Marion, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marion, Kentucky
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Nike Ajax located at the Middle School
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| Motto(s):
"Kentucky's Hidden Treasure"
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Location of Marion in Crittenden County, Kentucky.
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Kentucky | |
| County | Crittenden | |
| Incorporated | 1842 | |
| Reïncorporated | 1851 | |
| Named for | Brig. Gen. Francis Marion | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 3.35 sq mi (8.68 km2) | |
| • Land | 3.33 sq mi (8.61 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2) | |
| Elevation | 594 ft (181 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,916 | |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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2,900 | |
| • Density | 876.99/sq mi (338.57/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | |
| ZIP code |
42064
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| Area code(s) | 270 | |
| FIPS code | 21-50034 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0497543 | |
Marion is a city in Crittenden County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the main town and government center of its county, known as the county seat. As of the 2010 census, about 3,039 people lived here.
The areas around Marion are home to many Amish families. They live a simple lifestyle, often without modern technology. The Marion-Crittenden County Airport is just west of the city.
Contents
History of Marion
The city of Marion is named after Francis Marion. He was a brave general from South Carolina during the American Revolutionary War. He was also known as the "Swamp Fox."
Marion was started in 1842. Dr. John S. Gilliam gave the land for the city. This happened soon after Crittenden County was formed in January 1842. The city officially became a town on February 22, 1844. A post office opened there in 1846.
During the Civil War, in 1864, the courthouse in Marion was burned down. This was a tough time for the city.
A railroad line was finished in 1887. It connected Blackford to Princeton, and a train station was built in Marion. This railroad was first owned by the Illinois Central Railroad. It is no longer in use today.
In 1926, a special school opened in Marion. It was a one-room Rosenwald School for African-American children. After finishing elementary school, these students went to high school in nearby Caldwell County until 1936. Later, they attended high school in Princeton, Kentucky.
Geography and Location
Marion is located in the middle of Crittenden County. You can find it at coordinates 37°19′57″N 88°4′45″W / 37.33250°N 88.07917°W. Two main roads, U.S. 60 and U.S. 641, meet in the center of town.
U.S. 60 goes northeast about 30 miles to Morganfield. It also goes southwest about 45 miles to Paducah. U.S. 641 heads south about 10 miles to Fredonia. It continues 20 miles to meet U.S. 62 in Eddyville.
The United States Census Bureau says Marion covers about 3.35 square miles (8.7 square kilometers). Only a very small part, about 0.03 square miles (0.07 square kilometers), is water.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 102 | — | |
| 1880 | 833 | 716.7% | |
| 1890 | 840 | 0.8% | |
| 1900 | 1,064 | 26.7% | |
| 1910 | 1,627 | 52.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,718 | 5.6% | |
| 1930 | 1,892 | 10.1% | |
| 1940 | 2,163 | 14.3% | |
| 1950 | 2,375 | 9.8% | |
| 1960 | 2,468 | 3.9% | |
| 1970 | 3,008 | 21.9% | |
| 1980 | 3,392 | 12.8% | |
| 1990 | 3,320 | −2.1% | |
| 2000 | 3,196 | −3.7% | |
| 2010 | 3,039 | −4.9% | |
| 2020 | 2,916 | −4.0% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 2,900 | −4.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 3,196 people living in Marion. They lived in 1,415 households. About 25.8% of these households had children under 18. Many households were married couples living together.
The population was spread out by age. About 20.4% were under 18 years old. About 22.7% were 65 years or older. The average age in the city was 42 years.
Arts and Culture in Marion
Marion has some interesting places for arts and culture.
Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum
The Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum is famous around the world. It has a huge collection of fluorite crystals. Crittenden County was once very important for mining fluorite. This museum shows off that history.
Crittenden County Historical Museum
The Crittenden County Historical Museum keeps local history safe. It has items and stories from before the county was even created.
Community Arts Foundation
The Community Arts Foundation helps local artists. They put on different shows and performances at the historic Fohs Hall.
Sports and Entertainment
Marion used to have a baseball team called the Marion Bobcats. They played from 2008 to 2013. The city also had a Holiday Drive-In Theater. It could hold 200 cars, but it is no longer there. There were also other theaters in the past.
Education in Marion
Public schools in Marion are managed by Crittenden County Schools. All the schools, including Crittenden County Elementary, Middle, and High School, are located right in Marion.
Marion also has a public library. It is called the Crittenden County Public Library. You can borrow books and other materials there.
Notable People from Marion
Many interesting people have come from Marion:
- Lee Cruce (1863–1933) was the second governor of Oklahoma.
- Shelby Hearon (1931–2016) was a writer of novels and short stories.
- Ollie Murray James (1871–1918) represented Kentucky in the U.S. House and Senate.
- Walter Walker (1883–1932) was a U.S. senator for Colorado in 1932. He was also a newspaperman.
- Floyd "Rip" Wheeler (1921–1968) was a professional baseball player.
Climate in Marion
The weather in Marion has hot and humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Marion has a humid subtropical climate. This is often shown as "Cfa" on climate maps. It means the area gets plenty of rain all year.
See also
In Spanish: Marion (Kentucky) para niños
