Marion, IL Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Marion, IL: What You Need to Know

Marion is the seat of Williamson County in southern Illinois. It’s part of the Carbondale-Marion-Herrin economic hub, which benefits from its proximity to St. Louis and Nashville.

Local History

William and Bethany Benson gave 20 acres of their land in Poor Prairie to Williamson County. The Benson site was chosen as the county seat in August 1839. The town was named after Francis Marion (aka the Swamp Fox) of South Carolina, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. Marion was chartered in February 1841. The town grew with the help of the establishment of the Carbondale and Shawneetown Railroad track in 1872. Two years later, Marion was granted a city charter. 

Job Opportunities

Marion and Williamson County are an important part of the southern Illinois economy. Key industries are manufacturing, which employs over 12% of workers in the county, health care and social assistance (15% of workers), and finance (6% of workers). The manufacturer AISIN Group, which serves the auto industry, has three plants in Marion. The city’s other top employers include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and Ameren.

Cost of Living

There’s plenty to like about a small town like Marion (population: 17,520), with affordability at the top of the list. Marion’s cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 7.4%, 6.7%, and 30.1% lower than the national average, respectively. The median gross rent in the city is $713. Illinois collects a flat income tax of 4.95%. Its sales tax ranges from 6.25% to 11%.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Marion is strategically located between Herrin and Carbondale, so it caters to the Southern Illinois University community in Carbondale and other professionals who commute from both cities. Rental options in Marion range from houses and condos to apartment complexes. In the suburbs, Carterville and Herrin get kudos for their top-notch schools, safe environment, and proximity to Marion and Carbondale.

Weather and Climate

Marion can be wet but sunny, judging by its average rainfall – 47 inches of rain annually versus the U.S. average of 38 inches. The city enjoys 206 sunny days per year, on a par with the national average of 205 sunny days. It receives about 12 inches of snow annually, lower than the U.S. average of 28 inches. Although Illinois is not part of the Tornado Alley, twisters do occur. On May 29, 1982, an F4 tornado struck across Marion and Williamson County, claiming 10 lives and injuring about 200.