Marion County, Florida

U.S. County|

 county  = Marion County|
 state = Florida |
 seal = Marion County FL Seal.png |
 map = Marion County Florida.svg |

founded = March 14 1844| seat = Ocala | area = 4,307 km² (1,663 mi²) |

 area land = 4,089 km² (1,579 mi²) |
 area water = 218 km² (84 mi²) |
 area percentage = 5.06% |
 census yr = 2000|
 pop = 258,916 |
 density = 63|
 web = www.marioncountyfl.org|}}

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, Florida ⁶.

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 Statistical Area.

Demographics

As of the census ² 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

# City of Belleview# City of Dunnellon# Town of McIntosh# City of Ocala# Town of Reddick

Unincorporated

*Fort McCoy
*Marion Oaks
*Silver Springs Shores
*Salt Springs

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

*Belleview Middle School
*Dunnellon Middle School
*Fort King Middle School
*Howard Middle School
*Lake Weir Middle School
*North Marion Middle School
*Osceola Middle School
*West Port Middle School

High Schools

*Vanguard High School
*Belleview High School
*Dunnellon High School*[1]
*Forest High School
*Lake Weir High School
*Marion Technical Institute
*North Marion High School
*West Port High School

Marion County Public Schools Homepage

External links

Marion County, Florida: Encyclopedia BETA

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