Education, Employment and Housing
Marion County, OH, has 9 public high schools and several elementary/middle schools, with a high school graduation rate of around 92%. About 16% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The average public school rating is 5/10 on GreatSchools. School safety measures include controlled entry and resource officers. Marion Technical College and The Ohio State University at Marion offer adult education and vocational programs. Programs in STEM, arts, and technical fields are available to students. The county invests in literacy and workforce readiness initiatives, supporting lifelong learning across multiple age groups.
As of 2023, Marion County, OH has an employment rate of approximately 57.6%. Major employment sectors include manufacturing (19%), health care and social assistance (18%), retail trade (12%), and education services (8%). The leading occupation types are production (13%), office and administrative support (11%), and sales (9%). The average commute time is 21.5 minutes, with 84% of residents driving alone to work; primary employment destinations include Marion city (over 60%) and neighboring Delaware and Columbus areas.
Marion County, OH, has a homeownership rate of about 66%, with median home values around $130,000 in 2024. The median rent is approximately $830 per month. Housing consists mostly of single-family homes, with some apartments and duplexes, spanning neighborhoods like Marion city, Pleasant, and Prospect. The real estate market has seen modest appreciation, with property values rising about 4% annually. Property taxes average 1.27% of assessed value, translating to roughly $1,650 per year for a median-priced home, making Marion County relatively affordable for both buyers and renters.
County Crime & Safety
Marion County, OH, has experienced a crime rate higher than the national average. According to recent statistics, the overall crime rate is about 35.2 crimes per 1,000 residents annually. Property crimes, such as burglary and theft, account for around 85% of reported cases, with a property crime rate of 30.4 per 1,000 people. Violent crimes, including assault and robbery, occur at a rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents. Law enforcement encourages residents to report suspicious activities promptly to maintain public safety and support ongoing crime reduction efforts.
Demographics
As of 2022, Marion County, OH has a population of approximately 65,000. The median age is about 41 years. The gender split is nearly even: 49% male and 51% female. Racially, the county is predominantly White (86%), with African Americans making up about 8%, Hispanic or Latino residents around 2.8%, and other races or ethnicities comprising the remainder.
Elections
As of 2024, Marion County, Ohio has around 40,000 registered voters. The county participates in federal, state, and local elections, including primaries, general, and special elections. Key parties are Republican and Democratic, with Republicans carrying most recent races (e.g., 68% of votes in 2020 presidential election). Polling takes place at 47 locations, with early and absentee options available. The Marion County Board of Elections, comprising 4 members (2 per major party), oversees voting. Recent ballot issues included school levies and tax renewals, with up to 58% voter turnout in high-profile elections.
Popular names
- Robert Johnson
- James Smith
- Linda Smith
- Robert Smith
- David Smith
- Julie Smith
- Linda White
- Michael Price
- Michael Smith
- Robert Moore
- Brian Johnson
- James Brown
- James Wilson
- John Barry
- Melissa Smith
- Michael Davis
- Robert Wilson
- William Smith
- Kyle Purvis
- Mary Davis
- Michael Williams
- Michael Wilson
- Robert Brown
- Robert Oliver
- Timothy Brown
- Timothy Smith
- William Jones
- Barbara Smith
- Charles Davis
- Clifford Hall
- Daniel Smith
- James Barry
- James Johnson
- James White
- James Young
- Jennifer Price
- Jerry Miller
- John Brown
- John Smith
- John White
- Richard Jackson
- Robert Williams
- Tracy Smith
- Tyler Jones
- Andrew Miller
- Brian Smith
- Brock Matteson
- Charles Russell
- Cody Johnson
- Crystal Malone
- Danielle Davis
- David Blanton
- David Clark
- David Thompson
- David Wilson
- Heather Smith
- Jacob Smith
- James Alexander
- James Blevins
- Jason Hines
Other Counties in Ohio
- Adams
- Allen
- Ashland
- Ashtabula
- Athens
- Auglaize
- Belmont
- Brown
- Butler
- Carroll
- Champaign
- Clark
- Clermont
- Clinton
- Columbiana
- Coshocton
- Crawford
- Cuyahoga
- Darke
- Defiance
- Delaware
- Erie
- Fairfield
- Fayette
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Gallia
- Geauga
- Greene
- Guernsey
- Hamilton
- Hancock
- Hardin
- Harrison
- Henry
- Highland
- Hocking
- Holmes
- Huron
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Knox
- Lake
- Lawrence
- Licking
- Logan
- Lorain
- Lucas
- Madison
- Mahoning