Ocala, FL: Local News, Events & Neighbors

Ocala ( oh-KAL-ə) is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Florida, United States. Located in North Central Florida. The population was 63,591 as of the 2020 census, and was estimated at 71,753 in 2025, making it the 42nd-most populated city in Florida. It is the principal city of the Ocala metropolitan area, which had a population of 442,660 in 2025. Home to over 400 thoroughbred farms and training centers, Ocala has been called the "Horse Capital of the World". Notable attractions include the Ocala National Forest, Silver Springs State Park, Rainbow Springs State Park, the College of Central Florida, and the World Equestrian Center.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Ocala ranks

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#9Closest to a top hospital in FL #31Shortest commute in FL #55Most new homes in FL All FL rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code34470, 34471, 34472

Area code352

Living in Ocala

Housing in Ocala

$265K▼ 2.5% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Ocala home is worth about $265,000, down 2.5% in a year, 29% below the Florida typical home.

A balanced market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market56

Sale-to-list97.3%

Sold in May84

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Ocala

D

Safety Grade D

Ocala reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 89% report less.

Violent crime per 1,000

Ocala 3.8

Florida 2.5

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Ocala 24.7

Florida 10.8

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Health in Ocala

C

Health Grade C

Healthier than 34% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 59% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Florida

7worse than FL

of 26 measures CDC estimates. The other 19 are too close to call.

Conditions 3▼ 9 close Habits 1▼ 3 close Care 2▼ 5 close Mind 1▼ 2 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

16.9%More older adults who have lost all their teethFL 12.7% · worse 15.5%More smokersFL 12.4% · worse 8.5%More adults with COPDFL 7.2% · worse

Care nearby

Adventhealth OcalaOcala · 0.8 mi · ER

Heart of Florida Health Center Beacon PointOcala · 0.2 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Ocala · CMS · HRSAHealth in Ocala →

Schools in Ocala

All Ocala schools →

C⁻

School Grade C-

The public schools Ocala’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 84% of Florida’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

See how Ocala’s schools compare in FL →

DistrictMARIONSchools41

Ward-Highlands Elementary School B+Elementary · Grades PK–5 · 908 students College Park Elementary School C+Elementary · Grades PK–5 · 873 students Dr. N H Jones Elementary School A+Elementary · Grades PK–5 · 789 students South Ocala Elementary School B-Elementary · Grades PK–5 · 712 students Oakcrest Elementary School CElementary · Grades PK–5 · 631 students Wyomina Park Elementary School C-Elementary · Grades PK–5 · 502 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within FL. Ratings are from neighbors.

Famous people from OcalaWriters, athletes, leaders and more who were born in Ocala.Meet them →