Marion, Illinois

Marion, Illinois
Marion clock tower in the town square
Nickname: 
Oasis of Opportunity
Interactive map of Marion, Illinois
Marion
Marion
Coordinates: 37°44′40″N 88°56′34″W / 37.74444°N 88.94278°W / 37.74444; -88.94278
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountiesWilliamson, Johnson
FoundedAugust 21, 1839
Area
 • City
14.62 sq mi (37.86 km2)
 • Land14.40 sq mi (37.30 km2)
 • Water0.22 sq mi (0.56 km2)  1.42%
Elevation
440 ft (130 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City
16,855
 • Density1,170.2/sq mi (451.83/km2)
 • Metro
132,693 (Carbondale-Marion-Herrin IL CSA)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
62959
Area codes618, 730
FIPS17-46916
GNIS feature ID2395010
Websitecityofmarionil.gov
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Marion is the county seat of Williamson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 16,855 according to the 2020 census. It is part of a dispersed urban area that developed out of early 20th-century coal fields.

Marion serves as the largest retail trade center in Southern Illinois with its central location along Interstate 57 and Illinois Route 13. It was dubbed the "Hub of the Universe" by former mayor Robert L. Butler.

The city is part of the Marion-Herrin micropolitan area and is a part of the Carbondale-Marion-Herrin, Illinois combined statistical area with 123,272 residents, the sixth-most populous Combined statistical area in Illinois.