Ocala, Florida

Ocala, Florida
Top, left to right: Downtown Ocala, horse on a farm, Marion Hotel, Marion Theatre
Top, left to right: Downtown Ocala, horse on a farm, Marion Hotel, Marion Theatre
Official seal of Ocala, Florida
Nickname: 
"Horse Capital of the World"
Motto: 
"God Be With Us"
Map
Interactive map of Ocala
Coordinates: 29°11′16″N 82°7′50″W / 29.18778°N 82.13056°W / 29.18778; -82.13056
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
CountyMarion
Founded1849
Incorporated (town)February 4, 1869
Incorporated (city)January 28, 1885
Government
 • TypeCouncil–Manager
 • MayorBen Marciano
 • CouncilmembersBarry Mansfield,
Kristen Dreyer,
Jay Musleh,
James Hilty, Sr., and
Ire J. Bethea, Sr.
 • City ManagerPeter Lee
 • City ClerkAngel B. Jacobs
 • City AttorneyWilliam E. Sexton
Area
 • City47.79 sq mi (122.42 km2)
 • Land47.78 sq mi (122.40 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation69 ft (21 m)
Population
 • City63,591
 • Estimate 
(2022)[4]
65,478
 • RankUS: 586th
FL: 43rd
 • Density1,386.0/sq mi (535.0/km2)
 • Urban
182,647 (US: 202nd)
 • Urban density1,460.9/sq mi (564.0/km2)
 • Metro
396,415 (US: 138th)
 • Metro density249.6/sq mi (96.36/km2)
Time zoneUTC–5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC–4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
34470-34483
Area code352
FIPS code12-50750
GNIS feature ID0288030[2]
Sales tax7.0%[5]
Websiteocalafl.gov

Ocala (/ˈkælə/ oh-KAL) is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Florida, United States.[6] Located in North Florida, the city's population was 63,591 as of the 2020 census,[3] making it the 43rd-most populated city in Florida. Ocala is the principal city of the Ocala metropolitan area, which had a population of 375,908 in 2020.

Home to over 400 thoroughbred farms and training centers, Ocala is considered the "Horse Capital of the World".[7][8] 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.

  1. ^ "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Ocala, Florida
  3. ^ a b "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference USCensusEst2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Ocala (FL) sales tax rate". Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ^ Hiers, Fred (November 20, 2007). "They call us the 'Horse Capital of the World'". Ocala StarBanner. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  8. ^ Peters, Terri (March 24, 2023). "This city in Florida is the Horse Capital of the World. Here's what it's like to stay in its luxury equestrian-themed hotel". Yahoo Life. Retrieved September 19, 2023.