Hello From
Ocala!
“Horse Capital of the World®”
Ocala
A City in and the County Seat of Marion County, Florida
Ocala is internationally recognized for its deep connection to the thoroughbred horse industry, with rolling pastures and horse farms stretching for miles beyond the city limits. But Ocala is more than horses. A revitalized downtown, expanding food scene, and access to natural springs and forests have reshaped the city into a balanced mix of tradition and growth. Residents enjoy a lower cost of living than many Florida cities while still having access to cultural events, outdoor recreation, and a steadily improving local economy.
Horse Country, Ocala, Florida
Photo by MichaelWarrenPix via Canva
Location & Size
Ocala is located in North Central Florida and spans approximately 47 square miles.
The city sits about 75 miles northwest of Orlando, 90 miles northeast of Tampa, and 38 miles south of Gainsville.
It is positioned along Interstate 75, making it a key regional crossroads.
Founded
Ocala was founded in the mid-1800s near the site of a former military fort and officially incorporated in 1855. On November 29, 1883, Thanksgiving Day, a fire destroyed five square blocks of downtown, including major landmarks like the Ocala House Hotel. To prevent future disasters, the town mandated the use of brick, stone, and metal for new, permanent structures. The reconstruction transformed the city, and earned it the nickname, “Brick City”.
The city’s name is believed to come from a Timucua Native American village once located in the area. Rich limestone soil made the region ideal for agriculture, and later for horse breeding, which would become the city’s defining industry.
Over time, Ocala diversified while maintaining its equestrian identity.
Population
Approximately 63,000 residents.
Known For
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Ocala is world-renowned as the “Horse Capital of the World®,” featuring thousands of thoroughbred farms.
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Ocala is home to the 300-acre World Equestrian Center, which is the largest equestrian complex in the U.S..
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Following a devastating Thanksgiving Day fire in 1883 that destroyed most of its wooden downtown, the city was rebuilt using brick and other fire-resistant materials, earning it nickname, “Brick City”.
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Natural springs and forests- home to Silver Springs and the Ocala National Forest, which offers snorkeling, diving at Blue Grotto, and hiking.
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Equestrian events and training facilities.
Silver Glen Springs in the Ocala National Forest
Photo by MichaelWarrenPix via Canva
Cost of living
Median Income: $53,520
Median Home Price: $275,000
Median Rent: $1,450/month
Ocala’s cost of living is below average compared to many Florida cities, particularly coastal and metro areas.
Things to do
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Visit World Equestrian Center events
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Explore Ocala National Forest
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Swim at nearby freshwater springs
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Walk downtown Ocala
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Attend equestrian and community festivals
Fun Facts
- Marion County/Ocala has more horses than anywhere else in the country.
- Ocala is a premier hub for breeding champion thoroughbreds.
- Ocala-bred horses have won the Triple Crown, including Affirmed (1978) and American Pharoah (2015).
- Ocala’s limestone contributes to strong bone development in horses.
- The Ocala National Forest is the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River, established in 1908.
- Actor and pilot John Travolta lives in the Jumbolair Aviation Estates in Ocala, a residential airpark where he can park his planes in his backyard.
- The Ocala National Forest contains the world’s largest block of sand pine/scrub oak forest.
Nearby Cities
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