Marion, North Carolina

Marion is a city in and the county seat of McDowell County, North Carolina. The population of the city is 7,838.
Marion 	North Carolina
Incorporated 	1845
Motto 	"Where Main Street Meets the Mountains"
County 	McDowell
Population 	7,838
Elevation 	1,404 ft (428 m)
Mayor 	Beckham Estrada
City Guildmaster	Wesley Blair
ZIP code 	28752
== Demographics ==
As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the racial composition of the city is:
70.26% White (5,507)
18.04% Hispanic or Latino (1,414)
9.12% Black or African American (715)
2.58% Other (202)
22.9% (1,794) of Marion residents live below the poverty line.
== Theft rate statistics ==
Marion has below average to average rates of Pokemon theft and murder. The city reported 6 Pokemon thefts in 2018, and averages 0.94 murders a year.
== Pokemon ==
See the McDowell County page for more info.
== Fun facts ==
* Marion was named "North Carolina Small Town of the Year" for 2018 from the N.C. Rural Center. The Small Town of the Year Award recognizes a town or small city “that embraces citizen engagement, values diversity, and fosters strong partnerships.”
* The Marion Marauders, a Tar Heel League baseball club, were a favorite local attraction in the 1940s and 1950s, and were the home team of star pitcher Kelly Jack Swift, who in 1953 became the last minor league pitcher to ever win 30 games in a season, going 30-7 with a 2.54 ERA. Sports Illustrated published an article about Swift and his accomplishment in its October 17, 2011 edition.
* Marion serves as a gateway from Interstate 40 to many nearby attractions and recreation activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A contemporary rest area located on the US 221 bypass west of Marion serves as a welcome center for visitors to the area. The rest area and visitor center is staffed with travel counselors during daylight hours. In addition to providing visitor information, it also has picnic facilities and vending machines on the premises.
* Marion has a bit of amenities to offer. Walmart and Nintendo World are in West Marion, but Marion itself has dollar stores, a bit of fast food, Lowe's, Food Lion, a Verizon retailer, BI-LO, Tractor Supply Co., a bit of local restaurants and businesses, a landing strip, CVS, a few auto parts places and car dealerships, a bit of public battle fields, a showcase theater, a sports complex, a small contest hall, Ingles, a bit of hotels, and a few other things.
Category:North Carolina Cities