Marion, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Town of Marion, Virginia
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The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia.
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| Motto(s):
America's Coolest Hometown
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 Marion, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Marion, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Virginia | |
| County | Smyth | |
| Area | ||
| • Town | 5.16 sq mi (10.76 km2) | |
| • Land | 5.13 sq mi (10.69 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2) | |
| Elevation | 2,500 ft (800 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Town | 6,022 | |
| • Density | 1,347.31/sq mi (537.98/km2) | |
| • Metro | Approximately 14,500 total population | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
24354
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| Area code(s) | 276 | |
| FIPS code | 51-49464 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 1498513 | |
Marion is a town in Smyth County, Virginia. It is also the county seat, which means it's where the main government offices for the county are located. The town is found along Interstate 81. This area is part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Southwest Virginia.
Marion was named after Francis Marion, a hero from the American Revolutionary War. In 2020, about 6,000 people lived within the town limits. However, if you include nearby areas that use Marion's mailing address, the total population is around 14,500. This is about half of Smyth County's total population.
Contents
Exploring Marion's Geography
Marion, Virginia, has two large water towers that stand side-by-side. One is labeled "HOT" in red letters, and the other is "COLD" in blue. These towers are easy to spot from Interstate 81. They are located just off Marion exit 47.
The town covers about 5.2 square miles (10.7 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Marion is also home to Hungry Mother State Park. This park is one of Virginia's first six state parks, opened in the 1930s. It's a great place for outdoor activities.
Marion's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 445 | — | |
| 1870 | 368 | −17.3% | |
| 1880 | 919 | 149.7% | |
| 1890 | 1,651 | 79.7% | |
| 1900 | 2,045 | 23.9% | |
| 1910 | 2,727 | 33.3% | |
| 1920 | 3,253 | 19.3% | |
| 1930 | 4,156 | 27.8% | |
| 1940 | 5,177 | 24.6% | |
| 1950 | 6,982 | 34.9% | |
| 1960 | 8,385 | 20.1% | |
| 1970 | 8,158 | −2.7% | |
| 1980 | 7,287 | −10.7% | |
| 1990 | 6,858 | −5.9% | |
| 2000 | 6,503 | −5.2% | |
| 2010 | 6,292 | −3.2% | |
| 2020 | 6,022 | −4.3% | |
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Who Lives in Marion?
| Group | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 5,213 | 87.17% |
| Black or African American | 261 | 4.54% |
| Native American | 12 | 0.21% |
| Asian | 59 | 1.03% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.02% |
| Other/Mixed | 224 | 3.89% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 181 | 3.15% |
In 2020, the town of Marion had 6,022 people living there. These people lived in 2,573 households. About 1,394 of these households were families.
A Look at Marion's History
Marion has a rich history with several interesting facts.
Education and Institutions
Marion College was a two-year college for women. It was run by the Lutheran church. The college was open from 1873 until 1967. A building at Roanoke College called Marion Hall was built in 1968. It was named to honor Francis Marion.
Marion is also home to the Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute. This facility helps people with mental health needs.
Civil War and Local Inventions
In December 1864, during the American Civil War, the Battle of Marion took place here.
Marion is famous as the birthplace of the soft drink Mountain Dew. While Mountain Dew was first sold in Knoxville, Tennessee, the recipe changed a lot in Marion. The version we know today was developed here. In 1961, the Tip Corporation, based in Marion, bought the rights to Mountain Dew. William H. "Bill" Jones, a Marion resident, improved the flavor. Because of how popular the new drink became, the Pepsi Corporation bought the Tip Corporation in 1964. Marion also hosted the Mountain Dew Festival for over 50 years.
Modern Developments and Attractions
The Emory and Henry College School of Health Sciences opened in Marion in 2014.
Back of the Dragon is a popular road for motorcycles and sports cars. It starts in Marion, Virginia. This part of State Route 16 is known for its sharp turns and beautiful views.
Marion's Park Place Drive-In Theatre was built in 1954. In May 2024, USA Today named it the eighth best drive-in theater in the United States.
Many historic places in Marion are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include R. T. Greer and Company, Henderson Building, Hotel Lincoln, Hungry Mother State Park Historic District, Lincoln Theatre, Marion Historic District, Marion Male Academy, Norfolk & Western Railway Depot, Preston House, and the Abijah Thomas House.
In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused flooding and damage in the town.
Famous People from Marion
Many notable people have connections to Marion:
- Sherwood Anderson (1876–1941) was an American author. He was a New York Times best-selling writer and lived in Marion. He is also buried there.
- William Pat Jennings (1919–1994) served as the 28th Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.
- Katherine Johnson (1918–2020) was a brilliant American NASA mathematician. Her story was told in the movie Hidden Figures. She taught in Marion for a time.
- Otho B. Rosenbaum (1871–1962) was a U.S. Army brigadier general.
- Nolan Ryan is a famous Hall of Fame pitcher in Major League Baseball. Early in his career, he played for a minor league team in Marion. This team was called the Marion Mets (1965–1976).
- Billy Wagner is a 7-time All-Star Major League Baseball pitcher.
Marion's Climate
Marion has a mild climate. The temperatures don't change too much between highs and lows. There is also enough rainfall throughout the year. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Marion has a humid subtropical climate. This is often shown as "Cfb" on climate maps.
In January, which is the coldest month, temperatures are usually around 45 °F (7 °C) for highs and 25 °F (-4 °C) for lows. In July, the warmest month, temperatures are typically around 85 °F (29 °C) for highs and 65 °F (18 °C) for lows.
See also
In Spanish: Marion (Virginia) para niños
