Festivals, folklore and small-town pride define Marion
Livermush and Bigfoot are two words synonymous with Marion. The small city, set in the foothills of Western North Carolina, is known for its quirky festivals, colorful fall foliage and waterfall-dotted hiking trails. “I love my community. It is very welcoming,” says Freddie Killough, a McDowell County native and the Executive Director of the Marion Business Association. “We have great access to outdoor recreation here. We are geographically well-positioned to get to larger cities but offer that small-town feeling that people are looking for.” A booming textile town in the 20th century, Marion fell into economic decline when the mills closed by the early 2000s. Today, after a grassroots revitalization effort, the city of around 7,700 people has a growing downtown, an established art scene and a diverse economy.
Housing spans historic bungalows to luxury homes on Lake James
With properties built between the early 1900s and today, Marion offers a wide variety of single-family homes. The hilly blocks surrounding downtown feature brick ranch-style homes, bungalows, cottages and ornate Victorian farmhouses on small lots of less than an acre. Farther out, cabins often come with seclusion, acreage and mountain views. Custom waterfront builds fill the Plantation Point subdivision along Lake James. The median price for a single-family home in Marion is around $290,000, well below the national median. Most homes range from about $100,000 to $650,000. However, some luxury properties with scenic views, pools or large parcels of land start around $795,000 and can exceed $1.8 million. Townhouses are available in town and cost between $250,000 and $325,000.
The school system serving Marion offers early college programs
McDowell County Schools earns a B-plus overall rating from Niche. The district has 15 schools, including the B-plus-rated Marion Elementary, the B-rated East McDowell Middle and the B-minus-rated McDowell High. The district has two early college programs, including the B-minus-rated McDowell Academy for Innovation, where students interested in STEM-focused degrees can earn college credits through McDowell Technical Community College. The district offers limited school choice. Families can apply to the B-rated Eastfield Global Magnet School or request an out-of-district transfer, but acceptance hinges on space and district approval.
Outdoor recreation from neighborhood parks to Mount Mitchell trails
Whether visiting a city park or exploring nearby hiking trails, Marion residents often spend time outside. Neighborhood green spaces such as Cross Mill Community Park feature playgrounds and picnic areas, while the Marion Community Building offers a splash pad and courts for tennis and basketball. There are several greenways, including the Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway, which hugs the banks of the Catawba River. Lake James is a destination for watersports with campsites, boat launches and marinas dotting 150 miles of wooded shoreline. The surrounding region is an outdoorsman’s paradise, with the expansive Pisgah National Forest attracting hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The forest is home to Mount Mitchell, which offers the tallest peak in the Appalachian Mountains, and the Linville Gorge, the so-called Grand Canyon of North Carolina.
Bar hopping, shopping and dining in downtown Marion
Historic brick storefronts line Marion’s Main Street, the revived city center where community, business and culture meet. Here, residents can peruse a variety of boutiques, grab a bite to eat at a dozen different restaurants and bar-hop in the designated social district. Restaurants range from Bruce's Fabulous Foods, a no-frills lunch spot serving American fare, to the Blanton House, an elevated restaurant for Southern cuisine. “We have little unique coffee shops like Bigfoot Books & Brews—we have a lot of Bigfoot things,” Killough says. The Historic Downtown Marion Tailgate Market offers locally grown produce and artisan goods every Saturday morning from May through October. National retailers and grocery chains fill shopping centers off U.S. Route 221.
Festivals take over Downtown Marion throughout the year. In June, the Livermush Festival celebrates Hunter's Livermush, a longtime producer of the beloved regional dish made of pork, cornmeal and spices. During the event, local food trucks vie for the title of “Livermush Master,” and residents step up to the mic for a pig calling and pig squealing contest. Tens of thousands of people visit the city in August for the Western North Carolina Bigfoot Festival (the cryptid is the official city animal) and in October for the Mountain Glory Festival, highlighting traditional mountain crafts.
A homegrown art scene in the heart of McDowell County
Marion anchors McDowell County’s creative scene. Monthly gallery shows and workshops bring artists and art lovers to the McDowell Arts Council Association on Main Street. The organization is behind popular events such as the Micropolitan Film Festival. It also provides a rehearsal space for the Foothills Community Band. The Foothills Community Theatre, in operation since 1972, produces up to five shows each season. First-run films entertain audiences at the independent Hometown Cinemas.
Commuters have access to Interstate 40
Most people drive to get around Marion. Several highways pass through the community, including Interstate 40, which heads west to Asheville , about 35 miles away, and east to Morganton , less than 25 miles away. Three airports are within 90 miles of the city: Asheville Regional Airport, Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. Medical care is available in town at Mission Hospital McDowell. McDowell Transit offers on-demand rides via McDowell Express, which serves a 7-mile radius around downtown Marion.
Hurricane Helene and Marion’s mild climate
Like much of Western North Carolina, Marion was impacted by Hurricane Helene in 2024. The storm caused landslides and flooding throughout the region. In Marion, businesses and homes near the Catawba River were flooded. Killough says nearly all businesses are back open and, overall, the weather is very appealing here. “We have four very different seasons. Fall and spring are beautiful. Summer and winter are mild.”
