The Town FilesMarathon, Michigan
Township in Lapeer County · population 4,467 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $186,300
- Household income
- $65,511
- Jan low / Jul high
- 16° / 82°
- Snow a year
- 49 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 16
- Median age
- 47.3
Marathon is a township of 4,467 people in Lapeer County, Michigan. The median home is worth $186,300, close to the typical Michigan town ($193,900). It ranks easier by car than 72% of Michigan towns, quieter than 71% of Michigan towns, more walkable than 70% of Michigan towns.
How Marathon ranks
Percentile among Michigan towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Michigan towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Marathon is worth $186,300, close to the typical Michigan town ($193,900). Homes cost about 2.8 times the median household income of $65,511, which is more affordable than 55% of Michigan towns. Median rent is $682 a month. 89.6% of households own their home.
| Housing | Marathon | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $186,300 | $193,900 |
| Median rent | $682 | $955 |
| Median household income | $65,511 | $69,792 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.8× | 2.8× |
| Homeownership | 89.6% | 86.8% |
| Median year built | 1976 | 1975 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 1.2% | — |
Who lives in Marathon
| People | Marathon | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.3 | 43.7 |
| Age 65 and over | 22.3% | 20.7% |
| Under 18 | 17.8% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.0% | 21.5% |
| Below the poverty line | 11.3% | 10.4% |
| Veterans | 9.1% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 1.1% | — |
| Work from home | 14.3% | 9.1% |
| Average commute | 37.1 min | 25.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 84.1% | 88.8% |
Weather in Marathon
July highs average 81.9°F and January lows 15.7°F. About 36.1 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 48.5 inches of snow (typical Michigan town: 52.1 in). Expect about 10 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 138 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
16 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Marathon since 1950, compared with 10 for the typical Michigan town. 5 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an F5, struck on June 8, 1953 about 4.7 miles from the town center. The most recent was on March 14, 2019.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 26 times; the largest was 2.25 inches on May 17, 2024.
Severe weather in Lapeer County since 1996
Lapeer County has been included in 11 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, other, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| March 27, 2020 | Biological | DR-4494: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3455: Covid-19 |
| September 7, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3225: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 23, 2003 | Other | EM-3189: Power Outage |
| January 10, 2001 | Snowstorm | EM-3160: Snow |
Jobs and pay in Lapeer County
Lapeer County had 21,986 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $51,778 a year. Unemployment was 4.1% in 2023; in Marathon itself the ACS puts it at 12.2%.
Towns near Marathon
- Deerfield, MI5.5 mi · 5,764 people · home $184,600
- Forest, MI6.6 mi · 4,447 people · home $200,900
- Oregon, MI7.1 mi · 5,712 people · home $236,400
- Millington, MI7.5 mi · 4,246 people · home $174,600
- Mayfield, MI8.2 mi · 7,988 people · home $188,100
- Richfield, MI9.2 mi · 8,991 people · home $219,800
- Lapeer, MI10.8 mi · 9,023 people · home $178,400
- North Branch, MI11.0 mi · 3,571 people · home $227,900
Marathon questions
Is Marathon, Michigan a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Marathon scores better for retirees than 22% of Michigan towns and quieter than 71%. 22.3% of residents are 65 or older (median age 47.3).
How much does a house cost in Marathon?
The median owner-occupied home in Marathon is valued at $186,300 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $65,511, so homes cost about 2.8 times income. Median rent is $682 a month.
What is the weather like in Marathon?
July highs average 81.9°F and January lows 15.7°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 36.1 inches of precipitation a year and 48.5 inches of snow.
Does Marathon get tornadoes?
16 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Marathon since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F5 on June 8, 1953. The typical Michigan town has had 10.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)