = 2.2

| Dec snow inch = 9.0

| year snow inch = 34.3

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 8.9

| Feb precipitation days = 7.6

| Mar precipitation days = 9.5

| Apr precipitation days = 11.3

| May precipitation days = 13.0

| Jun precipitation days = 12.3

| Jul precipitation days = 9.6

| Aug precipitation days = 9.6

| Sep precipitation days = 8.8

| Oct precipitation days = 9.5

| Nov precipitation days = 8.4

| Dec precipitation days = 9.1

| year precipitation days = 117.6

| unit snow days = 0.1 in

| Jan snow days = 6.9

| Feb snow days = 5.1

| Mar snow days = 2.9

| Apr snow days = 1.1

| May snow days = 0.0

| Jun snow days = 0.0

| Jul snow days = 0.0

| Aug snow days = 0.0

| Sep snow days = 0.0

| Oct snow days = 0.4

| Nov snow days = 2.0

| Dec snow days = 6.2

| year snow days = 24.6

| source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=dvn

| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = June 25, 2021}}

{{cite web

| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00131319&format=pdf

| title = Station: Cedar Rapids #1, IA

| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = June 25, 2021}}

}}

{{expand section|date=August 2020}}

The Marion Economic Development Corporation, a public–private partnership, was founded in 1984 to support business and economic development in the city.{{cite web|url=https://www.medcoiowa.org/contact/about-medco/|title=About MEDCO|publisher=Marion Economic Development Corporation|access-date=August 18, 2020}}

{{Historical populations

|title= Historical populations

|type= USA

|align= left

|1860|1367

|1870|1822

|1880|1939

|1890|3094

|1900|4102

|1910|4400

|1920|4138

|1930|4348

|1940|4721

|1950|5916

|1960|10882

|1970|18028

|1980|19474

|1990|20403

|2000|26294

|2010|34768

|2020|41535

|source={{center|U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}}}|footnote=Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|title=U.S. Census website|access-date=2020-03-29}} and [http://data.iowadatacenter.org/datatables/PlacesAll/plpopulation18502000.pdf Iowa Data Center]

}}

As of the census of 2020,{{cite web |title=2020 Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/2020/2020-census-main.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} there were 41,535 people, 16,885 households, and 10,994 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,333.0 inhabitants per square mile (900.8/km²). There were 17,810 housing units at an average density of 1,000.4 per square mile (386.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.2% White, 3.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races and 5.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 3.1% of the population.

Of the 16,885 households, 32.5% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 6.8% were cohabitating couples, 26.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 16.6% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 34.9% of all households were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 38.6 years. 27.6% of the residents were under the age of 20; 4.9% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 26.4% were from 25 and 44; 24.2% were from 45 and 64; and 16.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-05-11}} of 2010, there were 34,768 people, 14,108 households, and 9,308 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|2166.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 15,064 housing units at an average density of {{convert|938.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94% White, 2.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 14,108 households, of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.0% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the city was 36.1 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.3% were from 25 to 44; 24.2% were from 45 to 64; and 13.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 26,294 people, 10,458 households, and 7,174 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,192.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 10,968 housing units at an average density of {{convert|914.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.01% White, 0.60% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population.

There were 10,458 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.

Age spread:26.4% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,591, and the median income for a family was $59,110. Males had a median income of $40,766 versus $26,241 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,158. About 3.9% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

The Granger House Museum is a restored middle-class family home, representing the structural design of the American Victorian age. The house, built in the 1840s, showcases an extensive collection that includes many original furnishings. The brick carriage house, built in 1879 next to the Granger home, is an untouched treasure and the only one of its design in the Midwest. The Granger house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and embodies the lifestyle of a middle-class family living in the late 19th century. The museum has guided tours, demonstrations, and seasonal activities bringing the town's history to life.{{cite web|url= http://www.marion-historical-society.org/index.html|title= Marion Historical Society|publisher=Designs of the 5 Domains|access-date=January 24, 2011}}

The Marion Heritage Center is a church building used originally by the Methodists from the 1850s until 1875. Currently it serves as a community center for educational programs. The history of Marion and its citizens are on display, including art exhibits. Lectures, workshops and other cultural events are scheduled to provide insights into the town's past. In 2008 the center became the permanent home for the fresco mural Communication by Mail painting, by the artist Dan Rhodes in 1939. The building is open all year.

The Marion Arts Festival is a one-day event showcasing 50 artists from across the country. Continuous live music and specialty food vendors are also featured. There is a 5K run with prizes awarded to the top four winners and for the top three placers in 15 different age categories, thanks to race sponsors. In a less competitive event there is the 5K fun walk. The race uses "chip time technology" allowing every participant to know their exact time to complete the race.{{cite web|url= http://www.marionartsfestival.com/|title= Marion Arts Festival|publisher= Marion Iowa Website Design|access-date=January 24, 2011}}

The Swamp Fox Festival and Parade is a celebration of the past and the present, the annual Swamp Fox Festival honors Marion's namesake and Revolutionary War hero, Francis Marion, aka the Swamp Fox. Some of the many scheduled events include a golf outing, picnic in the park, live music, craft show, 5K run and fun walk, a pancake breakfast and a community parade.{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofmarion.org/#/park-and-recreation-community-celebrations|title=Swamp Fox Festival and Parade|publisher=City of Marion|access-date=January 24, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204121101/https://www.cityofmarion.org/#/park-and-recreation-community-celebrations|archive-date=February 4, 2011}}

The Uptown Marion Market features fresh produce, baked goods, honey, flowers, plants, meat, wines, and an array of artisan items. In addition, food vendors onsite offer a variety of take-and-eat items. The market also features live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, children's entertainment, and healthy living programming for all ages.{{cite web|url=http://www.marioncc.org/Culture/Events_and_Programs.aspx|title=Marion Chamber of Commerce|publisher=Chamber Management Solutions|access-date=January 24, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727065123/http://www.marioncc.org/Culture/Events_and_Programs.aspx|archive-date=July 27, 2011}}

Hunters Ridge Golf Course and Country Club is a public golf course featuring bentgrass from tee to green, four sets of tees, 50 bunkers, and 10 water hazards. Hunters Ridge is spread over 400 acres. The front nine winds through a development while holes 10–18 are narrow with many ponds and wetlands entering the field of play.

Indian Creek Golf and Country Club is a 9-hole private course and Country Club facility in Marion, Iowa opened in 1926 features 2,680 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 34 . The course rating is 35.2 and it has a slope rating of 114 on Rye grass.

Gardner Golf Course is a public course constructed in 1968 and designed by Herman Thompson. Greens are Bent Grass and Fairways are Bluegrass.[http://www.golf.com/golf/courses_travel/coursefinder/course/0,28290,1337400,00.html GOLF Magazine's Top 100 Courses in the U.S.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722090711/http://www.golf.com/golf/courses_travel/coursefinder/course/0%2C28290%2C1337400%2C00.html |date=2011-07-22 }}. GOLF.com. Retrieved on 2013-09-05. The course is owned and maintained by Linn County.

;Public education facilities

Marion is served by three public school districts: Marion Independent School District, Linn-Mar Community School District, and Cedar Rapids Community School District.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st19_ia/schooldistrict_maps/c19113_linn/DC20SD_C19113.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Linn County, IA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2022-02-03}}

Marion ISD encompasses much of the south and east sides of Marion.

Linn-Mar, which operates Linn-Mar High School, includes land primarily on Marion's north, west, and far east sides and areas of Cedar Rapids. Linn-Mar is one of the fastest growing school systems in the state of Iowa.

;Private education facilities

St. Joseph School (of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque)) is a prekindergarten through 8th Grade school founded in 1947. It is a Co-ed school with approximately {{As of|2011|January|alt=184}} students enrolled.[http://www.privateschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/10791 St Joseph Catholic School Profile | Marion, Iowa (IA)]. Privateschoolreview.com (2013-08-16). Retrieved on 2013-09-05.

Grace Baptist School is a K-12 co-ed school with {{As of|2011|January|alt=52}} students enrolled.[http://www.privateschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/10650 Grace Baptist Academy Profile | Marion, Iowa (IA)]. Privateschoolreview.com (2013-08-16). Retrieved on 2013-09-05.

Being part of the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area Marion citizens have access to all of the advanced education opportunities that are available in the area. See the Cedar Rapids Education section for more details.

The Gazette is the primary daily newspaper for the Cedar Rapids / Marion metro area.

The Marion Times was a weekly newspaper primarily covering Marion Community and school news.{{cite web|url=http://www.mariontoday.org/|title=MarionToday.org|publisher=Marion Times|access-date=January 25, 2011}} It folded in 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/community/iowa-weekly-newspaper-marion-times-shutting-down-thursday-gazette-of-cedar-rapids-local-paper-journalism-bob-woodward-dcommunications/524-cafccb38-1ab2-4332-a256-9360732c6132|title=Marion Times weekly newspaper delivers its final issue|date=July 30, 2021|website=Weareiowa.com|access-date=January 2, 2025}}

U.S. 151 and Iowa Highway 13 run north-south through Marion. Seventh Avenue is the major arterial road heading toward Cedar Rapids.

Until 1971, the Milwaukee Road operated several streamliner passenger trains from major cities in the west to Chicago in the east, making their Cedar Rapids regional stop at Marion station.{{Cite web|url=http://ctr.trains.com/~/media/import/files/pdf/f/7/7/passenger_trains_operating_on_the_eve_of_amtrak.pdf|title=Wayback Machine|website=Ctr.trains.com|access-date=January 2, 2025}}'Official Guide of the Railways,' June 1961, Milwaukee Road section

Bus Route 20 of Cedar Rapids Transit serves Marion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cedar-rapids.org/residents/city_buses/routes.php|title=Bus Routes|website=Cedar-rapids.org|access-date=January 2, 2025}}

Marion also has a small public airport on the east side of the city limits just south of U.S. 151.

== Notable people ==

• Carey Bender (born 1972), NFL running back{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/players/careybender/profile?id=BEN005190 |title=Carey Bender|publisher= National Football League|access-date=February 18, 2011}}
• Ray Cheetany (born 1977), All American football player at UNLV and founder of RawTeams.com – The Sports Social Network
• Cherry Sisters, siblings who formed vaudeville touring act in late 19th century
• Swati Dandekar, Iowa State Senator District 18
• W. Franklin Dove, educator
• George Greene, Justice of Iowa Supreme Court
• John L. Grindell, Wisconsin State Assemblyman
• Richard Haines (1906–1984), painter and muralist
• Bryce Janey, blues rock musician{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadjam.com/Bryce%20Janey|title=Bryce Janey Artist Profile|website=Broadjam.com|access-date=October 18, 2022}}
• Ben F. Jensen (1892–1970), U.S. Representative for former Iowa's 7th congressional district{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=J000100|title=JENSEN, Benton Franklin|publisher= Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=February 18, 2011}}
• Christian Joy, fashion designer
• Frank Lanning, actor
• Ron Livingston, actor in shows such as Office Space, Sex and the City, Defying Gravity and Band of Brothers
• Thomas J. McKean, general in Union Army during Civil War
• Lee Moorhouse, photographer
• Sarah Lacina, police officer, and winner of Survivor: Game Changers
• Bob Nielson, football head coach, University of South Dakota
• Marcus Paige (born 1993), basketball player at University of North Carolina
• Christopher Reed, former Republican candidate for U.S. Senate
• Hartzell Spence, writer
• Kiah Stokes (born 1993), basketball player for University of Connecticut and WNBA's New York Liberty
• Dale O. Thomas, wrestling coach at Oregon State and member of National Wrestling Hall of Fame
• Elizabeth Wilson, member of the Iowa House of Representatives
• Marshal Yanda, former eight-time Pro Bowl NFL offensive lineman, has resided in Marion with his family in the off-season

{{Portal|Iowa}}

• Marion Economic Development Company

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• [http://www.cityofmarion.org/ Official Site of Marion, Iowa]
• [http://www.city-data.com/city/Marion-Iowa.html City Data] Statistical Data and more about Marion, Iowa
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070419204323/http://www.community.marion.ia.us/history/index.html History of Marion, Iowa]
• [http://www.medcoiowa.org/ Marion Economic Development Company]
• [http://www.marioncc.org/ Marion Chamber of Commerce]
• [http://www.sjcsmarion.org/ St. Joseph School]
• [http://www.gbcmarion.com/ Grace Baptist School]
• [https://books.google.com/books?id=RoEUAAAAYAAJ&q=Linn+County+Iowa The History of Linn county, Iowa] not authored Western Historical Company (1878 copyright expired) This searchable and pdf downloadable book was scanned into the public domain by Google books.
• [https://books.google.com/books?id=SYEUAAAAYAAJ&q=Linn+County+Iowa History of Linn County Iowa] by Luther A. Brewer and Barthinius L. Wick The Pioneer Publishing Company (1911 copyright expired) This searchable and pdf downloadable book was scanned into the public domain by Google books.

{{Linn County, Iowa}}

{{Iowa}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Iowa

Category:Cities in Linn County, Iowa

Category:Cedar Rapids, Iowa metropolitan area

Category:Populated places established in 1839

Category:1839 establishments in Iowa Territory