Ocala’s history dates back to the 16th century and a major Timucua village named Ocale, and it derives its name Ocala from it. In the late 18th century, Native Americans and fugitive African Americans sought refuge in Florida and the Seminole people were formed.

The modern city of Ocala was established in 1849 around Fort King, which was built in 1827 by the US Army. Greater Ocala is known as the “Kingdom of the Sun” In the late 19th century, Ocala was an important center of citrus production. The railroads reached Ocala in 1881 which encouraged economic development and gave access to more markets of production. On Thanksgiving day in 1883 a great fire destroyed most of the city, which was then rebuilt mostly in brick, granite and steel, giving it a name “The Brick City”.

In 1943 the first thoroughbred horse farm in Florida was established in Marion County by Carl G. Rose. This led to further horse farm development in Ocala and surrounding towns, making Ocala a horse breeding area.

Ocala is now one of only 5 cities (4 in the US and 1 in France) permitted under Chamber of Commerce to use the tile “Horse Capital of the World”.

Based on annual revenue produced by the horse industries, there are over 44,000 jobs created for the breeding, training, maintaining and other equine related jobs in the farms of Ocala. These jobs generate over $2.2 billion in annul revenue. Ocala and Postime Farms host one of the larges horse shows in the country called “Horses in the Sun”. Other equine events include endurance rides, mounted shooting by the Florida Outlaws, barrel races, jumper shows, extreme cowboy events, trick shows, parades, rodeo events and draft pulls.

Currently Ocala’s population is 65,047. The city is growing at a rate of 1.13%.

Average household income in Ocala is $65,713 with a poverty rate of 19.17%. The median cost in rent is $973 per month and the median house value is $149,800.

As of 2014 census, Ocala’s demographics were as follows:

• 72.93% White non-Hispanic
• 18.63% African American
• 4.54% Two or more races
• 0.7% Asian
• 0.18 Native American
• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.07%

For more Ocala Demographic information please visit: WorldPopulationReview.com

The public schools in Ocala are run by the Marion County School Board. There are 30 elementary, ten middle and ten public high schools in Marion County, which include the following schools in Ocala:

Elementary schools

Major Roads

Several major highways pass through Ocala, including Interstate 75, U.S. Highway 27, U.S. Route 301, and U.S. Highway 441. Ocala was on the western leg of the historic Dixie Highway

• Interstate 75 runs north and south across the western edge of the city, with interchanges at SR 200 (exit 350), SR 40 (exit 352), and US 27 (exit 354).
• U.S. Route 27 runs north and south throughout Ocala. It is multiplexed with US 301 and 441 until it reaches SR 492(Northwest 10th Street), then makes a sharp turn onto NW 10th Street then curves northwest through Williston, Perry, Tallahassee, and beyond.
• U.S. Route 301 is the main local north and south road through Ocala. It is multiplexed with US 27 until it reaches Northwest 10th Street, and with US 441 throughout the city.
• U.S. Route 441 is the main local north and south road through Ocala. It is multiplexed with US 27 until it reaches Northwest 10th Street, and with US 301 throughout the city.
• State Road 492 runs east and west through the northern part of the city from the northern terminus of the US 27 multiplex with US 301–441 to SR 40 just southwest of the Silver Springs city limit.
• State Road 40 runs east and west through Ocala. It spans from Rainbow Lakes Estates through Ocala National Forest to Ormond Beach in Volusia County, although a bi-county extension exists, spanning from Yankeetown in Levy County to Dunnellon, south of the western terminus of SR 40.
• State Road 464 runs east and west from SR 200 through the southeastern part of the city. Beyond the city limits, it continues southeast towards State Road 35, and continues as County Road 464.
• State Road 200 runs northeast and southwest from Hernando in Citrus County through US 27-301-441 where it becomes a “hidden state road” along US 301 until it reaches Callahan, and is multiplexed with SR A1A into Fernandina Beach.