With over 40,000 residents, Marion is one of the largest cities in Linn County, second only to Cedar Rapids. Well known as a manufacturing hub, the city and its economy has been steadily growing due to a revitalization spearheaded by the community. “Years ago, we had to decide what sort of city we wanted to be,” says Jeanne Matthews, a Realtor with Skogman Realty. “We don’t have a river, we don’t have a casino. We do have a fabulous historic district. Everyone got together as a community—from the public to the private sector—to decide how we wanted to grow.” This level of personal attention fostered a sense of community that Matthews says is essential to living in Marion. “Everyone steps up to the plate because they care.”
Manufacturing is a major industry in the area, with Rockwell Collins counting itself among the top employers in the city. Other job creators include the city government, Marion Independent School District and the local hospital system, including UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s Hospital and the Mercy Medical Center.
Marion is the second largest city in Linn County, behind only its neighbor Cedar Rapids.
Marion residents take pride in their city and the community it involves.
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New homes in Nottingham Hills
The median price for homes in Marion is in the high $200,000s, below the national median in the low $400,000s. Willowridge is known for its condos. Midcentury-style homes are in central sections of town, like the neighborhoods outside Starry Park and Marion High School. Bowman Hills has some of the latest 21st-century Contemporary Craftsman designs lining its streets.
Many century-old homes in the center of Marion have been updated and renovated.
Larger contemporary homes are found in the sprawling outskirts of Marion.
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High marks at Marion Independent School District
The Marion Independent School District has five public schools within the city and an overall A-minus grade from Niche. Iowa’s open enrollment options are a point of pride within the district. “Roughly 41% of our total attendance is open enrollment, which indicates that nearly half of our students have sought out our district specifically,” says Dr. Janelle Brouwer, Superintendent of Marion Independent School District. “We look at the interests and needs of the student rather than trying to fit them into existing programs,” she says. The Linn-Marr and Cedar Rapids Community School Districts also serve the area. Linn-Marr receives an A-minus from Niche, while Cedar Rapids has a B.
Mount Mercy was founded in 1928 by the Sisters of Mercy. It is a private Catholic university with 1,600 students and a respected Doctorate in Nursing program. Founded in 1851, Coe College is a private liberal arts university with 1,300 students. The Coe Writing Center is the largest student-run writing center in the country, featuring undergraduate writing consultants from nearly every major on campus.
Marion High School is one of two high schools in Marion.
Linn-Mar Schools serve the northern half of Marion.
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600 acres of nature, sports and relaxation
Marion has over 600 acres of public land and facilities across 22 parks and open spaces. These communal amenities include everything from flower gardens and splash pads to baseball fields and playgrounds. The city is approving the construction of an aquatic center, expanding the outdoor swimming pool with slides, a lazy river and an obstacle course. The Trust for Public Land estimates that over half of Marion’s residents live within a 10-minute walk to a public park.
The area also includes several golf courses, including Hunters Ridge and Indian Creek. Prospect Meadows is a baseball and softball complex that hosts regional and statewide competitions and tournaments across eight full-sized baseball fields.
Thomas Park is a city park that features a splash pad, disc golf course, and an expansive playground.
Marion's parks includes miles of paved trails that meander throughout the city.
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Celebrating local heritage at the Swamp Fox Festival
The city is known for its Swamp Fox Festival, a celebration of history named for Revolutionary War hero Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion. The annual weekend event includes live entertainment, a car show and a 5K race. Dozens of artisans and other exhibitors gather in May for the Marion Arts Festival. The one-day event includes live music, food vendors, a large variety of original works of art and a 5K race.
Local cultural institutions include the Granger House Victorian Museum and the Marion Heritage Center, which are open year-round.
Curated shopping uptown
Marion’s historic uptown commercial district is known for pedestrian-friendly walkability on sidewalks surrounded by 19th-century brownstones now converted to storefronts. The area offers a handpicked shopping experience, with storefronts approved by local government based on their appropriateness for a family friendly environment. “We’ve curated the businesses that come into the historic district--there’s a finite amount of space,” says Matthews. “We’ve got home décor, ladies’ boutiques and many cutting-edge businesses.” The largest cluster of franchise shopping and big box stores is just outside of the Marion limits on the way to Noelridge Park.
Uptown Marion is known for historic architecture and recent and future improvements.
Hip-stir is one of several Marion spots that locals love to frequent.
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Zero-elevation streets
Route 151 cuts through the city, creating a straight line to Cedar Rapids, some 7 miles southwest. Eastern Iowa Airport serves over a million travelers a year, with direct routes to cities like Chicago, Denver and Atlanta. After a request from the public, the city developed zero-elevation streets for the uptown. These completely flat roads make strollers and wheelchairs more user-friendly and less tiring.
Important to know
According to FBI stats, Marion’s violent and property-based crime rates are less than half of the state and national rates and dropped between 2022 and 2023.
The area has cold winters and warm, humid summers. Its highest average temperatures are in July, with the lowest in January.
Written By
Phil Keeling
Photography Contributed By
Drew Davis
Video By
Anne Sheridan
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rob McCain,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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