Marion County
OH · Pop. 65,145 · Mixed County
Marion County sits in Ohio across 404 square miles, home to 65,145 people at 161.3 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. The median home price is $146,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.98%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 164-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.8°F and average winter lows of 19.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Marion General Hospital is 2.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $146,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Marion General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 164-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
At a glance
Marion County, OH is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 72/100
- Median home price
- $146k
- Property tax
- 0.98%
- Growing season
- 164 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.3"
- Broadband
- 98.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Marion General Hospital, 2.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Marion County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Marion County?
- Marion County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 164-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.8°F, and average winter lows of 19.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $146,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.98%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Marion General Hospital is 2.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Ohio
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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