Town of Marion, Virginia | |
|---|---|
 The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia. | |
 Seal | |
| Motto: America's Coolest Hometown | |
  Marion Marion (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:36°50′N81°31′W / 36.833°N 81.517°W /36.833; -81.517 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Smyth |
| Area | |
• Town | 4.15 sq mi (10.76 km2) |
| • Land | 4.13 sq mi (10.69 km2) |
| • Water | 0.031 sq mi (0.08 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,500 ft (760 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Town | 6,026 |
| • Density | 1,393.4/sq mi (537.98/km2) |
| • Metro | Approximately 14,500total population |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 24354 |
| Area code | 276 |
| FIPS code | 51-49464[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1498513[3] |
| Website | www |
Marion is a town in and thecounty seat ofSmyth County,Virginia, United States. It is positioned uponInterstate 81, in theBlue Ridge portion of the southernAppalachian Mountains inSouthwest Virginia.[4] The town is named forAmerican Revolutionary War officerFrancis Marion. Within the town limits it had a population of approximately 6,000, per2020 Census counts. However, together with the neighborhoods, an additional 9,000 residents residing in unincorporated Smyth County have Marion mailing addresses, granting the Marion ZIP code (24354) a total population of about 14,500, which is approximately half of the county's total population.
Marion is the location of two large side-by-side ground storage water tower tanks, which are separately labeled "HOT" (in red letters) and "COLD" (in blue). The landmarks, positioned just off of Marion exit 47, are visible to both north and south bound Interstate 81 traffic lanes.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 5.2 square miles (10.7 km2), all land.
Marion is home toHungry Mother State Park, one of the six originalVirginia State Parks from the 1930s.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 445 | — | |
| 1870 | 368 | −17.3% | |
| 1880 | 919 | 149.7% | |
| 1890 | 1,651 | 79.7% | |
| 1900 | 2,045 | 23.9% | |
| 1910 | 2,727 | 33.3% | |
| 1920 | 3,253 | 19.3% | |
| 1930 | 4,156 | 27.8% | |
| 1940 | 5,177 | 24.6% | |
| 1950 | 6,982 | 34.9% | |
| 1960 | 8,385 | 20.1% | |
| 1970 | 8,158 | −2.7% | |
| 1980 | 7,287 | −10.7% | |
| 1990 | 6,858 | −5.9% | |
| 2000 | 6,503 | −5.2% | |
| 2010 | 6,294 | −3.2% | |
| 2020 | 6,022 | −4.3% | |
| source:[5][6] | |||
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White | 5,213 | 87.17% |
| Black or African American | 261 | 4.54% |
| Native American | 12 | 0.21% |
| Asian | 59 | 1.03% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.02% |
| Other/Mixed | 224 | 3.89% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 181 | 3.15% |
As of the2020 United States Census, there were 6,022 people, 2,573 households, and 1,394 families residing within the town limits.
As of thecensus[2] of 2000, there were 6,503 people, 2,677 households, and 1,648 families residing in the town. Thepopulation density was 1,528.3 people per square mile (590.7/km2). There were 2,865 housing units at an average density of 689.6 per square mile (266.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 91.98%White, 5.94%African American, 0.24%Native American, 0.52%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.38% fromother races, and 0.93% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.13% of the population.
There were 2,677 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% weremarried couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.4% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.
The current (2020) median income for a household in the town is $54,652.
Marion College, a two-year Lutheranwomen's college, operated from 1873 to 1967. Marion Hall, constructed in 1968 and named in honor of Francis Marion, is a residence hall atRoanoke College.
Marion is also home to Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute, continuously operational since May 1887.
In December 1864, during the Civil War, it was the site of theBattle of Marion.
Marion is the birthplace of the soft drinkMountain Dew.[9] Although Mountain Dew was first marketed under that name in Knoxville, TN, the original soft drink's formula changed drastically from Knoxville's formula to the syrup mixture that constitutes today's drink, which is Marion's version. In 1961, the rights to Mountain Dew were purchased by the Marion-based Tip Corporation. The Mountain Dew flavor was reworked by Marion resident William H. "Bill" Jones. Due to the success of the revised formulation, the Pepsi Corporation purchased the Tip Corporation in 1964.[10][11] Marion also hosted the Mountain Dew Festival for more than 50 years.[12]
TheEmory and Henry College School of Health Sciences was established in 2014.
Back of the Dragon, a segment of SR16 popular among motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts for its sharp turns and scenic overlooks, begins in Marion, Virginia.
Marion'sPark Place Drive-In Theatre, originally constructed in 1954, was named the eighth best drive-in in the United States byUSA Today in May 2024.[13]
R. T. Greer and Company,Henderson Building,Hotel Lincoln,Hungry Mother State Park Historic District,Lincoln Theatre,Marion Historic District,Marion Male Academy,Norfolk & Western Railway Depot,Preston House, and theAbijah Thomas House are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[14]
In late September 2024, the town suffered from flooding and destruction from the impacts ofHurricane Helene.
The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. According to theKöppen Climate Classification system, Marion has ahumid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfb" on climate maps. Marion's normal temperature numbers are typically at or near 45/25 F in January (coldest month), and 85/65 F in July (warmest month).[17]
Municipalities and communities ofSmyth County, Virginia,United States | ||
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| Towns |  | |
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| Other communities | ||
| Geographic | |
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| Other | |
