Living in Marathon, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Marathon · Census data 2020–2024
Marathon has 234 residents with a median age of 53.5. The median household income is $39,375 (48% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $46,900, the median rent is $775/month.
Marathon is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Marathon at a glance
- Population
- 234
- Median age
- 53.5State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $39,375State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $46,900State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $775/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 89.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11.8%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Marathon a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 77% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 48% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 15%; a poverty rate of 25.2%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Marathon
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Marathon the median home value is $46,900, 86% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $775 per month, which is 37.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $856 a month in housing costs.
Marathon median household income
The median household income in Marathon is $39,375 and the income per person is $24,683. 25.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Marathon: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 135
- Owner-occupied
- 89.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 10.6%
- Vacant
- 16.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.07
Marathon demographics
- Population
- 234
- Median age
- 53.5
- Under 18
- 17.9%
- 65 and older
- 26.9%
- Households
- 113
- Foreign-born
- 0.9%
- Veterans
- 7.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Marathon ›
Education in Marathon
11.8% of adults 25 and older in Marathon have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 4.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Marathon
- Unemployment rate
- 15%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 1.8%
- Drive alone
- 72.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 3.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 80.5%
Marathon vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | 234 | $39,375 | $46,900 | $775 |
| Albert City | 722 | $80,972 | $96,500 | $784 |
| Webb | 102 | $55,000 | $65,700 | $681 |
| Laurens | 1,206 | $48,988 | $60,300 | $805 |
| Sioux Rapids | 722 | $60,000 | $88,700 | $637 |
| Rembrandt | 157 | $58,438 | $85,800 | $675 |
| Linn Grove | 215 | $62,250 | $93,300 | — |
| Truesdale | 187 | $100,076 | $35,800 | $1,102 |
| Havelock | 162 | $63,229 | $23,800 | $625 |
More for people moving to Marathon
Marathon ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Marathon: FAQ
What is the median household income in Marathon, IA?
The median household income in Marathon is $39,375, 48% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Marathon?
The median home value in Marathon is $46,900, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Marathon?
The median gross rent in Marathon is $775 per month, about 37.5% of household income.
Is Marathon, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 77% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 48% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 15%; a poverty rate of 25.2%.
What is the median age in Marathon?
The median age in Marathon is 53.5 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Marathon?
The average commute to work in Marathon is 27 minutes; 1.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Marathon?
The unemployment rate in Marathon is 15% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Marathon?
11.8% of adults in Marathon have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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