| Official Name: | Town of Marion, Virginia |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Motto: | America's Coolest Hometown |
| Pushpin Map: | Virginia#USA |
| Pushpin Label: | Marion |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in the Commonwealth of Virginia |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Name1: | Virginia |
| Subdivision Name2: | Smyth |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | David Helms |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 5.16 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 5.13 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.03 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 6,022 |
| Population Metro: | Approximately 14,500total population |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 1347.31 |
| Timezone: | EST |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
| Coordinates: | 36.8333°N -112°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Postal Code: | 24354 |
| Area Code: | 276 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 51-49464 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 1498513[1] |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [2] |
| Area Total Km2: | 10.76 |
| Area Land Km2: | 10.69 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.08 |
| Population Density Km2: | 537.98 |
| Elevation Ft: | 2,500 |
Marion is a town in, and the county seat of, Smyth County, Virginia, United States. It is positioned upon Interstate 81, in the Blue Ridge portion of the Southern Appalachian mountains in Southwest Virginia.[3] The town is named for American Revolutionary War officer Francis Marion. The town limits had a population of approximately 6,000, per 2020 Census estimates. However, together with the neighborhoods, an additional 9,000 residents residing in unincorporated Smyth County have Marion mailing addresses, granting the Marion, VA ZIP code (24354) a total population of about 14,500, which is around half of the county's total population.
Marion, Virginia is the location of two large side-by-side ground storage water tower tanks, which are separately labeled "HOT" (in red letters) and "COLD" (in blue). The landmarks, positioned just off of Marion exit 47, are visible to both north and south bound Interstate 81 traffic lanes.
Marion is located at 36.8333°N -112°W (36.8370, -81.5165).[4]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 5.2 square miles (10.7 km2), all of it land.
Marion is home to Hungry Mother State Park, one of the six original Virginia State Parks from the 1930s.
| 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% |
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 6,500 people, 2,677 households, and 1,648 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,528.3 people per square mile (590.7/km2). There were 2,865 housing units at an average density of 689.6 per square mile (266.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 91.98% White, 5.94% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.
There were 2,677 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.4% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.
The current (2020) median income for a household in the town is $54,652.
Marion College, a two-year Lutheran women's college, operated from 1873 to 1967. Marion Hall, constructed in 1968 and named in honor of Francis Marion, is a residence hall at Roanoke College.
Marion is also home to Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute.
In 1864, during the Civil War, it was the site of the Battle of Marion
Marion is the birthplace of the soft drink Mountain Dew.[7] Although Mountain Dew was first marketed under that name in Knoxville, TN, the original soft drink's formula changed drastically from Knoxville's formula to the syrup mixture that constitutes today's drink, which is Marion's version. In 1961, the rights to Mountain Dew were purchased by the Marion-based Tip Corporation. The Mountain Dew flavor was reworked by Marion resident William H. "Bill" Jones. Due to the success of the revised formulation, the Pepsi Corporation purchased the Tip Corporation in 1964.[8] [9] Marion also hosted the Mountain Dew Festival for more than 50 years.[10]
Back of the Dragon, a segment of SR16 popular among motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts for its sharp turns and scenic overlooks, begins in Marion, Virginia.
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 are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Marion has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfb" on climate maps. Marion's normal temperature numbers are typically at or near 45/25 F in January (coldest month), and 85/65 F in July (warmest month).[13]