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Marion County, located in the north central section of Florida, is known for its varied natural terrain, crystal clear spring-fed rivers and the magnificent Ocala National Forest, which covers 366,000 acres. It is Florida's fifth largest county and covers 1,610 square miles. The population in 2005 was 303,442 with a projection of 501,227 by the year 2030. The heart of Marion County is the City of Ocala, which is a hustling, bustling city boasting great shopping, endless dining choices, a thriving downtown area and just a short drive to a world-class tourist attraction: Silver Springs, "Nature's Theme Park" which is one of Florida's original theme parks and famous for its glass-bottom boat tours on crystal clear springs. Residents love Marion County's rolling hills, horse farms, pasturelands and preserved wooded areas including the Ocala National Forest which offers nearly endless hiking and biking trails and a multitude of camping and RV sites. The county is criss-crossed with numerous lakes, rivers, and springs, and is dotted with eleven golf courses, including the magnificent Golden Ocala which has replicas of some of the world's most famous holes. It is no wonder that healthy activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, boating, swimming, golfing, and other outdoor sports are popular pastimes among residents. Marion County's terrain has often been compared to the state of Kentucky and perhaps that is why over 450 world renowned thoroughbred horse farms are located within the county. Those who prefer a cultural slant will enjoy visits to the ever-changing displays at The Appleton Museum and be entertained by the performing arts at the Civic Theater in Ocala. In addition to craft fairs, there are many fine arts presentations as well as seasonal theatrical performances by the College of Central Florida. Gift shops, shopping malls, movie theaters, antique shoppes and restaurants of all kinds are only some of the activities you'll discover in everyday life in Marion County. The Dunnellon office is conveniently located in the thriving city of Dunnellon in southern Marion County, a short drive from Ocala and several major cities and towns in bordering Citrus County. At the junction of the magnificent Rainbow River and the Withlacoochee River, Dunnellon is noted for its quiet, southern charm. A walk down Pennsylvania Ave will have you thinking you've stepped back a half of century in time. Just north of the city is the very popular Rainbow Springs State Park where some 450 million gallons of fresh, crystal-clear water pour forth every day into the pristine Rainbow River. Education The Marion County School System offers a well-rounded curriculum for Kindergarten through 12th grade. The community education center averages more than 1,000 students for all ages. There is a combined total of 43 elementary, middle and high schools in Marion County with an enrollment of 42,026 students. Colleges and Universities located in or near Marion County are College of Central Florida (Ocala), the University of Florida (Gainesville), and St. Leo College (St. Leo). Several private religion-based schools are also located in the area. Transportation Transportation to and from Marion County couldn't be easier. The County's main highways in a north and south direction are U.S. Highways 441, 301, 27, and 41. East and west can be accessed by State Roads 40 and 200. Interstate 75 runs north and south through Marion County connecting with the start of the Florida Turnpike, which slices diagonally across Florida, ending in Miami. The county has airports located in Ocala and Dunnellon for light airplane air traffic and can accommodate most corporate jets. The nearest major airports are located 40 miles north in Gainesville, 80 miles south in Orlando and 60 miles east in Daytona.
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