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Marion County, Florida

 

 
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Marion County, Florida
 
 
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Marion County is a county
County

A county is a land area of Local government government within a larger state. A county may have city and towns within its area....
 located in the U.S. state
U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 state of the United States that share sovereignty with the federal government of the United States . Because of this shared sovereignty, an United States is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of Domicile ....
 of Florida
Florida

Florida is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the northeast....
. The U.S. Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau

The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data....
 2006 estimate for the county is 316,183. Its county seat
County seat

A county seat or parish seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there....
 is Ocala, Florida
Ocala, Florida

Ocala is a city in Marion County, Florida, Florida, United States. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 53,491....
.

Marion County is coterminous with the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area
Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area

The Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area is a Metropolitan Statistical Area consisting of Marion County, Florida in the state of Florida in the United States....
.

on County was created in 1844 from portions of Alachua
Alachua County, Florida

Alachua County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The United States Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 227,120. Its county seat is Gainesville, Florida, Florida....
, Mosquito (Orange
Orange County, Florida

Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population was 1,066,113....
), and Hillsborough
Hillsborough County, Florida

Hillsborough County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The 2000 population was 998,948. In 2007, the Hillsborough County Planning Commission conducted a population estimate that put the county's population at 1,204,770....
 counties. Until 1853, Marion County included most of what are now Lake
Lake County, Florida

Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. With a Census-estimated population of 290,435 in 2006, it is the 23rd fastest-growing county in the United States....
 and Sumter
Sumter County, Florida

Sumter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 53,345. The 2006 Census estimate puts its population at 68,768 ....
 counties. The county is named after General Francis Marion
Francis Marion

Francis Marion is considered one of the fathers of modern guerrilla warfare, and is credited in the lineage of the United States Army Rangers....
 of South Carolina
South Carolina

South Carolina is a U.S. state in the Southern United States of the United States. It borders Georgia to the south and North Carolina to the north....
, a guerilla fighter and hero of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War

The American Revolutionary War , also known as the American War of Independence, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and Thirteen Colonies on the North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers....
.






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Encyclopedia


Marion County is a county
County

A county is a land area of Local government government within a larger state. A county may have city and towns within its area....
 located in the U.S. state
U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 state of the United States that share sovereignty with the federal government of the United States . Because of this shared sovereignty, an United States is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of Domicile ....
 of Florida
Florida

Florida is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the northeast....
. The U.S. Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau

The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data....
 2006 estimate for the county is 316,183. Its county seat
County seat

A county seat or parish seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there....
 is Ocala, Florida
Ocala, Florida

Ocala is a city in Marion County, Florida, Florida, United States. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 53,491....
.

Marion County is coterminous with the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area
Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area

The Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area is a Metropolitan Statistical Area consisting of Marion County, Florida in the state of Florida in the United States....
.

History

Marion County was created in 1844 from portions of Alachua
Alachua County, Florida

Alachua County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The United States Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 227,120. Its county seat is Gainesville, Florida, Florida....
, Mosquito (Orange
Orange County, Florida

Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population was 1,066,113....
), and Hillsborough
Hillsborough County, Florida

Hillsborough County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The 2000 population was 998,948. In 2007, the Hillsborough County Planning Commission conducted a population estimate that put the county's population at 1,204,770....
 counties. Until 1853, Marion County included most of what are now Lake
Lake County, Florida

Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. With a Census-estimated population of 290,435 in 2006, it is the 23rd fastest-growing county in the United States....
 and Sumter
Sumter County, Florida

Sumter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 53,345. The 2006 Census estimate puts its population at 68,768 ....
 counties. The county is named after General Francis Marion
Francis Marion

Francis Marion is considered one of the fathers of modern guerrilla warfare, and is credited in the lineage of the United States Army Rangers....
 of South Carolina
South Carolina

South Carolina is a U.S. state in the Southern United States of the United States. It borders Georgia to the south and North Carolina to the north....
, a guerilla fighter and hero of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War

The American Revolutionary War , also known as the American War of Independence, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and Thirteen Colonies on the North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers....
. Many of the early settlers of Marion County were from South Carolina. The county motto is "Kingdom of the Sun." Farms in the county are known for breeding champion race horses such as Affirmed
Affirmed

Affirmed was an United States thoroughbred race horse who was the eleventh winner of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. As of 2008 in sports#Thoroughbred Horse Racing, he was the last horse to do so....
 and Needles
Needles (horse)

Needles was an United States National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Eclipse Award Thoroughbred horse racing. Bred and raced in Florida, the descendant of Blenheim II and a son and grandson of Kentucky Derby winners, Needles was a sickly foal who was given the name because of the numerous veterinary injections he had to be given to overco...
.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau

The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data....
, the county has a total area of 1,663 square mile
Square mile

The square mile is an Imperial system and US customary system of measure for an area equal to the area of a square of one mile. It should not be confused with miles square, which refers to the number of miles on each side squared....
s (4,307 kmē), of which, 1,579 square miles (4,089 kmē) of it is land and 84 square miles (218 kmē) of it (5.06%) is water.

Location and Terrain


Marion County is generally composed of rolling hills, some high and some low. The majority of its trees consist of live oaks, pine, and palm trees. Marion County is considered the southernmost county in North Central Florida
North Central Florida

North Central Florida is a region of the U.S. state of Florida. It comprises the north-central part of the state and encompasses Alachua County, Florida, Bradford County, Florida, Columbia County, Florida, Gilchrist County, Florida, Hamilton County, Florida, Lafayette County, Florida, Madison County, Florida, Marion County, Florida, Putnam C...
, and more rarely the northernmost county in Central Florida
Central Florida

Central Florida is the central region of the United States state of Florida, on the East Coast. The region enjoys a hot but stormy climate, with many thunderstorms, and hurricanes threatening often....
.

It is about a two hour drive from many of Florida's major cities, Orlando
Orlando, Florida

Orlando is a major city in Central Florida, United States and is the county seat of Orange County, Florida, Florida. It is also the principal city of Orlando-Kissimmee, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area....
 is 90 minutes to the southeast while Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, Florida

Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, Florida, United States. According to 2006 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,421....
 is also 90 minutes to the east. Tampa
Tampa, Florida

Tampa is a United States city in Hillsborough County, Florida, on the west coast of the state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County....
 is about 90 minutes to the southwest. Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Duval County, Florida. Since 1968, as a result of the Consolidated city-county of the city and county government , Jacksonville has been the List of United States cities by area city in land area in the continental United States....
 is roughly a two hour drive northeast . Miami
Miami, Florida

Miami is a global city in southeastern Florida, in the United States. Miami is the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, the most populous county in Florida....
 is about five hours to the southeast as is Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale, known as the "Venice of America" due to its expansive and intricate canal system, is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States....
.

Marion County also has three large lakes at its opposite borders. Orange Lake is in the far northern part of Marion County, near the border with Alachua County
Alachua County, Florida

Alachua County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The United States Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 227,120. Its county seat is Gainesville, Florida, Florida....
. Lake Kerr is in the northeastern part of the county, near the town of Salt Springs
Salt Springs

Salt Springs may refer to:*Salt Springs, Nova Scotia, Canada*Salt Springs, Florida, United States...
, which is near the border with Putnam County
Putnam County, Florida

Putnam County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 70,423. The United States Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 73,568 ....
. Lake Weir
Lake Weir

Lake Weir is a freshwater lake located in southern Marion County, Florida.External links...
, the largest of the three, is in the far southern region near the border with Lake County
Lake County, Florida

Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. With a Census-estimated population of 290,435 in 2006, it is the 23rd fastest-growing county in the United States....
. Part of Lake George
Lake George (Florida)

Lake George or Lake Welaka is a broad and shallow lake on the St. Johns River in the United States state of Florida. It is six miles wide and eleven miles long, with an average depth of 8 feet ....
 is in Marion County also.

Marion County is inland, centered between the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions; with a total area of about 106.4 million square kilometres . It covers approximately one-fifth of the Earth's surface....
 to the east and the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world. Considered a smaller part of the Atlantic Ocean, it is an oceanic basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba....
 to the west. Because of this, Marion County is not affected as much by hurricanes as the more coastal counties to its east and west are. However, tornadoes are a major threat to this region of the state. Although Marion County is not near either of Florida's coasts, it is situated slightly to the west. Therefore, it takes an hour to get to the Gulf of Mexico while it takes a half an hour longer to get to the Atlantic Ocean.

Adjacent counties

  • Putnam County, Florida
    Putnam County, Florida

    Putnam County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 70,423. The United States Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 73,568 ....
     - northeast
  • Volusia County, Florida
    Volusia County, Florida

    Volusia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The United States Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 496,575 . Although Daytona Beach, Florida is Volusia County's best-known city, its county seat is DeLand, Florida, and its most populous city is currently Deltona, Florida....
     - east
  • Lake County, Florida
    Lake County, Florida

    Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. With a Census-estimated population of 290,435 in 2006, it is the 23rd fastest-growing county in the United States....
     - southeast
  • Sumter County, Florida
    Sumter County, Florida

    Sumter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 53,345. The 2006 Census estimate puts its population at 68,768 ....
     - south
  • Citrus County, Florida
    Citrus County, Florida

    Citrus County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 118,085. The United States Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county was 138,143 ....
     - southwest
  • Levy County, Florida
    Levy County, Florida

    Levy County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 34,450. The United States Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 37,998....
     - west
  • Alachua County, Florida
    Alachua County, Florida

    Alachua County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The United States Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 227,120. Its county seat is Gainesville, Florida, Florida....
     - northwest


National protected area
Protected area

Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their environmental, cultural or similar value. The term protected area includes marine protected area, which refers to protected areas whose boundaries include some area of ocean....

  • Ocala National Forest
    Ocala National Forest

    The Ocala National Forest is the second largest National Forest in Florida and covers approximately in central Florida. It is located three miles east of Ocala, Florida, southeast of Gainesville, Florida....
     (part)


Demographics

As of the census
Census

A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population....
 of 2000, there were 258,916 people, 106,755 households, and 74,621 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density

Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans....
 was 164 people per square mile (63/kmē). There were 122,663 housing units at an average density of 78 per square mile (30/kmē). The racial makeup of the county was 84.16% White
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 11.55% Black
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
 or African American
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 0.45% Native American
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 0.70% Asian
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 1.69% from other races
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, and 1.44% from two or more races. 6.03% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
 or Latino
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
 of any race.

There were 106,755 households out of which 24.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were married couples
Marriage

Marriage is a social, spirituality, or law union of individuals. This union may also be called matrimony, while the ceremony that marks its beginning is usually called a wedding and the married status created is sometimes called wedlock....
 living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the county the population was spread out with 21.40% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 23.80% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 24.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,944, and the median income for a family was $37,473. Males had a median income of $28,836 versus $21,855 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income

Per capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in the country. This is what each citizen is to receive if the yearly national income is divided equally among everyone....
 for the county was $17,848. About 9.20% of families and 13.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.20% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.

Municipalities


Unincorporated

  • Summerfield
    Summerfield, Florida

    Summerfield is an unincorporated community in Marion County, Florida, Florida, United States. It is located near the intersection of U.S. Route 301 in Florida and County Road 475A ....
  • Fort McCoy
    Fort McCoy, Florida

    Fort McCoy is an unincorporated community in Marion County, Florida, Florida, United States. It is situated northeast of Ocala, Florida and lies between the towns of Sparr, Florida and Eureka on County Road 316 and is directly north of Silver Springs, Florida on County Road 315....
  • Marion Oaks
    Marion Oaks, Florida

    Marion Oaks is an unincorporated community in the outskirts of Ocala and Belleview. It is part of the Ocala Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area....
  • Silver Springs Shores
    Silver Springs Shores, Florida

    Silver Springs Shores is a census-designated place in Marion County, Florida, Florida, United States. The population was 6,690 at the 2000 census....
  • Salt Springs
    Salt Springs, Florida

    Salt Springs is an unincorporated community in Marion County, Florida, Florida, United States. It is located near Lake George . The community is part of the Ocala, Florida Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area....
  • Anthony
    Anthony, Florida

    Anthony is an unincorporated community in Marion County, Florida, Florida, United States. It is located on County Road 200A . The Anthony post office has zip code 32617....


Education


Public School System

  • 28 elementary schools
  • 8 middle schools
  • 1 k-8 center
  • 8 high schools
  • 3 charter schools
  • 14 special needs schools


Elementary Schools

  • Anthony Elementary School
  • Belleview Elementary School
  • Belleview-Santos Elementary School
  • College Park Elementary School
  • Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary (Magnet)
  • Dunnellon Elementary School
  • East Marion Elementary School
  • Eighth Street Elementary School
    Eighth Street Elementary School

    Eighth Street Elementary School is an elementary school in Ocala, Florida. The school is located at the corner of Eighth Street and Tuscawilla Avenue in Southeast Ocala, near the residential Ocala Historic District....
  • Emerald Shores Elementary School
  • Evergreen Elementary School
  • Fessenden Elementary School
  • Fort McCoy School (K-8)
  • Greenway Elementary School
  • Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary School
  • Harbour View Elementary School
  • Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (Magnet)
  • Maplewood Elementary School
  • Oakcrest Elementary School
  • Ocala Springs Elementary School
  • Reddick-Collier Elementary School
  • Romeo Elementary School
  • Saddlewood Elementary School
  • Shady Hill Elementary School
  • South Ocala Elementary School
  • Sparr Elementary School
  • Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary School
  • Sunrise Elementary School
  • Ward-Highlands Elementary School
  • Wyomina Park Elementary School


Middle Schools

  • Belleview Middle School
  • Dunnellon Middle School
  • Fort King Middle School
  • Howard Middle School
  • Lake Weir Middle School
  • Liberty Middle School
  • North Marion Middle School
  • Osceola Middle School
    Osceola Middle School

    Osceola Middle School is a middle school in Ocala, Florida. This school was named after a native american leader, Osceola.. The school first opened on September 21, 1925 as the new Ocala High School....


High Schools

  • Vanguard High School
    Vanguard High School

    Vanguard High School is one of eight High Schools in Marion County, Florida, Florida. The school serves the northeast area of Ocala, Florida. Vanguard offers the International Baccalaureate program for students, which accepts pupils from outside districts and makes up about 25% of the student population....
  • Belleview High School
    Belleview High School

    Belleview High School is a school in Marion County, Florida. It serves the Belleview, Florida area. The school mascot is the Diamondback Rattlesnake, and the school colors are blue, silver, and white....
  • Dunnellon High School*
  • Forest High School
    Forest High School

    Forest High School is a school in Ocala, Florida, Marion County, Florida, USA. It has an EMIT program. The school's colors are green and gold, and the school mascot is the Wildcat....
  • Lake Weir High School
    Lake Weir High School

    Lake Weir High School is a public high school located in unincorporated area southeastern Marion County, Florida, Florida, United States. It is part of the Marion County School District and serves students residing in southeastern Marion County, Florida, including the Ocala National Forest, Silver Springs Shores, Florida and Summerfield, Flo...
  • Marion Technical Institute
    Marion Technical Institute

    Marion Technical Institute is Marion County, Florida's vocational school that offers 6 on-campus academies and coenrollment opportunities while students still earn their high school diploma....
  • North Marion High School
  • West Port High School
    West Port High School

    West Port High School is one of eight High Schools in Marion County, Florida. The school serves the west side of Ocala, Florida.It is the home of the Marion County Center for the Arts , a magnet program offering classes in Digital Media, Photography , Technical theatre/stagecraft, Dance, Musical Theatre, Drawing and Painting, 3D sculpture,...




External links


Government links/Constitutional offices



Special districts


Judicial branch
  • serving Citrus
    Citrus County, Florida

    Citrus County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 118,085. The United States Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county was 138,143 ....
    , Hernando
    Hernando County, Florida

    Hernando County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 130,802. The United States Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 165,409 ....
    , Lake
    Lake County, Florida

    Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. With a Census-estimated population of 290,435 in 2006, it is the 23rd fastest-growing county in the United States....
    , Marion, and Sumter
    Sumter County, Florida

    Sumter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 53,345. The 2006 Census estimate puts its population at 68,768 ....
     counties


Tourism links



Miscellaneous links

  • From the State Library & Archives of Florida.