Overview

Introduction to Ocala, Florida

Ocala is located in Marion County. The city is well known for its hundreds of thoroughbred horse farms. Ocala and Marion County are known as the "horse capital of the world." The horse farms are situated in attractive rolling green pastures. The area also features numerous rivers and lakes. Ocala National Forest and the well known Silver Springs are nearby.

History

The city of Ocala was founded in 1846 close to Fort King. Ocala is derived from the Timucua word "Ocali" which translates to "Big Hammock." In 1881 the railroad arrived in the town and stimulated the economy. About two years later a vast majority of the downtown area was decimated by a fire. The destruction motivated the citizens to rebuild the city with brick, steel and granite. Ocala became known as "The Brick City." The town was a prominent citrus growing area, until the "Big Freeze" occurred in 1894-1895. During the 20th Century Ocala became increasingly popular as a tourist destination.

Transportation

The city is served by the Ocala International Airport. Ocala Suntan offers bus transportation.

Historic Buildings

  • Coca Cola Building.
  • Marion Hotel.
  • Union Train Station.
  • Mount Zion A.M.E. Church.
  • E.C. Smith House.
  • East Hall.
  • Ritz Historic Inn.

Activities

  • Numerous equestrian venues including the Ocala Equestrian Complex which hosts major competitions.
  • Horse riding trails are located in the area.
  • Silver Springs is a nature theme park located nearby and features one of the biggest artesian springs in the world.
  • Fishing in the numerous lakes, rivers and streams.
  • Ocala National Forest features the largest sand pines forest in the world. It also contains natural springs and numerous hiking trails.
  • The Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area features the Lake George Trail.
  • Alexander Springs Recreation Area.
  • Juniper Springs offers swimming opportunities.
  • Wild Waters Water Park.

Attractions

  • Hundreds of thoroughbred horse farms.
  • Crystal River Archaeological State Park is a pre-Colombian Native American site situated near a large coastal marsh area.
  • The Appleton Museum of Art features a variety of art work and is a regional landmark.
  • Brick City Park & Discovery Science Center.
  • Coehadjoe Park.
  • Silver River State Park.
  • The Circle Square Cultural Center features well known entertainers.
  • Don Garlit's Museum of Drag Racing.
  • The prominent Horse Shows in the Sun.

Higher Education

The city is home to Central Florida Community College and Webster College.

Demographics

People

Total Population58,598
Male Share of the Population49.1%
Female Share of the Population50.9%
Senior Citizens18.9%
Employed Population 16+23,121
Age of the Population39

Families

% of people married36%
Average household size3

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher24%
Median Earnings25+$30,850
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$21,343
Median Earnings With High School Degree$25,902

Wealth

Median Family Income$50,429
% Above Poverty Level79.7%
% Below Poverty Level20.3%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time20 minutes
% Working from Home6%
% Walking and Biking to Work2.6%
% Using Public Transportation0.7%

Housing

People Living Alone37.5%
Median Gross Rent$863
Median House Value$128,600

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)32.3%
German9.7%
Irish9.4%
English9%
Italian6.3%
African3.6%
French Except Basque2.5%
Scottish2.3%
Polish1.7%
West Indian1.5%
Swedish1%
Dutch1%
Jamaican1%
Haitian0.6%
Russian0.5%
Canadian0.5%
Greek0.5%
Welsh0.5%
Norwegian0.4%
Arab0.4%
Finnish0.3%
Czech0.3%
Lithuanian0.2%
Syrian0.2%
Hungarian0.2%
Portuguese0.2%
Austrian0.2%
Brazilian0.1%
Trinidad Tobago0.1%
Danishn0.1%
Belgian0.1%
Ethiopian0.1%
Iranian0.1%
Slovak0.1%
Swiss0.1%
Turkish0.1%
Ukrainian0.1%
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Ocala Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyMarion County
Standard Zip Codes34471, 34473, 34474, 34479, 34481, 34470, 34472, 34475, 34476, 34480, 34482
P.O. Box Zip Codes34478, 34477, 34483
Phone Area Codes352
Time ZoneAmerica/New_York
Approximate Latitude29.18
Approximate Longitude-82.13

Ocala Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationOCALA
Distance3.6 miles
Jan Temp46 to 70 F
Apr Temp56 to 83 F
Jul Temp71 to 92 F
Oct Temp61 to 84 F
Annual Precip49.6 inches
StationLISBON
Distance30.9 miles
Jan Temp45 to 68 F
Apr Temp57 to 81 F
Jul Temp71 to 91 F
Oct Temp62 to 83 F
Annual Precip48.6 inches
StationBUSHNELL 2 E
Distance36.2 miles
Jan Temp47 to 71 F
Apr Temp57 to 84 F
Jul Temp71 to 92 F
Oct Temp62 to 85 F
Annual Precip49.2 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Belleview4,844$48,227
Dunnellon2,188$52,647
Lady Lake15,118$53,836
McIntosh376$51,563
Reddick590$28,438
Williston2,683$47,083

Ocala Public Libraries

Marion County Public Library System
2720 EAST SILVER SPRINGS BLVD.
Ocala, Florida
(352) 671-8551

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Ocala Hospitals

West Marion Community Hospital
(Proprietary)
4600 Sw 46th Ct
(352) 291-3000
Kindred Hospital Ocala
(Proprietary)
1500 Sw 1st Ave
(352) 369-0513
Munroe Regional Medical Center
(Government - District/authority)
1500 Sw 1st Ave
(352) 351-7200
Marion-citrus Mental Health Centers
(Proprietary)
5664 Sw 60th Ave
(352) 291-5500
Vines Hospital
(Proprietary)
3130 Sw 27th Ave
(352) 671-3130
Ocala Regional Medical Center
(Proprietary)
1431 Sw 1st Ave
(352) 401-1000

Ocala Public Schools

Fort King Middle School
545 Ne 17th Ave
ZIP: 34470
(352) 671-4725
Middle
Total Enrollment 1061
Oakcrest Elementary School
1112 Ne 28th St
ZIP: 34470
(352) 671-6350
Primary
Total Enrollment 807
Pace Center For Girls, Inc.
1601 Ne 25th Ave Ste 302
ZIP: 34470
(352) 369-0571
Other
Total Enrollment 63
Wyomina Park Elementary School
511 Ne 12th Ave
ZIP: 34470
(352) 671-6370
Primary
Total Enrollment 658
Arc Birth-22
2800 Se Maricamp Rd
ZIP: 34471
(352) 387-2210
Other
Total Enrollment 32
Catapult Academy
907 Sw 3rd St
ZIP: 34471
(352) 690-1610
High
Total Enrollment 160
Community Technical & Adult Education Center
1014 Sw 7th Rd
ZIP: 34471
(352) 671-7200
High
Total Enrollment 21
Dr N H Jones Elementary School
1900 Sw 5th St
ZIP: 34471
(352) 671-7260
Primary
Total Enrollment 652
Eighth Street Elementary School
513 Se 8th St
ZIP: 34471
(352) 671-7125
Primary
Total Enrollment 344
Hillcrest
3143 Se 17th St
ZIP: 34471
(352) 671-6800
Other
Total Enrollment 184
Maplewood Elementary School
4751 Se 24th St
ZIP: 34471
(352) 671-6820
Primary
Total Enrollment 709
Marion Elearning
1614 Se Ft King St Bldg 3, Bldg 3
ZIP: 34471
(352) 236-0570
Primary
Total Enrollment 30
Marion Technical Institute
1614 Se Ft. King Street
ZIP: 34471
(352) 671-4765
High
Total Enrollment 3
Marion Virtual Franchise
1517 Se 30th Ave Ste 6
ZIP: 34471
(352) 671-6892
Other
Total Enrollment 71
Marion Virtual Instruction Program
1517 Se 30th Ave Ste 3
ZIP: 34471
(352) 671-6848
Other
Osceola Middle School
526 Se Tuscawilla Ave
ZIP: 34471
(352) 671-7100
Middle
Total Enrollment 913
Prek Speech And Language Student Services
1517 Se 30th Ave Ste 6
ZIP: 34471
(352) 671-6832
Primary
Total Enrollment 55
Shady Hill Elementary School
5959 S Magnolia Ave
ZIP: 34471
(352) 291-4085
Primary
Total Enrollment 645
Silver River Mentoring And Instruction
2500 Se 44th Ct
ZIP: 34471
(352) 694-0191
Other
Total Enrollment 181
South Ocala Elementary School
1430 Se 24th Rd
ZIP: 34471
(352) 671-4750
Primary
Total Enrollment 685
Student Services/ese
1517 Se 30th Ave Ste 6
ZIP: 34471
(352) 671-6868
Other
Total Enrollment 26
Ward-highlands Elementary School
537 Se 36th Ave
ZIP: 34471
(352) 671-6810
Primary
Total Enrollment 812
Emerald Shores Elementary School
404 Emerald Rd
ZIP: 34472
(352) 671-4800
Primary
Total Enrollment 658
Greenway Elementary School
207 Midway Rd
ZIP: 34472
(352) 671-4845
Primary
Total Enrollment 723
Kingsbury Academy
5895 Se 83rd St
ZIP: 34472
(352) 245-6784
Other
Total Enrollment 146
Lake Weir High School
10351 Se Maricamp Rd
ZIP: 34472
(352) 671-4820
High
Total Enrollment 1668
Marion Charter School
39 Cedar Rd
ZIP: 34472
(352) 687-2100
Primary
Total Enrollment 191
Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks
365 Marion Oaks Dr
ZIP: 34473
(352) 671-6290
Middle
Total Enrollment 766
Marion Oaks Elementary School
280 Marion Oaks Trl
ZIP: 34473
(352) 291-7975
Primary
Total Enrollment 838
Sunrise Elementary School
375 Marion Oaks Crse
ZIP: 34473
(352) 671-6200
Primary
Total Enrollment 810
College Park Elementary School
1330 Sw 33rd Ave
ZIP: 34474
(352) 291-4040
Primary
Total Enrollment 764
Francis Marion Charter School
3443 Sw 20th St
ZIP: 34474
(352) 817-0843
Middle
Total Enrollment 84
Francis Marion Military Academy
3443 Sw 20th St
ZIP: 34474
(352) 291-6600
High
Total Enrollment 111
Saddlewood Elementary School
3700 Sw 43rd Ct
ZIP: 34474
(352) 291-4075
Primary
Total Enrollment 900
Evergreen Elementary School
4000 Ne W Anthony Rd
ZIP: 34475
(352) 671-4925
Primary
Total Enrollment 549
Howard Middle School
1655 Nw 10th St
ZIP: 34475
(352) 671-7225
Middle
Total Enrollment 1226
Madison Street Academy Of Visual And Performing Arts
401 Nw Mlk Jr A E
ZIP: 34475
(352) 671-7250
Primary
Total Enrollment 401
Marion Reg. Juvenile Detention Center
3040 Nw 10th St
ZIP: 34475
(352) 732-1450
Other
Total Enrollment 29
Mcso Adults
700 Nw 30th Ave
ZIP: 34475
(352) 732-1450
High
Total Enrollment 10
Mcso Juveniles
700 Nw 30th Ave
ZIP: 34475
(352) 732-1450
Other
Total Enrollment 23
Vanguard High School
7 Nw 28th St
ZIP: 34475
(352) 671-4900
High
Total Enrollment 1720
Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary School
4397 Sw 95th St
ZIP: 34476
(352) 291-7900
Primary
Total Enrollment 746
Liberty Middle School
4773 Sw 95th St
ZIP: 34476
(352) 291-7930
Middle
Total Enrollment 1109
Ocala Springs Elementary School
5757 Ne 40th Avenue Rd
ZIP: 34479
(352) 671-6360
Primary
Total Enrollment 653
Forest High School
5000 Se Maricamp Rd
ZIP: 34480
(352) 671-4700
High
Total Enrollment 2107
Legacy Elementary School
8496 Juniper Rd
ZIP: 34480
(352) 671-0800
Primary
Total Enrollment 622
West Port High School
3733 Sw 80th Ave
ZIP: 34481
(352) 291-4000
High
Total Enrollment 2611
Fessenden Elementary School
4200 Nw 89th Pl
ZIP: 34482
(352) 671-4935
Primary
Total Enrollment 499

Ocala Private Schools

Crossroads Academy
3681 Ne 7th St
ZIP: 34470
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 75
First Assembly Christian School & Daycare
1827 Ne 14th St
ZIP: 34470
Elementary
Total Enrollment 146
Montessori Preparatory School Of Ocala
2967 E Silver Springs Blvd
ZIP: 34470
Elementary
Total Enrollment 42
Ambleside School Of Ocala
507 Se Broadway St
ZIP: 34471
Elementary
Total Enrollment 66
Blessed Trinity School
5 Se 17th St
ZIP: 34471
Elementary
Total Enrollment 690
Children's Palace East & Academy
3602 Se 7th St
ZIP: 34471
Elementary
Total Enrollment 14
Ocala Christian Academy
1714 Se 36th Ave
ZIP: 34471
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 346
Shiloh Sda Church School
500 Sw 17th Ave
ZIP: 34471
Elementary
Total Enrollment 70
St John Lutheran School
1915 Se Lake Weir Ave
ZIP: 34471
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 349
The Cornerstone School
2313 Se Lake Weir Ave
ZIP: 34471
Elementary
Total Enrollment 146
The Reading Clinic
1333 Se 17th St
ZIP: 34471
Elementary
Total Enrollment 14
Trinity Catholic High School
2600 Sw 42nd St
ZIP: 34471
Secondary
Total Enrollment 517
Kingsbury Academy
5895 Se 83rd St
ZIP: 34472
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 200
Hale Academy
3443 Sw 20th St
ZIP: 34474
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 69
Kingdom Christian Acad/precious Children Preschool
907 & 921 Sw 3rd Street
ZIP: 34474
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 58
Meadowbrook Academy
4741 Sw 20th St Bldg 1
ZIP: 34474
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 275
Redeemer Christian School
155 Sw 87th Pl
ZIP: 34476
Elementary
Total Enrollment 172
New Horizon Academy
1100 Ne 31st St
ZIP: 34479
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 8
Grace Building Blocks School
2255 Se 38th St
ZIP: 34480
Elementary
Total Enrollment 24
Grace School
4410 Se 3rd Ave
ZIP: 34480
Elementary
Total Enrollment 173
Sources :
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