Ocala is known as the horse capital of the world. The horse breeding, training and related support provides over 40,000 jobs. Ocala has a manufacturing base which includes the production of emergency vehicles, trucks, vans, missiles and shelving and storage units. Ocala is home to the headquarters of Emergency One a worldwide designer and manufacturer of fire rescue vehicles. In addition, employment levels for manufacturing are double the statewide average.
Peanuts, fruits, vegetables and livestock, especially cattle also contribute to the economy. About 2,000 of the county's residents are employed in the agriculture industry. The tourism industry also provides numerous jobs.
Ocala's major sectors for employment are:
- Thoroughbred industry
- Tourism
- Healthcare
- Education
- Government
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Finance and insurance
Occupations that are more common in Ocala than most other cities include farm workers, farm and ranch animals; animal trainers, nonfarm animal caretakers, pest control workers, medical equipment repairers, veterinary technologists and technicians; veterinarians and personal care and service workers.
The major private sector employers in the Ocala region are:
- Munroe Regional Medical Center
- Walmart
- Publix Supermarkets
- Ocala Regional Medical Center
- AT&T
- Taylor, Bean and Whitacker
- Cheney Brothers Inc
- Swift Transportation Company
- Hospice of Marion County Inc
- Signature Brands LLC
- Custom Window Systems Inc
- Townley Manufacturing Company Inc
- SPX Dehydration and Air Filtration
- On Top of the World Communities Inc
- Elster AMCO Water Inc
- Cingular Wireless
- Kmart Corporation
- Lockheed Martin
- Emergency One Inc
- Class 1
- Closet Maid
- Mark IV Automotive
- Skyline Corporation
The primary government employers are shown below:
- Marion County Public Schools
- State of Florida
- US Government
- Marion County Board of County Commissioners
- City of Ocala
- Marion County Sheriff's Office
- Central Florida Community College
Notable information about Ocala: About 19% of the residents in Ocala hold a bachelor's degree or better. The cost of living in 2008 was 86.4 which is less than the nation's average of 100. In 2007 the estimated median household income was $38,000.
Ocala companies may obtain assistance from business organizations such as:
- Ocala, Marion County Chamber of Commerce
- Marion County Economic Development Corporation
- Florida Economic Development Council Inc
The Ocala Business Journal offers up-to-date information regarding the business activities in Ocala.