Population
- Marion County – 378,613
- Ocala – 61,810
- Belleview – 5,281
- Dunnellon – 1,878
- McIntosh – 514
- Reddick – 573
Transportation
Location: North Central Florida – No more than a 90-minute drive to either the Gulf or Atlantic coasts or to the Orlando attractions
Highways: Interstate 75, U.S. 441, 301 and 27
Rail (freight): CSX, Florida Northern
Air: Local – Charter and cargo service available at Ocala International Airport. Commercial passenger service is available within 100 miles at six airports, including the Orlando and Tampa International airports.
Geographical Territory
- 1,652 square miles—fourth largest county in Florida
- 1/3 of the County is the Ocala National Forest
Local Attractions
Appleton Museum
Opened in 1987, the Appleton is located in Central Florida and is home to an extraordinary permanent collection of over…
Downtown Ocala and Historic District
Downtown Ocala has a rich history full of stories. You can take a self-guided mobile walking tour through the Downtown,…
Ocala National Forest
Nestled between well-known theme parks and white, sandy beaches, the jewels of the Ocala National Forest attract visitors from around…
Rainbow Springs State Park
The history of Rainbow Springs dates back centuries to a time when native peoples regularly visited this lush spring. Although…
Silver Springs
For millennia, humans have been captivated by the stunning beauty and crystal clear waters of one of America’s largest springs.…
Education
K-12: Marion County Public School System & various private schools
Undergraduate & Graduate Degrees:
- College of Central Florida (CF)
- Rasmussen College
- Saint Leo University – Ocala Center
- Taylor College and Webster University
Additionally, several state research universities are within a short drive from Ocala and Marion County:
- University of Florida
- 40 miles-Gainesville, University of Central Florida is 90 miles-Orlando
- University of South Florida
- (92 miles-Tampa)
Cost of Living
- State Weighted Average = 100
- Marion County: 87.1 (36th of 67 Counties)
- Composite Index (100%): 99.8
- Grocery Items (13%): 98
- Health Care (4%): 93.9
- Housing (29%): 67.9
- Utilities (10%): 106.1
- Transportation (12%): 90.2
- Miscellaneous Goods and Services (32%): 96.1
Source: 2019 Florida Statistical Abstract
