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Florida County
Marion County, Florida
Ocala's horse capital and the Silver Springs - from Ocala's designation as the Horse Capital of the World (more horses per capita than anywhere in the US, with over 1,200 horse farms producing Thoroughbred, Warmblood, and Paso Fino champions) to Silver Springs State Park's extraordinary glass-bottom boat tradition (operating since 1878, one of Florida's oldest tourist attractions), the Ocala National Forest's 383,000 acres, and a North-Central Florida county whose rolling hills and natural beauty set it apart from the flat coastal landscape most visitors associate with Florida.
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Office: Marion County Emergency Management – (352) 369-6734 | marioncountyfl.org/em
Alert System: Marion County Alert; Florida FDEM; CodeRED; NOAA Weather Radio
Shelter Info: Multiple shelter locations; Florida Horse Park; Marion County Emergency Management; marioncountyfl.org for current info
FEMA Region: Region 4
Notes: North-central Florida horse country county; Ocala is county seat; hurricane risk (inland – significant wind from tropical systems; Irma 2017 caused tree damage); flooding (Ocklawaha River; Silver Springs Run; Rainbow River; Lake Weir); severe thunderstorms; sinkholes (karst limestone); wildfire risk (Ocala National Forest); the “Horse Capital of the World” designation (Marion County has more thoroughbred horses than any other county in Florida and ranks among the top in the US); Silver Springs (one of the world’s largest artesian springs – the birthplace of the glass-bottom boat)
Roads & Utilities
ROADS & TRANSPORTATION
County Roads: Marion County Roads – (352) 671-8686
Notes: I-75 (north-south through the county – connects to Gainesville north and Tampa south; significant truck traffic); US-301 (north-south eastern county); US-27 (north-south western county); SR-40 (east-west through Ocala to the Ocala National Forest and to Ormond Beach – the primary east-west route through the county’s middle; SR-40 through the national forest is one of Florida’s finest scenic drives); Ocala is about 80 miles north of Tampa and about 85 miles north of Orlando; the county’s central Florida location makes it accessible from multiple directions
Business & Permits
BUILDING & PERMITS
Office: Marion County Growth Services – (352) 438-2400 | marioncountyfl.org
Services: County permits; Ocala (separate – active), Belleview, Dunnellon, Reddick, Citra, McIntosh, Silver Springs Shores (large unincorporated community) separate
Notes: Marion County is one of Florida’s more active building counties; Ocala is growing significantly; SR-200 corridor commercial development west of Ocala is very active; horse farm development and equine facility construction is a unique Marion County building activity; Silver Springs Shores (a large planned community) has ongoing residential development; The Villages (to the south in Sumter County) influences nearby Marion County development
Veterans Services
VETERANS SERVICES
Office: Marion County Veterans Services – (352) 671-8770
VA Medical: Malcom Randall VAMC (Gainesville – about 35 miles north via I-75; (352) 376-1611); Ocala VA CBOC – (352) 369-3320 (important local outpatient access); Gainesville VAMC is one of the SE’s finest
Services: Full range via CBOC; excellent VA access given Gainesville VAMC proximity; large veteran retiree population
Notes: Gainesville VA and the Ocala CBOC provide excellent coverage; I-75 makes Gainesville VAMC very accessible; the large retirement population includes many veterans; The Villages’ influence brings additional veterans to the area
Libraries
LIBRARIES
System: Marion County Public Library System – (352) 671-8551 | marioncountyfl.org/library; 4 branches
Services: Books, e-books, public computers, Wi-Fi, genealogy (outstanding Florida history including the massive horse industry documentation), children’s programs; Silver Springs heritage; equestrian culture; Ocala National Forest heritage
Notes: Solid library system; the headquarters branch is well-equipped; Silver Springs’ extraordinary heritage (the glass-bottom boat tours began here in 1878; underwater filming (Tarzan films, Lloyd Bridges’ Sea Hunt, the original Six Million Dollar Man opening sequence were all filmed here); the springs were one of Florida’s premier 20th century attractions) is documented in significant collections; the equestrian culture documentation is unique
Parks & Recreation
PARKS & RECREATION
State Parks: Silver Springs State Park (Ocala – one of Florida’s greatest natural and historical treasures; the Silver Springs complex includes the world’s largest artesian spring (7 spring vents producing 550 million gallons of clear water daily at 72°F); the first glass-bottom boats in the world began here in 1878 (invented by local entrepreneur Phillip Morrill); movies including Tarzan films, The Creature from the Black Lagoon (partially), and the original James Bond film were filmed here; the spring is so clear that the glass-bottom boat experience (looking through a glass bottom at the spring vents 15-20 feet below) is genuinely extraordinary; the Rainbow River is adjacent (Dunnellon – one of Florida’s finest tubing rivers; crystal-clear spring water at 72°F from Rainbow Springs State Park)); Ocala National Forest (one of the finest national forests in the Southeast; the “Big Scrub” – the world’s largest sand pine scrub forest; Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs (two of Florida’s finest spring campgrounds – camping under the oaks, swimming in the springs, canoeing the spring runs through subtropical forest); excellent deer, turkey, and bear hunting; OHV trails; Lake Oklawaha; the Florida National Scenic Trail passes through the forest; the forest is a major wildlife corridor between north and south Florida)
Regional: The Florida Horse Industry (Marion County has more registered thoroughbred horses than any other county outside Kentucky’s Bluegrass region; the rolling hills, sandy loam soil, and abundant limestone create ideal conditions for horse breeding; Kentucky horse farms on the move came to Marion County; the region supplies horses to the Preakness, Kentucky Derby, and other major races; horse farm tours are popular; the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company (OBS) is one of the nation’s major thoroughbred auction houses; the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing (Ocala – the finest collection of drag racing memorabilia in the world; Don “Big Daddy” Garlits is the most famous drag racer in history and Ocala is his hometown; the museum is genuinely extraordinary for motorsports enthusiasts)
Notes: Silver Springs is one of Florida’s most historically significant natural sites – the crystal-clear spring water (some of the clearest in the world), the glass-bottom boat tradition (over 140 years old), and the entertainment heritage (decades of Tarzan films and other productions) make it extraordinary; the spring’s clarity allows you to see 30+ feet to the bottom through the glass bottom; the Rainbow River (adjacent Dunnellon) is one of Florida’s finest tubing experiences; the Ocala National Forest’s “Big Scrub” (the world’s largest sand pine scrub – an ecosystem found nowhere else in the world in such extent) is one of the great ecological distinctions of central Florida; Don Garlits’ drag racing museum is genuinely world-class – the collection of historic race cars (including Garlits’ own revolutionary rear-engine dragster) represents the complete history of drag racing
GIS & Maps
GIS & MAPS
GIS Portal: Marion County GIS – marioncountyfl.org/gis; Silver Springs water monitoring; Ocala NF maps; SJRWMD watershed maps; sinkhole susceptibility mapping; horse farm land use mapping
Notes: Active GIS; Silver Springs flow and water quality monitoring; sinkhole susceptibility mapping (karst); Ocala NF recreation and resource management maps; horse farm and equine facility land use mapping (unique)
Animal Services
ANIMAL SERVICES
Shelter: Marion County Animal Services – (352) 671-8700 | marioncountyfl.org/animal; Marion County Humane Society
Services: Stray intake, adoptions, owner surrenders, spay/neuter; wildlife management (Florida black bears – Ocala NF supports significant population; gopher tortoises; Florida scrub jays in the Big Scrub; alligators; white-tailed deer; wild turkey; Ocklawaha River manatees; Silver Springs manatees in winter); equine-related animal issues (horses)
Notes: Florida black bear management is significant – the Ocala National Forest supports one of Florida’s largest bear populations; bears regularly enter Ocala and surrounding communities seeking food; Marion County has an active bear management program; Florida scrub jays in the Big Scrub (Ocala NF) are managed through USFS; Silver Springs’ winter manatees (the springs’ warm water attracts manatees when Gulf temperatures drop); the equine industry creates unique animal welfare considerations
Environmental & Waste
ENVIRONMENTAL / WASTE MANAGEMENT
Solid Waste: Marion County Solid Waste – (352) 671-8465; SR-25 Landfill; comprehensive programs
Recycling: Active recycling programs; MarionCounty recycling centers; HHW programs
Environmental: Florida DEP; St. Johns River Water Management District; USFS (Ocala National Forest); Silver Springs protection; Rainbow River protection; Ocklawaha River (part of the Cross Florida Greenway system)
Key Issues: Silver Springs water quality (Silver Springs’ once-legendary clarity has declined significantly due to nitrogen pollution from agricultural lands in the recharge zone – algae now grows in the spring run that was once crystal-clear; the SJRWMD and FDEP coordinate a springs protection program including agricultural best management practices and septic system improvements; the decline of Silver Springs’ water quality is one of the most studied and debated environmental issues in Florida); Ocala National Forest Big Scrub management (the world’s largest sand pine scrub is managed for fire (scrub requires periodic fire to maintain its open character – without fire, the scrub closes in and loses its endemic species); the USFS conducts extensive prescribed burning; the Florida scrub jay populations require active habitat management; the scrub’s endemic species (Florida scrub lizard, sand skink, and many endemic plants) require the scrub’s unique conditions); Cross Florida Greenway (the former Cross Florida Barge Canal project – abandoned in 1971 after environmental objections; the Ocklawaha River that would have been inundated is now largely protected; the Rodman Reservoir (created by the canal construction) is the subject of ongoing debate between fishing interests who value its bass fishing and environmentalists who want to drain it and restore the Ocklawaha River)
Notes: Silver Springs’ water quality decline is one of Florida’s most visible and concerning environmental trends – the spring that was once considered among the world’s clearest bodies of water (with visibility of 100+ feet in its prime) now has algal growth that reduces clarity significantly; the decline took decades and reversing it will also take decades; the horses that have made Marion County famous (and wealthy) contribute to the spring water quality challenge – horse manure from the thousands of horses in the region leaches nitrogen into the karst system; reducing agricultural nitrogen (from horses, cattle, and crops) is the primary springs restoration challenge
About Marion County
Marion County is defined by three distinct identities that coexist in remarkable harmony – the global horse industry, extraordinary natural springs, and one of Florida’s largest national forests.
Ocala (the county seat, population ~65,000) is the undisputed Horse Capital of the World – the limestone-rich soil of Marion County’s rolling hills produces grass with a calcium content that builds exceptional bone density, and the region’s over 1,200 horse farms have produced Kentucky Derby winners, World Equestrian Games champions, and breeding stock exported globally. The annual Ocala Breeders’ Sales draw buyers from every major racing nation.
Silver Springs State Park – just east of Ocala – contains one of the world’s largest artesian springs, producing 550 million gallons of crystal-clear 72-degree water daily. The glass-bottom boat tours have operated continuously since 1878, making it one of America’s oldest tourist attractions. The springs were used as a filming location for six Tarzan films, several James Bond underwater sequences, and the original Sea Hunt television series.
The Ocala National Forest – Florida’s oldest national forest, established 1908 – covers 383,000 acres of longleaf pine, scrub, and spring-fed rivers including the Juniper, Alexander, and Salt Springs recreational springs. The forest provides hunting, primitive camping, canoeing, and off-road vehicle recreation for the region.
The Villages – the massive planned retirement community – extends into Marion County’s southern portion, bringing significant population and commercial development to communities like Belleview and Lady Lake.
All Services
Browse every category and topic available for this county.
The Marion County Property Appraiser at 560 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471, phone 352-368-8300, assesses at just value. Appeal to the Marion County Value Adjustment Board by the deadline on your TRIM notice. No FL estate or inheritance tax.
Courts & Legal
Marion County Clerk of Court at 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475, phone 352-671-5604, handles probate.
Marriage & Vital Records
Marriage licenses, divorce records, and birth & death certificates are handled by the following office(s):
CLERK OF COURTS (Records, Marriage Licenses)
110 NW 1st Ave., Ocala, FL 34475
(352) 671-5610
Genealogy
County-level record sources
Marion County Clerk of the Circuit Court (probate/estate case files – see Probate section above).
Marion County Public Health Unit, Department of Vital Records, 1801 SE 32nd Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471, (352) 629-0137.
Local societies
Ocala-Marion County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 1206, Ocala, FL 34478-1206.
Marion County Historical Society, P.O. Box 3215, Ocala, FL 32678.
On Top of the World Genealogical Society – a member society of the Florida State Genealogical Society, serving the On Top of the World retirement community in Marion County.
Probate & Estate
Losing someone and having to deal with courts and paperwork at the same time is hard. This section won’t make that easier, but it should tell you what to expect, what it costs, and where to go – so at least you’re not walking in blind.
Where to go
Marion County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Probate Division 110 NW 1st Avenue, P.O. Box 1030, Ocala, FL 34478 (352) 671-5604 / (352) 671-5510 Marion County sits in Florida’s 5th Judicial Circuit. Clerk & Comptroller: David R. Ellspermann.
IMPORTANT – a major statewide law change just took effect: Florida’s summary administration threshold DOUBLED from $75,000 to $150,000 effective July 1, 2026, under CS/HB 1337 (Chapter 2026-57, Laws of Florida). Confirm which threshold applies based on date of death when helping someone (see
Probate filings, estate administration, and guardianship matters are handled by the following office(s):
Public Safety & Arrests
Arrest records, inmate search, and law enforcement services are handled by the following office(s):
SHERIFF
692 NW 30th Ave., Ocala, FL 34475
(352) 732-8181
Elections & Voting
Voter registration, polling locations, and elections information are handled by the following office(s):
SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
981 NE 16th St., Ocala, FL 34470
(352) 620-3290
Health & Human Services
Offices & Contacts
Health services, social services, and assistance programs are handled by the following office(s):
FL Dept of Health — Marion
1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 629-0137
FL DCF — Marion
(352) 401-2400
FL Medicaid
(800) 299-4833
AdventHealth Ocala
adventhealth.com/ocala
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital
ocalaregional.com
Public Health Information
PUBLIC HEALTH
Office: Florida DOH in Marion County – (352) 629-0137 | marion.floridahealth.gov
Services: Comprehensive health department; immunizations; WIC; STI testing; behavioral health; environmental health; restaurant inspections; Silver Springs water quality monitoring; spring water quality
Hospital: AdventHealth Ocala (Ocala – (352) 401-1000); HCA Florida Ocala Hospital; Munroe Regional Medical Center (Ocala); multiple hospital options for a mid-sized Florida city
Notes: Multiple hospitals serve Ocala’s growing population; behavioral health is in demand; the large retirement community (influenced by The Villages) drives significant senior healthcare demand; opioid crisis in central Florida counties; Silver Springs water quality monitoring is an important environmental health function
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Last verified June 2026
County Facts
County Seat: Ocala
Population: 380,000
Area: 1,651 sq mi
Established: 1844
Tier: 2
Public Records
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