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Marion, Illinois

20 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1925 and the latest in 1996. It stands in West Marion precinct. It lies in ZIP code area 62959. The Survey maps it on the Marion quadrangle. 16,855 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 518 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Marion within Williamson County

On record in Marion

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 5 records

Population over time

2 figures

Marion fell from 17,193 to 16,855 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
201017,193
202016,855-338 (-2%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

12 surveys from 20 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Fires near this place

24 since 1994

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 24 fires within 5 miles of Marion between 1994 and 2014, burning about 158 acres in total. 2 started naturally. 1 was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined17
Natural2
Debris and open burning2
Equipment and vehicle use1
Recreation and ceremony1
Arson/incendiarism1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
21 September 2010Missing data/not specified/undetermined60 acresIllinois Division of Forestry Resources10206
7 August 2014Naturalunder an acreCrab Orchard National Wildlife RefugeLIGHTNING SNAG 148
11 August 2010Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreIllinois Division of Forestry Resources10171
11 August 1994Equipment and vehicle useunder an acreCrab Orchard National Wildlife RefugeAREA6
14 June 2013Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresIllinois Division of Forestry Resources13107
14 June 2011Naturalunder an acreCrab Orchard National Wildlife RefugeAREA 6
4 April 2011Missing data/not specified/undetermined3.0 acresCrab Orchard National Wildlife RefugeEMA
22 April 2010Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresIllinois Division of Forestry Resources10096

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Williamson County

Mines and quarries near this place

1 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 1 working within 5 miles of Marion: 1 past producer. None of them still produces. What was taken out: Stone, Crushed/Broken. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Williamson Co. Hwy. Dept.Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer

Every working recorded in Williamson County

Storms near this place

60 of 98 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Marion in 98 storm reports between 1993 and 2025: 35 hail, 32 thunderstorm wind, 14 flash flood, 8 heavy rain. The reports record 1 death. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
August 2000FloodMarion1 killedVery heavy rain from a slow-moving thunderstorm caused streets to flood and ditches to run full. A 9-year-old boy attempting to retrieve an object from a culvert was swept into it by rushing water. He later died at a hospital in St. Louis.
May 2002HailMarion$2,000,000no account filed
May 1996Flash FloodMarion$1,000,000no account filed
April 1996Flash FloodMarion$500,000no account filed
July 2023Thunderstorm WindMarion$125,000Several miles east-southeast of Marion, six homes were damaged, power poles were snapped, and large tree branches were snapped. Around 600 utility customers were without power. A trained spotter three miles south of Marion estimated the wind gusted to 70 mph.
August 2022Flash FloodMarion$100,000There were numerous reports of street flooding in Marion. Significant street flooding occurred across the city of Johnston City, where over four inches of rain fell from midnight to late morning. Poor Farm Road was washed out north of Johnston City, leaving a trench large enough to swallow a car. On the north side of Marion, fire and rescue crews assisted residents of a flooded trailer park. The park was entirely flooded, and some residents were advised to remain indoors. Main Street on the east side of the Marion square was nearly impassable. A Marion day care center was evacuated due to flooding. Several inches of water were in the classrooms and hallway. A Cocorahs observer at Marion measured 5.63 inches in a 48-hour period.
January 2000Thunderstorm WindMarion$100,000A thunderstorm microburst caused extensive damage to a machinery company in Marion. A wind gust estimated near 100 MPH damaged roof sections of two buildings. A survey by National Weather Service personnel indicated the damage path was only about 150 feet long. One employee sustained minor back injuries. The main damage area was in the middle of the roof of a warehouse building. A smaller building adjacent to the warehouse had roofing peeled off. The damage area on the roof of the smaller building was roughly 16 by 20 feet and consisted of roofing and steel I beams. The damage to the roof of the larger building was about 30 by 50 feet in area.
June 1998Tornado (F1)Marion$100,000The tornado touched down half a mile east of Illinois Route 37 in the community of Hudgens and moved east-southeast for 2 miles. Damage occurred at several residences in Hudgens. At the first residence, several trees were uprooted, a couple of which were 50 feet tall. Siding on a barn was damaged by flying debris. At a second residence, decking was ripped off a porch, and shingles were blown off. Several large trees were snapped, and a dog house was blown about 40 feet. At a third residence, a barn was demolished with debris scattered in all directions. A vehicle was damaged by flying lawn furniture. At a fourth residence, the fascia on the west eave of the house was found about 300 feet northwest of the house wrapped around a tree trunk. At the fifth residence in Hudgens, a huge oak tree fell on top of a camper, and two other large oak trees were snapped. The only other damage, which occurred at a residence near the end of the track, was significant. A tree caused major roof damage to the house, and a nearby barn lost siding and roofing. Loose objects such as trash cans, lawn chairs, and child's toys were found up to a quarter mile away. Witnesses reported seeing rotating clouds about the time the damage occurred. Peak wind speeds were estimated between 90 and 100 MPH.
September 2012Thunderstorm WindMarion$80,000On the east edge of Marion near the fairgrounds, a roof was blown off a plumbing business. Metal roof debris was entangled in power lines. The plumbing business was in a large metal shed-type structure. Trees were blown down on a street on the south end of town. Numerous power outages were reported. Portable stop signs were placed at intersections where traffic lights were not functioning. A power pole fell on a car on Old Route 13. About 3,500 utility customers were without power at the peak of the storm.
June 2011LightningMarion$50,000In Marion, a lightning strike shattered an antenna into three pieces. The antenna was located on top of a tower at the sheriff's department. The sheriff office's 911 telephone capability and radio system were both damaged.
May 1999Thunderstorm WindMarion$35,000Numerous tree limbs and a few large trees were blown down. One large tree fell on a house. Streets and roads were blocked by fallen trees, mainly in the southern and eastern portions of the city. Several thousand utility customers were without power for 24 hours or more.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindMarion$30,000Power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds in Marion and around the county.
July 2022Thunderstorm WindMarion$30,000Several miles southeast of Marion, trees and large limbs were down. There was shingle damage to a house. Several trees were snapped. A greenhouse was flipped and rolled. The hvac unit of a house was moved off its concrete pad a few feet.
October 2007Thunderstorm WindMarion$25,000Downed trees were reported in Johnston City. Winds were measured at 62 mph. In Marion, a storm chaser reported limbs down due to estimated wind gusts around 60 mph.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindMarion$25,000Numerous large trees were blown down along Illinois Route 37. A metal roof was completely torn off an antique shop. A retired airline pilot estimated gusts were up to 70 MPH.
May 2015Thunderstorm WindMarion$20,000Several trees and cable television lines were down near Route 37. A very large tree limb landed on a house.
April 2023Thunderstorm WindMarion$15,000Several trees were damaged. A section of roof was torn off a large pole barn.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindMarion$15,000A tree fell down onto a home. Tree limbs were blown down throughout the county.
July 2017Thunderstorm WindMarion$15,000Widespread tree damage was reported across the north side of the city of Marion. Multiple large trees were blown down. A few corn fields north of town were flattened.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindMarion$10,000Multiple vinyl fences blown over at the corner of Cardinal Dr and Mulligan Dr. Pieces of vinyl embedded in neighbor's siding.
July 2009Thunderstorm WindMarion$10,000Trees were blown down on the Veterans Administration Hospital campus and elsewhere in the city.
April 2017Thunderstorm WindMarion$8,000Several trees were blown down, and a few shingles were off of homes.
December 2015Thunderstorm WindMarion$7,000Several trees were blown down in the Marion area. One tree was blocking a portion of southbound Interstate 57. A couple of others were southeast of Marion in the New Denison area.
June 1999Thunderstorm WindMarion$7,000The roof of a shed was blown off along Old Route 13.
May 2015Thunderstorm WindMarion$6,000Trees were blown down onto power lines.
March 2021Flash FloodMarion$5,000A broadcast tv meteorologist reported a vehicle stalled in high water on city streets in Marion. Street flooding was reported across the south part of Marion.
July 2012Thunderstorm WindMarion$5,000Power lines were blown down.
July 1997Thunderstorm WindMarion$5,000Lots of power lines were down. High winds collapsed part of a wall on a building.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindMarion$3,000Some tree damage was visible from Interstate 57 as far south as Marion. Downed trees and lines caused power outages in Marion and Carterville.
October 2001Thunderstorm WindMarion$3,000Along the Jackson County border, several power poles and trees were blown down. The strong winds were caused by showers or thunderstorms enhancing gradient winds of around 30 mph.
July 1996Thunderstorm WindMarion$2,000no account filed
May 2019Thunderstorm WindMarion$1,000Large maple tree limbs were blown down on the north side of Marion.
March 2004Thunderstorm WindMarion$1,000no account filed
May 2025HailMarion-Hail measured to nickel size occurred on the south side of Marion as a supercell storm tracked eastward.
May 2024HailMarion-A WSIL meteorologist reported lots of hail with some stones up to penny size in Marion with a thunderstorm moving eastward across the county.
February 2022Flash FloodMarion-A vehicle nearly stalled out on a flooded section of road a few miles south of Herrin. Near Energy, several locations were under water on secondary roads.
March 2020HailMarion-Numerous reports were received of half-dollar size hail in Marion.
July 2020Flash FloodMarion-Multiple roads were closed in Marion.
June 2019Flash FloodMarion-Significant creek flooding was reported near Crab Orchard Lake after 2.22 inches of rain fell in two hours. Reports of possible road closures were received along portions of Route 13.
February 2018Flash FloodMarion-Numerous roads were flooded around Marion. Several roads in the southern portion of the county were quickly becoming impassable.
March 2017HailMarion-Dime-size hail was reported at three locations from Marion southward and southeast toward the Johnson County line.
November 2017FloodMarion-Several streets were covered by one to two inches of water. A few creeks were approaching bankful.
March 2015Heavy RainMarion-Street flooding occurred in Herrin. A trained spotter near the Johnson County line measured 2.50 inches of rain through about midnight, with rain still falling.
May 2014HailMarion-Dime-size hail fell on the southeast side of Marion.
December 2013Flash FloodMarion-Water was running over several Marion city roads. There was standing water in several parking lots. Numerous roads were flooded outside the city of Marion, including Highway 149 near Hurst.
March 2012HailMarion-Several reports of dime to penny size hail were relayed by local media and a trained spotter.
April 2011HailMarion-Quarter size hail fell near Johnson City.
May 2010Heavy RainMarion-One and one-half feet of water covered Highway 37 in Marion.
July 2010Heavy RainMarion-A thunderstorm dumped heavy rain that left standing water in several areas of Marion. There was minor street flooding.
April 2009Heavy RainMarion-Water was over roads in Marion. Water was over a road in several places near Corinth.
May 2009Heavy RainMarion-Ponding of water occurred throughout Marion. Visibility was down to one block at times in heavy rain.
January 2008HailMarion-Nickel size hail was reported on the south side of Marion.
June 2007Heavy RainMarion-Typical minor street flooding was reported after 0.51 inch of rain fell in 24 minutes.
March 2006HailMarion-Multiple reports of hail ranging from dime to half-dollar size in and near Marion.
March 2006Flash FloodMarion-Numerous creeks were out of their banks. Portions of Highway 13 were closed and impassable. Sections of Highway 37 were under water. Numerous secondary roads were covered by standing water.
July 2006Heavy RainMarion-Some street flooding occurred in Marion as a result of thunderstorms with heavy rain. Water was up to the axles of some cars on Route 37.
October 2004Heavy RainMarion-A few inches of water covered a road in front of the Wal-Mart store.
May 2001Thunderstorm WindMarion-A few trees were blown down across southern and eastern parts of the county.
July 2001Thunderstorm WindMarion-Four trees were down over western parts of the county.
May 2000FloodMarion-A cluster of thunderstorms produced very heavy rainfall. A spotter measured 1 inch of rain in 30 minutes.

Every storm recorded in Williamson County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Dog Walk2.0 miles18
Timmons2.1 miles20
Spillertown2.6 miles18
Bainbridge3.2 miles20
Crenshaw Crossing3.9 miles18
White Ash4.1 miles18
Fergestown4.6 miles18
Chamness (historical)4.7 miles20

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on MarionAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q575399The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 413005. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.