Editing Marion, Kansas

{{Short description|City in Marion County, Kansas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Marion, Kansas
|settlement_type          = [[City]] and [[County seat]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = MarionCoCH.JPG
|image_caption            = [[Marion County Courthouse (Kansas)|Marion County Courthouse]] (2009)
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Marion County Kansas Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Marion Highlighted.svg
|map_caption              = Location within [[Marion County, Kansas|Marion County]] and [[Kansas]]
|image_map1               = Map of Marion Co, Ks, USA.png
|map_caption1             = [[Kansas Department of Transportation|KDOT]] map of [[Marion County, Kansas|Marion County]] ([[:File:Kansas official transportation map legend.png|legend]])

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="GNIS" />
|coordinates              = {{coord|38|21|17|N|97|00|29|W|region:US-KS_type:city_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Kansas]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Kansas|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Marion County, Kansas|Marion]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        = [[Centre Township, Marion County, Kansas|Centre]]

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         =
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        = 1866, 1871, 1873
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1875
|named_for                = [[Francis Marion]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     =
|government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–Council]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Michael Powers<ref name="Marion-CityCouncil" />

<!-- Area -->
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_20.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.70
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.69
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01
|area_total_km2           = 6.98
|area_land_km2            = 6.96
|area_water_km2           = 0.02
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GNIS" />
|elevation_ft             = 1342

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile" />
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 1922
|pop_est_footnotes        =
|pop_est_as_of            =
|population_est           =
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
|population_density_km2   = auto

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 66861
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 620|620]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = {{FIPS|20|44750}} <ref name="GNIS" />
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 485619 <ref name="GNIS">{{cite gnis2|485619|Marion, Kansas}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.marionks.net/|marionks.net}}
}}

'''Marion''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Marion County, Kansas|Marion County]], [[Kansas]], United States.<ref name="GNIS" />  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 1,922.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Marion, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US2011544750 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111202928/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US2011544750 |archive-date=November 11, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>  The city was named in honor of [[Francis Marion]], a [[brigadier general]] of the [[American Revolutionary War]], known as the "Swamp Fox".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://skyways.lib.ks.us/counties/MN|title=Blue Skyways – A service of the State Library of Kansas|access-date=July 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717022017/http://skyways.lib.ks.us/counties/MN/|archive-date=July 17, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{TOC limit|limit=2}}
==History==

===Early history===
{{See also|History of Kansas#Prehistory|label 1=Early Kansas History}}
For many [[millennia]], the [[Great Plains]] of [[North America]] was inhabited by [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]].  From the 16th century to 18th century, the [[Kingdom of France]] claimed ownership of large parts of [[North America]].  In 1762, after the [[French and Indian War]], France secretly ceded [[New France]] to [[Spain]], per the [[Treaty of Fontainebleau (1762)|Treaty of Fontainebleau]].

===19th century===
[[File:Map elk chase kansas.jpg|thumb|left|1893 Railroad Map]]
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France.  In 1803, most of the land for [[History of Kansas|modern day Kansas]] was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile [[Louisiana Purchase]] for 2.83 [[Penny (United States coin)|cents]] per [[acre]].

In 1806, [[Zebulon Pike]] led the [[Pike Expedition]] westward from [[St Louis, Missouri]], of which part of their journey followed the [[Cottonwood River (Kansas)|Cottonwood River]] through [[Marion County, Kansas|Marion County]] near the current cities of [[Florence, Kansas|Florence]], Marion, [[Durham, Kansas|Durham]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://zebulonpike.org/maps/kansas/MAINSEKS.pdf |title=1806 Pike Expedition map through Marion County |publisher=zebulonpike.org |access-date=June 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317175019/http://zebulonpike.org/maps/kansas/MAINSEKS.pdf |archive-date=March 17, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1854, the [[Kansas Territory]] was organized, then in 1861 [[Kansas]] became the 34th [[U.S. state]].  In 1855, [[Marion County, Kansas|Marion County]] was established within [[Kansas]], which included the land for modern day Marion.<ref name="Marion-Co-History">{{Cite web |url=http://www.marioncoks.net/AboutMarionCounty/History/tabid/7634/Default.aspx |title=The History of Marion County and Courthouse |access-date=January 17, 2016 |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227021903/http://www.marioncoks.net/AboutMarionCounty/History/tabid/7634/Default.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The city of '''Marion Centre''' was founded in 1860 and became the [[county seat]], named in honor of [[Francis Marion]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_5zdAAQAAMAAJ | title=Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society | publisher=Kansas State Printing Plant | author=Kansas State Historical Society | year=1916 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_5zdAAQAAMAAJ/page/n340 233]}}</ref>  A post office was established on September 30, 1862, which shortened the name to '''Marion''' on October 15, 1881. The city officially adopted the shorter name on January 17, 1882.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/county:MN |title=Kansas Post Offices, 1828–1961 (archived) |publisher=Kansas Historical Society |access-date=June 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009130856/http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/county%3AMN |archive-date=October 9, 2013 }}</ref> In 1875, Marion incorporated as a city as a 3rd class city, later in 1888 it became a 2nd class city.<ref name="MarionCountyBook" />

[[File:MarionLibrary.jpg|thumb|left|Marion Library, in former [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway|Santa Fe]] depot (Marion CO-OP [[grain elevator]] in background) (2011)]]
As early as 1875, city leaders of Marion held a meeting to consider a branch railroad from [[Florence, Kansas|Florence]]. In 1878, [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]] and parties from [[Marion County, Kansas|Marion County]] and [[McPherson County, Kansas|McPherson County]] chartered the [[Marion and McPherson Railway Company]].<ref name="MarionCountyBook">''Marion County Kansas : Past and Present''; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; [[LCCN]] 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.</ref>  In 1879, a branch line was built from [[Florence, Kansas|Florence]] to [[McPherson, Kansas|McPherson]], in 1880 it was extended to [[Lyons, Kansas|Lyons]], in 1881 it was extended to [[Ellinwood, Kansas|Ellinwood]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZIwpAAAAYAAJ|title=Fourth Annual Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners for the Year Ending December 1, 1886 in State of Kansas; Kansas Publishing House; 1886.|date=August 13, 1886 }}</ref> The line was leased and operated by the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]]. The line from [[Florence, Kansas|Florence]] to Marion, was abandoned in 1968.<ref name="Abandon Railway 1968">{{Cite web|url=http://www.abandonedrails.com/lyons-to-florence|title=Lyons to Florence, KS - Abandoned Rails|website=www.abandonedrails.com}}</ref> In 1992, the line from Marion to [[McPherson, Kansas|McPherson]] was sold to [[Central Kansas Railway]]. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original branch line connected [[Florence, Kansas|Florence]], Marion, [[Canada, Kansas|Canada]], [[Hillsboro, Kansas|Hillsboro]], [[Lehigh, Kansas|Lehigh]], [[Canton, Kansas|Canton]], [[Galva, Kansas|Galva]], [[McPherson, Kansas|McPherson]], [[Conway, Kansas|Conway]], [[Windom, Kansas|Windom]], [[Little River, Kansas|Little River]], [[Mitchell, Kansas|Mitchell]], [[Lyons, Kansas|Lyons]], [[Chase, Kansas|Chase]], [[Ellinwood, Kansas|Ellinwood]]. Later, the Santa Fe depot building was converted into the Marion Library. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".

In 1887, the [[Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway]] built a branch line north-south from [[Herington, Kansas|Herington]] through Marion to [[Caldwell, Kansas|Caldwell]].<ref name="Rock Island Rail History">{{cite web|url=http://home.covad.net/~scicoatnsew/rihist4.htm|title=Rock Island Rail History|access-date=July 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619230000/http://home.covad.net/~scicoatnsew/rihist4.htm|archive-date=June 19, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> It foreclosed in 1891 and was taken over by [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway]], which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as [[Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad]], merged in 1988 with [[Missouri Pacific Railroad]], and finally merged in 1997 with [[Union Pacific Railroad]]. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".

In 1889, the Marion Belt and Chingawasa Springs Railroad built a {{convert|4.5|mi|km|adj=on}} railroad from Marion north-east to Chingawasa Springs. A hotel was built near the site of the spa at Chingawasa Springs, and a depot and eatery as well. Both Santa Fe and Rock Island offered round trip fares from Chicago and western cities to Chingawasa Springs. An economic panic in 1893 closed down the health spa and hotel, and quarry business along the tracks never developed sufficiently. In 1893, the railroad ceased operations, and tracks were removed in 1910.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rypn.org/articles/single.php?filename=060401002334.txt|title=The Marion Belt and Chingawasa Springs Railroad |website=www.rypn.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orphantraindepot.com/LegendArticlePart1.html|title=Chingawasa Springs (1 of 2)|work=National Orphan Train Complex|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002014406/http://www.orphantraindepot.com/LegendArticlePart1.html|archive-date=October 2, 2011}}</ref>

===20th century===
[[File:Stouffer's Railroad Map of Kansas 1915-1918 Marion County.png|thumb|1915 Railroad Map of [[Marion County, Kansas|Marion County]]]]
The [[National Old Trails Road]], also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, was established in 1912, and was routed through [[Lehigh, Kansas|Lehigh]], [[Hillsboro, Kansas|Hillsboro]], Marion and [[Lost Springs, Kansas|Lost Springs]].

In 1937, the [[Marion County Lake]] was completed by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] south-east of Marion for the purpose of recreation. There were numerous floods during the early history of Marion. In June and July 1951, due to heavy rains, rivers and streams flooded numerous cities in Kansas, including Marion. Many reservoirs and levees were built in Kansas as part of a response to the [[Great Flood of 1951]]. From 1964 to 1968, the [[Marion Reservoir]] was constructed north-west of Marion. Downstream from the Marion Reservoir, levees were built in the low areas of Marion and [[Florence, Kansas|Florence]].

===21st century===
[[File:Downtown marion kansas 2009.jpg|thumb|right|Marion business district (2009)]]

====2023 newspaper raid====
{{Main|Marion County Record#2023 police raid}}

In August 2023, Marion County police raided the newspaper ''[[Marion County Record]]'', its owners, and a local city council member.  The police had received information that the paper had obtained, allegedly from a confidential source (it was later shown that legal public sources were used) that a local business owner had an unresolved drunk driving conviction and continued to drive for many months without a driving license.  The newspaper did not publish this legally obtained information.<ref name="Reflector-20230811">{{cite news|title=Police stage 'chilling' raid on Marion County newspaper, seizing computers, records and cellphones|url=https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/11/police-stage-chilling-raid-on-marion-county-newspaper-seizing-computers-records-and-cellphones/ |work=[[Kansas Reflector]]|date=August 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811213004/https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/11/police-stage-chilling-raid-on-marion-county-newspaper-seizing-computers-records-and-cellphones/|archive-date=August 11, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=August 13, 2023 |title=A central Kansas police force sparked a firestorm by raiding a newspaper and the publisher's home |url=https://apnews.com/article/marion-kansas-newspaper-raid-aca057365ea3925328a69acd615c9893|access-date=August 15, 2023 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Police seized phone, computer from town official the same day as Kansas newspaper raid |url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/kansas/article278220882.html |website=Kansas City Star}}</ref>

==Geography==
Marion is located in the scenic [[Flint Hills]] and [[Great Plains]] of the state of [[Kansas]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.99|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|2.98|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=July 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 25, 2012}}</ref>

===Climate===
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Marion has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web |title=Climate Summary for Marion, Kansas |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=930541&cityname=Marion%2C+Kansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |work=Weatherbase}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Marion, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1966–present
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 74
|Feb record high F = 80
|Mar record high F = 88
|Apr record high F = 95
|May record high F = 98
|Jun record high F = 105
|Jul record high F = 110
|Aug record high F = 109
|Sep record high F = 107
|Oct record high F = 97
|Nov record high F = 83
|Dec record high F = 74

|Jan avg record high F = 62.5
|Feb avg record high F = 68.6
|Mar avg record high F = 77.7
|Apr avg record high F = 84.6
|May avg record high F = 91.2
|Jun avg record high F = 97.3
|Jul avg record high F = 102.5
|Aug avg record high F = 101.1
|Sep avg record high F = 95.9
|Oct avg record high F = 87.8
|Nov avg record high F = 73.6
|Dec avg record high F = 63.9
|year avg record high F = 103.5

|Jan high F = 41.0
|Feb high F = 45.7
|Mar high F = 56.8
|Apr high F = 66.9
|May high F = 76.5
|Jun high F = 86.9
|Jul high F = 92.2
|Aug high F = 90.7
|Sep high F = 82.7
|Oct high F = 70.3
|Nov high F = 55.5
|Dec high F = 43.8
|year high F = 

|Jan mean F = 31.1
|Feb mean F = 35.2
|Mar mean F = 45.8
|Apr mean F = 55.8
|May mean F = 66.0
|Jun mean F = 76.2
|Jul mean F = 81.2
|Aug mean F = 79.4
|Sep mean F = 71.1
|Oct mean F = 58.5
|Nov mean F = 44.9
|Dec mean F = 34.2
|year mean F = 

|Jan low F = 21.3
|Feb low F = 24.7
|Mar low F = 34.7
|Apr low F = 44.6
|May low F = 55.5
|Jun low F = 65.6
|Jul low F = 70.1
|Aug low F = 68.2
|Sep low F = 59.4
|Oct low F = 46.7
|Nov low F = 34.3
|Dec low F = 24.6
|year low F = 

|Jan avg record low F = 1.1
|Feb avg record low F = 5.4
|Mar avg record low F = 15.0
|Apr avg record low F = 27.2
|May avg record low F = 38.8
|Jun avg record low F = 51.8
|Jul avg record low F = 57.8
|Aug avg record low F = 56.0
|Sep avg record low F = 42.3
|Oct avg record low F = 28.3
|Nov avg record low F = 17.0
|Dec avg record low F = 7.0
|year avg record low F = -2.5

|Jan record low F = -16
|Feb record low F = -20
|Mar record low F = -5
|Apr record low F = 11
|May record low F = 26
|Jun record low F = 42
|Jul record low F = 46
|Aug record low F = 47
|Sep record low F = 28
|Oct record low F = 14
|Nov record low F = 4
|Dec record low F = -24

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.80
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.21
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.15
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.11
|May precipitation inch = 5.20
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.54
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.34
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.98
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.50
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.55
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.38
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.18
|year precipitation inch = 

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 3.9
|Feb precipitation days = 3.8
|Mar precipitation days = 5.8
|Apr precipitation days = 7.4
|May precipitation days = 9.9
|Jun precipitation days = 8.6
|Jul precipitation days = 8.4
|Aug precipitation days = 7.5
|Sep precipitation days = 6.6
|Oct precipitation days = 6.0
|Nov precipitation days = 3.8
|Dec precipitation days = 4.0

|Jan snow inch = 1.3
|Feb snow inch = 0.8
|Mar snow inch = 0.9
|Apr snow inch = 0.4
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.1
|Nov snow inch = 0.3
|Dec snow inch = 1.5
|year snow inch = 

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 1.0
|Feb snow days = 0.5
|Mar snow days = 0.3
|Apr snow days = 0.1
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 0.2
|Dec snow days = 0.9

|Jan snow depth inch = 
|Feb snow depth inch = 
|Mar snow depth inch = 
|Apr snow depth inch = 
|May snow depth inch = 
|Jun snow depth inch = 
|Jul snow depth inch = 
|Aug snow depth inch = 
|Sep snow depth inch = 
|Oct snow depth inch = 
|Nov snow depth inch = 
|Dec snow depth inch = 
|year snow depth inch = 

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00145039&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Marion RSVR, KS
|access-date = November 21, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=ict
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Wichita
|access-date = November 21, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=
|1880= 857
|1890= 2047
|1900= 1824
|1910= 1841
|1920= 1928
|1930= 1959
|1940= 2086
|1950= 2050
|1960= 2169
|1970= 2052
|1980= 1951
|1990= 1906
|2000= 2110
|2010= 1927
|2020= 1922
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=[https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]
}}

===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]] counted 1,922 people, 860 households, and 502 families in Marion.<ref name=:2020/><ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Marion%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The population density was 696.9 per square mile (269.1/km{{sup|2}}). There were 971 housing units at an average density of 352.1 per square mile (135.9/km{{sup|2}}).<ref name=:2020>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?q=Marion%20city,%20Kansas%20dp1 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |publisher=United States Census Bureau |title=Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2020/geo/gazetter-file.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Census.gov}}</ref> The racial makeup was 94.17% (1,810) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (93.08% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 0.1% (2) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 0.47% (9) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.05% (1) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.0% (0) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 0.26% (5) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.94% (95) from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P1?q=Marion%20city,%20Kansas%20p1&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 3.33% (64) of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=Marion%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 860 households, 23.8% had children under the age of 18; 46.4% were married couples living together; 29.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 37.7% of households consisted of individuals and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=:2020/> The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.9.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Marion%20city,%20Kansas%20s1101%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 18.4% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Marion%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

20.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.0 males.<ref name=:2020/> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 117.8 males.<ref name=:2020/>

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $46,548 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,836) and the median family income was $59,028 (+/- $9,025).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1903?q=Marion%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $40,000 (+/- $11,143) versus $28,750 (+/- $8,663) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,826 (+/- $3,144).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S2001?q=Marion%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 5.2% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.9% of those under the age of 18 and 4.2% of those ages 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1701?q=Marion%20city,%20Kansas%20s1701%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1702?q=Marion%20city,%20Kansas%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

===2010 census===
At the 2010 [[census]],<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=July 6, 2012}}</ref> there were 1,927 people, 846 households, and 514 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|646.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. There were 973 housing units at an average density of {{convert|326.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.6% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.5% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 846 households, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.2% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age was 44 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 23% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

==Arts and culture==

===Area events===
* Chingawassa Days Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chingawassa.com|work=chingawassa.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228215810/http://chingawassa.com/ |url-status=dead |title=Chingawassa Days Festival 2012 |archive-date=February 28, 2012 }}</ref>
* Old Settler's Day<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marionks.net/events_oldsettlersday.php|title=City of Marion Official web site|access-date=July 20, 2010|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094742/http://marionks.net/events_oldsettlersday.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Art in the Park and Craft Show<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marionks.net/artinthepark.php|title=City of Marion Official web site|access-date=July 20, 2010|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224752/http://marionks.net/artinthepark.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Area attractions===
[[File:Elgin Hotel Marion Co Kansas front.jpg|thumb|1886 Elgin Hotel (2022)]]
Marion has five listings on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] (NRHP).
* Elgin Hotel<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marionelgin.com|title=marionelgin.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310111937/http://www.marionelgin.com/ |archive-date=March 10, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kshs.org/resource/national_register/nominationsNRDB/Marion_ElginHotelNR.pdf |work=National Register of Historic Places |title= Elgin Hotel}}</ref> ([[National Register of Historic Places|NRHP]]), 115 North 3rd Street. Currently a Bed and Breakfast.
* First Presbyterian Church<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kshs.org/resource/national_register/nominationsNRDB/Marion_FirstPresbyterianChurchSR.pdf |work= National Register of Historic Places |title= First Presbyterian Church}}</ref> ([[National Register of Historic Places|NRHP]]), 610 East Lawrence Street.
* Hill Grade School<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kshs.org/resource/national_register/nominationsNRDB/Marion_HillGradeSchoolNR.pdf |work= National Register of Historic Places |title=Hill Grade School}}</ref> ([[National Register of Historic Places|NRHP]]), 601 East Main Street.
* [[Marion County Courthouse (Kansas)|Marion County Courthouse]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marioncoks.net/|title=Marion County, KS &#124;|website=www.marioncoks.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kshs.org/resource/national_register/nominationsNRDB/Marion_MarionCoCourthouseNR.pdf |work=National Register of Historic Places |title= Marion County Courthouse }}</ref> ([[National Register of Historic Places|NRHP]]), 200 South 3rd Street.
* Marion County Museum,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marionks.com/museum.php|title=City of Marion Official web site|access-date=July 19, 2010|archive-date=April 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414061614/http://www.marionks.com/museum.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> 623 East Main Street. Formerly the First Baptist Church from 1882 to mid-1950s.
Nearby recreational areas:
* [[Marion County Lake]], southeast of Marion, {{convert|1|mi|km|adj=on}} east of Marion on 190th Street (Main) then {{convert|1.75|mi|km}} south on Upland Road.
* [[Marion Reservoir]], northwest of Marion, exists along [[U.S. Route 56 (Kansas)|US-56]] (closest to farthest): Marion cove and Cottonwood Point cove (Pawnee Road), Overlook and Dam (Old Mill Road), Hillsboro cove (Nighthawk Road), French Creek cove (Limestone Road).

==Government==
[[File:Donaldson and Hosmer Building Marion Kansas front.jpg|thumb|upright|1887 Donaldson and Hosmer Building (2022)]]

===City===
The Marion government consists of a mayor and four council members. The city council meets every other Monday at 4:30pm.<ref name="Marion-CityCouncil">{{cite web |title=City Council |url=https://www.marionks.net/city-council |website=City of Marion |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813062650/https://www.marionks.net/city-council |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* City Hall – 208 E. Santa Fe St.<ref name="Marion-CityCouncil" />
* Police Department – 112 N. 5th St.<ref name="Marion-PoliceDept">{{cite web |title=Police Department |url=https://www.marionks.net/police-department |website=City of Marion |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814102329/https://www.marionks.net/police-department |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>  As of August 2023, the police department had five full time members.<ref name="Marion-PoliceDept" /><ref name="Reflector-20230811" />
* Fire Department – 114 N. 5th St.<ref name="Marion-FireDept">{{cite web |title=Fire Department |url=https://www.marionks.net/fire-department |website=City of Marion |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814103332/https://www.marionks.net/fire-department |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===County===
* [[Marion County Courthouse (Kansas)|Marion County Courthouse]] – 203 S. 4th St.

===U.S.===
* U.S. Post Office – 423 E. Main St.
* U.S. Consolidated Farm Service Agency – 301 N. Eisenhower Dr.

==Education==
[[File:Hill Grade School Marion Co Kansas west facade.jpg|thumb|right|former Hill Grade School (2022)]]
[[File:Bown-Corby School Marion Co KS southwest facade.jpg|thumb|right|former Bown-Corby Grade School (2022)]]

===Public schools===
The community is served by [[Marion–Florence USD 408]] public school district.  The high school is a member of T.E.E.N., a shared video teaching network between five area high schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://teen632.org/ |title= T.E.E.N. video teaching network |work=teen632 }}</ref>
* [[Marion High School (Kansas)]], 701 E Main St.
* Marion Middle School, 125 S Lincoln St.
* Marion Elementary School, 1400 E Lawrence St.

===Library===
Each USD 408 school has a library for student access. The city is served by the Marion City Library at 101 Library Street. The library is a member of the North Central Kansas Libraries System, which provides an inter-library book loan service between its members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marion.mykansaslibrary.org/|title=Marion City Library|access-date=July 19, 2010|archive-date=July 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708001056/http://marion.mykansaslibrary.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Media==
{{See also|List of newspapers in Kansas|List of radio stations in Kansas|List of television stations in Kansas}}

===Print===
* ''[[Marion County Record]]'', official newspaper for City of Marion and Marion County.
* ''[[Hillsboro Free Press]]'', free newspaper for greater [[Marion County, Kansas|Marion County]] area.

===Radio===
Marion is served by numerous [[Radio broadcasting|radio stations]] from the [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]]-[[Hutchinson, Kansas|Hutchinson]] listening market area,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheradio.net/metro/wichita_ks.aspx|title=Wichita-Hutchinson Radio market.|access-date=October 21, 2011|archive-date=October 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022013445/http://www.ontheradio.net/metro/wichita_ks.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[satellite radio]]. (See ''[[Media in Wichita, Kansas]]''.)

===Television===
Marion is served by over-the-air [[ATSC]] [[digital television|digital TV]] of the Wichita-Hutchinson viewing market area,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stationindex.com/tv/markets/Wichita-Hutchinson|title=Wichita - Hutchinson Television Stations - Station Index|website=www.stationindex.com}}</ref> [[cable TV]], and [[Satellite television|satellite TV]].  (See ''[[Media in Wichita, Kansas]]''.)

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
[[U.S. Route 56 in Kansas|U.S. Route 56]] runs along the city's northern side, and [[U.S. Route 77 in Kansas|U.S. Route 77]] is {{convert|2|mi}} east of the city. [[K-256 (Kansas highway)|Kansas Highway 256]] runs through the center of town as Main Street, past the east end business section, Marion High School and the downtown business district. A regional [[Kansas Department of Transportation]] office is located on the northern side of Marion at the corner of U.S. Route 56 and Cedar Street.

The Oklahoma Kansas Texas (OKT)<ref>{{cite web | title = UP Railroad Common Line Names | publisher = [[Union Pacific Railroad]] | url = http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/maps/attachments/upcomnam.pdf | access-date = August 2, 2010}}</ref> line of the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] runs north-south through the city.

[[Marion Municipal Airport (Kansas)|Marion Municipal Airport]], FAA:43K,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ksdot.org/divAviation/pdf_pic_pages/Marion_P79.pdf|title=Marion Municipal Airport map|date=June 10, 2016|access-date=August 12, 2010|archive-date=May 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516202514/http://www.ksdot.org/divAviation/pdf_pic_pages/Marion_P79.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> is located south-east of Marion and centered at {{coord|38.337500|N|96.991666|W|type:airport}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airnav.com/airport/43K|title=AirNav: 43K - Marion Municipal Airport|website=www.airnav.com}}</ref>

==Notable people==
[[File:Francis Marion 001.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Francis Marion]] (late 1700s)]]
{{See also|Marion High School (Kansas)#Notable people|l1=List of Marion High School notable people}}
* [[Randolph Carpenter]] (1894–1956), [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] from [[Kansas]] and a U.S. Army [[World War I]] [[veteran]].
* [[Charlie Faust]] (1880–1915), [[Major League Baseball|Major League baseball]] player
* [[Beverly Hoch]] (born 1951), soprano<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IsFdAAAAIBAJ&pg=4083,1786689 |title=13 Advance to Semi-finals|work=[[The Victoria Advocate]]|date=May 7, 1983}}</ref>
* [[Edward W. Hoch|Edward Hoch]] (1849–1925), Kansas House of Representatives,<ref name=khor>{{cite web|url=http://www.kslib.info/legislators |title=Kansas Legislators Past & Present |work=kslib.info |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801091621/http://www.kslib.info/legislators/ |archive-date=August 1, 2010 }}</ref> [[List of Governors of Kansas|17th]] [[Governor of Kansas]], editor of ''Marion County Record'', [[Hoch Auditoria]] at [[University of Kansas]] was named after him.<ref>{{cite book|last=Capace|first=Nancy|title=Encyclopedia of Kansas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TSFZV1bcgOQC&pg=PA103 |date=June 1, 2000|publisher=North American Book Dist LLC|isbn=978-0-403-09312-0|page=104 }}</ref>
* [[Homer Hoch]] (1879–1949), U.S. Congressman, member of [[Kansas Supreme Court]], lawyer, editor of ''Marion County Record''
* [[Tex Jones]] (1885–1938), Major League baseball player
* [[Eric K. Meyer|Eric Meyer]] (born 1953), journalism professor at [[University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign|University of Illinois]], Pulitzer Prize nominee, president and majority owner of Hoch Publishing Co (in Marion)
* [[Fay Moulton]] (1876–1945), Olympic [[Sprint (running)|sprinter]], [[American football|football]] player and coach, lawyer; served as fifth head football coach at [[Kansas State Agricultural College]] (Kansas State University)
* [[Samuel R. Peters|Samuel Peters]] (1842–1910), Captain in [[Union Army]] (1861–1865), lawyer, Kansas State Senator (1874–1875), Judge of 9th District (1875–1883), U.S. House of Representatives (1883–1891), newspaper editor
* [[William M. Runyan|William Runyan]] (1870–1957), preacher, composer of "[[Great Is Thy Faithfulness]]"
* [[Carla Stovall]] (born 1957), [[Kansas Attorney General]]
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==See also==
{{Portal|Kansas}}
* [[Cottonwood River (Kansas)|Cottonwood River]] and [[Great Flood of 1951]]
* [[Marion County, Kansas#Historical maps|Historical Maps of Marion County, Kansas]]
* [[National Old Trails Road]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Marion County, Kansas]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Kansas books}}
{{See also2|[[Marion County, Kansas#Further reading|List of books about Marion County, Kansas]], including historical information about its communities}}
* ''Marion, The Media, and The Morons - Project 2025 Assault on Democracy''; Thane M. Schwartz; Apostle Publishers; 201 pages; 2025; ISBN 979-8992468502.
* [https://www.kansashistory.gov/preserve/pdfs/marion_downtown_survey_2019.pdf ''Downtown Marion - 2019 Historic Resources Survey'']; 20 pages; 2019.
* ''Marion County Dreamed of Prosperity in Chingawassa Springs, Quarry Siding, and Rainbow Lake''; Marion Record Review; September 14, 1944.
* ''The Boom Days of the 1880's in the News Stories of Those Days''; Marion Record; September 11, 1941; Souvenir Edition.
* ''Memories of Old Chingawassa Railroad and Resort''; Marion Record; September 10-11, 1941; Souvenir Edition.
* ''First Mayor of Marion Centre''; Jack Costello; Marion Record; September 10-11, 1941; Souvenir Edition.
* ''History of College Hill School''; Mrs Frank Rhodes; Marion Record; September 16, 1937.
* ''Marion, Kansas''; Printing Bureau, 1926.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Marion, Kansas}}
* {{Official website|https://www.marionks.net/|Marion - Official}}
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260867 Marion - Directory of Public Officials], League of Kansas Municipalities
* [http://specialcollections.wichita.edu/kw/towns.asp?town=Marion&county=Marion Historic Images of Marion], Special Photo Collections at Wichita State University Library

{{Marion County, Kansas}}
{{Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:County seats in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Marion County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1860]]
[[Category:1860 establishments in Kansas Territory]]