Marion has quiet country living close to nearby cities
Marion is a sleepy small town that's starting to wake up. The community of just over 6,000 takes pride in the historic buildings that date back to the 19th century and the community events that unite residents. "It's a growing town; it's country, rural and very quiet, but it's definitely grown a lot," says Realtor Melissa Floyd with Real Estate Direct, who has nearly a decade of experience selling in the area. According to Floyd, the growth can be attributed to the community's small-town vibe and proximity to larger cities like Florence and Myrtle Beach. "A lot of people get tired of the Winter lifestyle up north, and you can get to Myrtle Beach in about 45 minutes, but still come home and have the affordability and quiet of the countryside," she says. Marion also has traditional offerings like parks, local businesses and nearly a dozen churches, so residents still have access to amenities in town.
Marion's housing reflects a century of American architecture
Between the Middle of the 19th century and the Middle of the 20th century, Marion transformed into a town offering a portrait of American architecture. Main Street and its surrounding branches showcase Marion's oldest homes, which, along with several commercial buildings downtown, have become a Nationally-Registered Historic District. These homes sit on large, manicured lots studded with magnolia and oak trees that drip with Spanish moss. Houses range from ornate Victorian and Craftsman-style with spacious porches, to stately Colonial Revival with colorful shutters and Neoclassical with Greek columns and balconies. From there, Cape Cod and ranch-style homes surround the rest of the town. "There are mostly older homes that have been renovated here, along with resales and estate sales," Floyd says. "There's very little new construction." The median sale price here is $225,000, with homes around Main Street ranging between $300,000 and $600,000.
Career and technical education options at Marion High
Marion County School District serves just over 3,800 students and earns a C-minus rating from Niche. Pre-kindergarten through second grade may start at B-rated Easterling Primary School. Students then go on to C-minus-rated Marion Intermediate for third through fifth grade. Johnakin Middle scores a C-minus, and Marion High gets a C. High schoolers can enroll at the Academy for Careers and Technology, where pathways include engineering, auto technology and practical nursing.
Year-round recreation along trails, parks and playgrounds
The Marion Hike Bike Trail is one of the community's popular year-round recreation spots. The landscaped path stretches two miles west from the Marion Train Depot to the Catfish Creek Canal just outside town. Withlacoochee Park connects to the trail's western end, offering athletic fields, tennis courts and a playground. Less than a mile away, Amazing Grace Park is one of Marion's major gathering spots, hosting events throughout the year. The park has a large walking trail that loops around a manicured lawn with benches, swings and picnic tables. A kids' climbing structure and a fenced-in dog park are also here.
About 15 miles northeast, the Little Pee Dee State Park offers picturesque surroundings where visitors can fish, paddle, hike and camp around Lake Norton.
Local shops and restaurants anchor downtown Marion
Main Street is the community's commercial heart, with churches, restaurants, boutiques and small businesses occupying original storefronts. There are mainly locally owned eateries, like Leo's Pizza and Simply Divina, which serve various pan-Asian foods like Japanese chicken katsu and Filipino lumpia. Nearby, the historic Marion Opera House and Town Hall still host local gatherings, fundraisers, concerts and plays.
Marion has several grocery options, including Food Lion, IGA and Walmart. For more dining and retail, residents may travel to Florence, 20 miles away. "The thing about Marion is that it's not a place where people have lots of activities, so if they want to go shopping, they go to Florence," Floyd says. Florence is home to Magnolia Mall, which is surrounded by big-box stores like Target and Sam's Club.
Holiday events light up downtown Marion
Local festivals and events bring Marion residents together throughout the year. Each May, the Annual Marion FoxTrot Festival offers a Main Street parade, classic car show, food vendors, artisan crafts, a kids' area and live music. The celebration, which takes place at Amazing Grace Park, also includes a youth carnival and fireworks display. Holiday events like the Monster Mash Halloween Bash have costume contests, karaoke and pumpkin carving. During the winter holidays, there's a Christmas parade, a tree lighting ceremony and a holiday craft fair. There's also a Christmas tour of Marion's historic homes.
Highways connect Marion to Florence and Interstate 95
Marion is a car-dependent community surrounded by several major thoroughfares. U.S. Highways 501 and 76 wrap around the town, meeting Interstate 95 and Florence within a 30-mile drive. "Marion is right between Florence and Myrtle Beach, and many people actually commute to Florence for work," Floyd says, when discussing Marion's proximity to the city. Highway 76 connects residents to the nearest hospital, MUSC Health Marion Medical Center. The closest airport is Florence Regional, but another option is Myrtle Beach International, about 40 miles southeast.
