Marion, Iowa

Marion is a city in Linn County, Iowa, United States. The population was 26,294 at the 2000 census and was estimated at 32,172 in 2007. The city is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The town was named after Francis Marion, a hero of the Revolutionary War. The site was selected in 1839 to be the first county seat of the newly-organized Linn County, Iowa. After years of debate over moving the county seat to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, it was put to a vote in 1919. The vote was 9,960 in favor of moving the seat and 4,823 not in favor.

The town was the home to St. Berchman's Seminary, established in 1905 by the Sister's of Mercy as a boarding school for small boys. The academy, which closed in 1942, consisted of five buildings spread over 23 acres. One of the most famous residents was actor Don Ameche, who lived in the facility as a boy; he went on to star in the movie Cocoon. Today, the main building, now housing apartments, is all that remains.

Geography
Marion is located at °N, °W (42.037649, -91.592925).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.0 square miles (31.1 km²), all of it land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,294 people, 10,458 households, and 7,174 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,192.1 people per square mile (846.0/km²). There were 10,968 housing units at an average density of 914.4 per square mile (352.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.01% White, 0.60% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population.

There were 10,458 households out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,591, and the median income for a family was $59,110. Males had a median income of $40,766 versus $26,241 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,158. About 3.9% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

Museums
The Granger House Museum is a restored middle-class family home, representing the structural design of the American Victorian age. The house, built in the 1840s, showcases an extensive collection that includes many original furnishings. The brick carriage house, built in 1879 next to the Granger home, is an untouched treasure and the only one of its design in the Midwest. The Granger house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and embodies the lifestyle of a middle-class family living in the late 19th century. The museum has guided tours, demonstrations, and seasonal activities bringing the town's history to life.

The Marion Heritage Center is a church building used originally by the Methodists from the 1850s until 1875. Currently it serves as a community center for educational programs. The history of Marion and its citizens are on display, including art exhibits. Lectures, workshops and other cultural events are scheduled to provide insights into the town's past. In 2008 the center became the permanent home for the fresco mural Communication by Mail painting, by the artist Dan Rhodes in 1939 The building is open all year.

Festivals
The Marion Arts Festival is an one-day event showcasing 50 artists from across the country. Continuous live music and specialty food vendors are also featured. There is a 5K run with prizes awarded for the top 4 winners and for the top 3 placers in 15 different age categories, thanks to generous race sponsors. In a less competitive event there is the 5K Fun walk. The race uses "chip time technology" allowing every participant to know their exact time to complete the race.

The Swamp Fox Festival and Parade is a celebration of the past and the present, the annual Swamp Fox Festival honors Marion's namesake and Revolutionary War hero, Francis Marion, aka the Swamp Fox. Some of the many scheduled events include a golf outing, picnic in the park, live music, craft show, 5K run and fun walk, a pancake breakfast and a community parade.

The Uptown Marion Market features fresh produce, baked goods, honey, flowers, plants, meat, wines, and an array of artisan items. In addition, food vendors onsite offer a variety of take-and-eat items. The market also features live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, children's entertainment, and healthy living programming for all ages.

Sports
Hunters Ridge Golf Course and Country Club is an public golf course featuring bentgrass from tee to green, four sets of tees, 50 bunkers, and 10 water hazards. Hunters Ridge is spread over 400 acres. The front nine winds through a development while holes 10-18 are narrow with many ponds and wetlands entering the field of play.

Indian Creek Golf and Country Club The 9-hole private course and Country Club facility in Marion, Iowa opened in 1926 features 2,680 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 34. The course rating is 35.2 and it has a slope rating of 114 on Rye grass.

Squaw Creek Golf Course is a public course constructed in 1968 and designed by Herman Thompson. Greens are Bent Grass and Fariways are Bluegrass. The course is owned and maintained by Linn County.

Education
Marion is served by two public school districts, the two districts have discussed merging on a number of occasions, dating back to the 1950s. Such a consolidation seems unlikely now, given the size of each school, tradition and Linn-Mar's student population from Cedar Rapids.
 * Public Education Facilities

Marion Independent School District encompasses much of the south and east sides of Marion. Linn-Mar Community School District includes land primarily on Marion's north, west, and far east sides and areas of Cedar Rapids. Linn-Mar is one of the fastest growing school systems in the state of Iowa. St. Joseph School is a prekindergarten through 8th Grade school founded in 1947. It is a Co-ed school with approximately students enrolled. Grace Baptist School is a K-12 co-ed school with students enrolled. Kirkwood Community College has a satellite campus in Marion.
 * Private Education Facilities
 * College Educational Facilities

Being part of the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area Marion citizens have access to all of the advanced education opportunities that are available in the area. See the Cedar Rapids Education section for more details.

Print
The Gazette is the primary daily newspaper for the Cedar Rapids / Marion metro area.

The Marion Times is weekly newspaper primarily covering Marion Community and School news.

Notable people

 * Carey Bender (1972– ) NFL running back
 * Swati Dandekar, Iowa State Senator District 18
 * George Greene, Iowa Supreme Court Justice
 * Ben F. Jensen (1892–1970) U.S. Representative for the former Iowa's 7th congressional district
 * Christian Joy, fashion Designer
 * Frank Lanning, actor
 * Ron Livingston, actor in shows such as Sex and the City, Defying Gravity, and Standoff.
 * Thomas J. McKean, general in the Union Army during the Civil War
 * Lee Moorhouse, photographer
 * Christopher Reed, former Republican candidate for US Senate
 * Cherry Sisters, Group of Sisters who formed a vaudeville touring act in the late 19th Century
 * Hartzell Spence, writer
 * Dale O. Thomas, wrestling coach at Oregon State and member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame