The city of Marion is situated in beautiful southern Illinois – a business-friendly area featuring world-class outdoor activities, cultural amenities, unique shopping, workforce opportunities and renowned educational facilities. Marion provides its residents with a hometown feel while ensuring steady growth and economic development. Marion is an affordable, convenient and friendly place to live.
Established in Williamson County in 1841, Marion has transformed into a community of nearly 20,000 residents. Nicknamed “The Hub of the Universe,” Marion has become a magnet for industry, shopping and restaurants. With a historic downtown area offering unique shops, arts and entertainment and a historic library, Marion has successfully blended the old and the new.
As the city has grown, careful planning has led to the creation of enterprise zones, industrial parks, TIF districts and future development areas on the Hill.
Marion’s location at the crossing of Interstate 57 and Route 13 make it an ideal spot for restaurants and shops. In 2006, Walmart opened one of its largest retail stores in the nation in Marion. The development of The Hill in the 2010s launched a rapidly growing, 175-acre commercial business area hosting restaurants, hotels and business headquarters, including Black Diamond Harley Davidson, Culvers and Gander RV & Outdoors. Future development is scheduled in the Hill area to serve our residents and thousands of interstate visitors. Additional development is scheduled along Route 13 with the completion of infrastructure improvements to handle the 35,000+ commuters along this major regional corridor.
Abundant attractions offer visitors and residents a wide variety of cultural, outdoor and sporting activities. The Links at Kokopelli Golf Club is an 18-hole course providing a quality golf experience along with dining and banquet facilities. Rent One Park, built in 2007, is home to a minor league baseball team, the Southern Illinois Miners, which is a member of the Frontier League. Recently they welcomed the Canadian Wild to share their facility as they train for the upcoming Olympic Games. The park is known for providing an outstanding baseball experience, including fireworks after every Friday night home game, and concerts through the summer.
The Marion Cultural and Civic Center, located on the square in downtown Marion, is a state-of-the-art theater facility constructed in 2004. The theater comfortably seats 1,065 and features some of the best theatrical and concert performers in the region. With all of these attractions to explore, staying for a night or two will be no problem with over 1,200 hotel rooms to choose from in Marion.
If you prefer the outdoors, Marion has seven city parks which include an inclusive playground, dog park, pickleball courts and a public swimming pool facility. Jump in your car and take a short drive to any of the State and National parks in the region that feature hiking, camping, boating and more.
Don’t forget that Marion is the gateway to a host of wineries and vineyards in southern Illinois. The Shawnee Hills region became the State’s first recognized American Viticultural Area for it’s distinctive wine making properties. Spend a day traveling throughout the area and experience this wonderful authentic wine culture.
Marion is filled with opportunities for residents and visitors. The unique assets of the city showcase a quality of life unmatched in the region. With a fine selection of homes, excellent schools and state-of-the-art health care, there’s no wonder residents and visitors alike call Marion home.