Also See Marathon, IA: ZIP Codes & Maps
The City of Marathon had a population of 222 as of July 1, 2025.
The primary coordinate point for Marathon is located at latitude 42.8616 and longitude -94.9825 in Buena Vista County. The formal boundaries for the City of Marathon encompass a land area of 0.75 sq. miles and a water area of 0 sq. miles. Buena Vista County is in the Central time zone (GMT -6).
The City of Marathon has a C1 Census Class Code which indicates an active incorporated place that does not serve as a county subdivision equivalent. It also has a Functional Status Code of "A" which identifies an active government providing primary general-purpose functions.
The City of Marathon is located within Township of Poland, a minor civil division (MCD) of Buena Vista County.
POPULATION | |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 222 (100%) |
| Population in Households | 222 (100.0%) |
| Population in Families | 161 (72.5%) |
| Population in Group Quarters1 | 0 |
| Population Density | 296 |
| Diversity Index2 | 17 |
INCOME | |
| Median Household Income | $85,698 |
| Average Household Income | $120,802 |
| % of Income for Mortgage4 | 12% |
| Per Capita Income | $59,857 |
| Wealth Index5 | 133 |
| Socioeconomic Status Index6 | Moderate (57.4) |
HOUSING | |
|---|---|
| Total HU (Housing Units) | 130 (100%) |
| Owner Occupied HU | 87 (66.9%) |
| Renter Occupied HU | 23 (17.7%) |
| Vacant Housing Units | 20 (15.4%) |
| Median Home Value | $159,722 |
| Average Home Value | $296,149 |
| Housing Affordability Index3 | 173 |
HOUSEHOLDS | |
| Total Households | 110 |
| Average Household Size | 2.02 |
| Family Households | 57 |
| Average Family Size | 3.00 |
GROWTH RATE / YEAR |
2020-2025 | 2025-2030 |
|---|---|---|
| Population | -0.67% | -0.18% |
| Households | -0.51% | -0.37% |
| Families | 3.90% | |
| Median Household Income | 3.77% | |
| Per Capita Income | 4.01% | |
| Owner Occupied HU | 0.68% |
The table below compares Marathon to the other 1,026 incorporated cities, towns and CDPs in Iowa by rank and percentile using July 1, 2025 data. The location Ranked # 1 has the highest value. A location that ranks higher than 75% of its peers would be in the 75th percentile of the peer group.
| Variable Description | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | # 647 | 37th |
| Population Density | # 754 | 27th |
| Median Household Income | # 288 | 72nd |
| Housing Affordability Index | # 909 | 89th |
| Per Capita Income | # 66 | 94th |
| Diversity Index | # 492 | 51st |
Additional comparisons and rankings can be made with a VERY EASY TO USE Iowa Census Data Comparison Tool.
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