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Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 258,916. Its county seat is Ocala, Florida6.

History


Marion County was created in 1844 from portions of Alachua, Mosquito (Orange), and Hillsborough counties. Until 1853, Marion County included most of what are now Lake and Sumter counties. The county is named after General Francis Marion of South Carolina, a guerilla fighter and hero of the American Revolutionary War. Many of the early settlers of Marion County were from South Carolina. The county motto is "Kingdom of the Sun."

Geography


According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,307 km² (1,663 mi²). 4,089 km² (1,579 mi²) of it is land and 218 km² (84 mi²) of it (5.06%) is water. It is coterminous with the Ocala Metropolitan Area.

Demographics


As of the census² of 2000, there were 258,916 people, 106,755 households, and 74,621 families residing in the county. The population density was 63/km² (164/mi²). There were 122,663 housing units at an average density of 30/km² (78/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.16% White, 11.55% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. 6.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino 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 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 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


Incorporated

  1. City of Belleview
  2. City of Dunnellon
  3. Town of McIntosh
  4. City of Ocala
  5. Town of Reddick

Unincorporated

Education


Public School System

  • 27 elementary schools
  • 8 middle schools
  • 1 school which is combined elementary and middle
  • 8 high schools
  • 2 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
  • 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

High Schools

Marion County Public Schools Homepage

External links


Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

Tourism links

Miscellaneous links

Florida counties | Marion County, Florida

Marion County (Florida) | Condado de Marion (Florida) | Condado de Marion (Flórida)

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Marion County, Florida".

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