Marion, NC Eviction Risk Score McDowell County · North Carolina · Pop. 7,579
Marion, NC sits at 5.3/10 — Moderate risk. 27.6% rent burden, 48.7% renters, ~44-day typical timeline.
Location & regional heat
Sub-score breakdown
Each component on a 1–10 scale. Ticks mark the 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles nationally.
About eviction risk in Marion, NC
Marion, NC has an eviction risk score of 5.3 out of 10, placing it in the moderate-risk tier for landlords operating in McDowell County and the state of North Carolina. The score combines local political climate, court disposition patterns, cost-of-eviction estimates, tenant organizing strength, and the likelihood of new tenant-protective legislation in the next legislative cycle.
Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates show median gross rent as a percentage of household income is 27.6% — a core driver of eviction filings, because households above 30% of income on rent are statistically more likely to miss a payment after any income shock. Median gross rent in Marion is $762/month. About 48.7% of occupied units here are renter-occupied.
Economic stress: poverty rate 24.2%, unemployment 8.2%. Higher values correlate with higher eviction filing rates and longer court timelines.
Political climate: In 2020, McDowell County voted Republican by 48.0 points — classified as strongly landlord-leaning for purposes of rent-control or just-cause expansion risk.
What this score means for landlords
At 5.3/10, Marion is an elevated-risk environment. Tenant protections are stronger than the national median. Use proactive screening, document notices in writing, and understand your specific just-cause and rent-cap exposure before raising rent or terminating a tenancy.
Nearby Cities — Eviction Risk Comparison
| City | Distance | Population | Risk score |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Marion, NC | 1.9 mi | 1,066 | 5.3 |
| Glenwood, NC | 4.3 mi | 226 | 3.2 |
| Nebo, NC | 5.6 mi | 1,670 | 4.0 |
| Old Fort, NC | 10.4 mi | 555 | 4.8 |
| Glen Alpine, NC | 12.8 mi | 1,991 | 4.6 |
| Montreat, NC | 16.8 mi | 630 | 5.2 |
| Spruce Pine, NC | 16.9 mi | 2,398 | 4.5 |
| Salem, NC | 17 mi | 2,377 | 4.5 |
Landlord Guides & Research Tools
Deepen your research with these guides. The metrics powering this score feed directly into each breakdown.
- Eviction Process — Step-by-Step Timeline & Notices
- Eviction Costs Breakdown — Filing Fees to Turnover
- Tenant Screening Protocol — NGP 5-Point System
- Rent Control Coverage — AB 1482 & Local RSOs
- California Tenant Protections — Just Cause & Retaliation
- North Carolina Eviction Risk Overview — all counties & cities in North Carolina
- McDowell County — compare every city in the county