MARION COUNTY
Real Estate
|
2007 |
2008 |
4/2009 |
| Median Price* Single Family Home |
$168,600 |
$137,500 |
$111,300 |
| Median Price* Condominium |
$101,400 |
$67,500 |
$55,000 |
* Median Price of 101 homes sold would be that price which is lower than 50 of the prices and also
higher than 50 of the prices. In other words, there are homes and condominiums available in every price
range in Marion County. Median prices shown above are for the Ocala/Dunnellon MSA. The statistics are
meant to give you a feel for the area as compared to others you may be considering and to show the direction
of the market.
Taxes
Visit
Buy a Home in Florida for comprehensive property tax information
Weather
Average High/Low in January 72/49, in July 91/71
Every year thousands of new residents begin calling Marion County home, keeping it among the three fastest growing areas in the nation. The county's welcoming atmosphere makes transitions easy. The variety and affordability of housing ensures that there are homes to suit every taste, lifestyle and budget.
Surrounded by scenic countryside, Ocala has the vitality and diversity of a much larger city. Named the county seat in 1845, it has a wonderful history, yet the ability to move ahead into the next century. Ocala's historic district is a neighborhood of charming tree-lined streets and exquisite Victorian and Tudor homes. Throughout the city and in nearby suburbs are newer developments of single-family homes, condos, townhouses and apartments.
For those who long for the country life, Marion County offers many possibilities from newly built country communities to weathered farm houses, horse farms, and grand estates. The region's highway system makes outlying areas convenient to Ocala's business and shopping districts. From Belleview in the south, to Dunnellon in the west, and McIntosh or Reddick in the north, homes of brick and frame abound, with new construction continuously expanding the selection for newcomers.
A growing trend in housing is toward attractively designed gated communities. These areas feature luxurious, yet surprisingly affordable custom-built homes. Communities such as Oak Run, On Top of the World, Ocala Palms, Lake Diamond, Spruce Creek and others offer every imaginable type of recreation, often with clubhouses, golf courses, pools, tennis courts, fitness centers, scenic walking trails, restaurants and a host of indoor activities and opportunities for social interaction.
Whether the choice is a home in town or in the country, residents are never far from schools, health care providers, churches, shopping and commercial centers, governmental services, cultural and recreation activities and above all, the beauty that nature has bestowed upon Marion County.
The scenic countryside, shady forests, and crystal-clear waterways are treasured and protected, but also willingly shared with visitors and newcomers who quickly realize that Marion County, with Ocala at its heart, is more than a place to live…it's a place to be experienced.
Events
In Marion County, arts, culture and festivals are always in season. Throughout the year more than 250 civic clubs and organizations promote festivals celebrating the cultural variety of Marion County. Major annual events include: Fine Arts for Ocala's Ocala Art Festival; "God and Country Day"; the Ocala Christmas Parade; Ocala-Fest; Light-Up Ocala; the McIntosh 1890 Festival; Boomtown Days in Dunnellon; Belleview Founder’s Day and other smaller festivals and events.
The importance of agriculture is recognized through other events such as the Florida Horse Park
Festival of the Horse which occurs each April and features the finest horses and riders competing in dressage, cross-country and show jumping. The Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) Ocala Winter Circuit is a highly respected series of horse-jumping competitions held over a seven-week period at HITS Post Time Farm on U.S. Highway 27. Approximately 3,500 horses and 7,000 horsemen from around the world attend each year. Other agriculture based events in our area include the annual Master Gardeners Show, the Southeastern Youth Fair; Florida Equestrian Classic; the Shriners’ Rodeo, the Professional Pro Rodeo and many breed-specific horse shows.
Art & Culture
An active appreciation of fine arts has been an integral part of the cultural life of Ocala for years.
"Fine Arts for Ocala," (FAFO) was founded in 1967 and it promotes visual and performing arts programs for people of all ages. The group’s annual autumn art show, held on the grounds of the Ocala City Hall, downtown, attracts more than 50,000 people during its two days to view and purchase works of art, enjoy entertainment, and an exhibition of the artwork of area school children. FAFO also sponsors a "Symphony Under the Stars," each year which features guest orchestras and conductors.
Since 1950, Ocala has had its own community theatre which is the second largest in the state.
The Ocala Civic Theatre offers live, professional-quality musical and dramatic productions. Each year 44,000 people attended at least one Civic Theatre show. The theatre also has a youth program, a program for seniors, and shows by professional touring companies. They are supported by an enthusiastic volunteer group.
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra, established in 1975, is a fully-professional orchestra composed of outstanding musicians from the community and the finest music schools throughout the region. The non-profit organization is dedicated to serving Central Florida with the highest quality in musical experiences. In addition to the annual concert schedule, the orchestra performs free community concerts such as the “Symphony Under the Lights” on Ocala’s Historic Downtown Square in cooperation with the City of Ocala, hosts and a Young Artist Competition to seek out talented young musicians, and performs at many special events such as Fine Arts for Ocala’s Annual "Symphony Under the Stars" on Mother’s Day.
The crowning jewel in Marion County's multi-faceted cultural scene is
The Appleton Museum of Art, jointly owned by the Florida State University Foundation, and the Central Florida Community College Foundation. Located on East Silver Springs Boulevard and housed in an elegant neo-classical-style building, the museum is a regional landmark and one of the southeast's finest cultural assets. The vast permanent collection includes 18th and 19th century academic art from Europe, Canada and the U.S., Pre-Columbian art, African art, Asian art, and Antiquities. The permanent collection is complemented by three seasons of important traveling exhibitions each year. In 1996 the Edith-Marie Appleton wing added a 22,000 square foot gallery to house traveling exhibitions, making The Appleton one of the largest art museums in Florida.
Parks & Recreation
Marion County has the same land area as the entire state of Rhode Island. For people who enjoy the outdoors, there are places to go and things to do all year round. The county is famous for its huge oaks, festooned with Spanish moss and the towering sand pines of the Ocala National Forest. Flowers bloom in every season of the year, filling the landscape with color and the air with their fragrance.
Opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming and other water sports abound in a region covered by hundreds of fresh-water springs, lakes and the Silver, Rainbow, Ocklawaha, and Withlacoochee Rivers. Canoeing and kayaking the Juniper Run at Juniper Springs is a fun-filled trip for the entire family, with getting back made easy since the boats and their passengers are ferried back to their cars in the parking lot at the end of their day. The pure, clean waters of springs and spring-fed lakes and rivers are a dream comes true for folks enjoying snorkeling and diving.
Fisherman will love Marion County as our area lakes such as Orange, Jumper, George, Lake Weir and the Withlacoochee River. They are unequaled for bass fishing which is just one of the more than 100 species of fish to be found in the region’s waterways.
Just outside of Ocklawaha on Lake Weir is the 560 acre Carney Island Park which offers hiking, biking, swimming, picnicking and canoeing.
Rainbow Springs State Park is located just north of the KP Hole. This enormously popular state park with 600 acres of park and another 400 acres of campground completed a successful upgrade of its amenities in early 1998. There is a small entrance fee per person to the Park which contains the headwaters of the Rainbow River. The spring offers a protected swimming and snorkeling area in the clear, cool water. Shaded walkways wind through the Park with benches located regularly along the way so visitors can stop and look at the beautiful scenery. Trees and bushes are identified to help in the public’s education. There are two waterfalls and other great photographic opportunities throughout the Park. A covered picnic area, and gift shop round out the amenities offered.
Marion County's land and waters offer a wealth of recreational opportunities. Several outstanding attractions reflect millions of years of life in this section of north central Florida. The most impressive is Silver Springs, the largest artesian spring system, by water flow, in the world. Here, evidence of prehistoric animals goes back more than a million years; traces of man a mere 10,000. For more than a century the springs have been a tourist attraction - Florida's first - with early visitors arriving by stagecoach and steamboat.
Visit Your Florida Lifestyle for more information on fishing and our Guide to Establishing Florida Residency for Florida fishing license information.
Golf
There are over 20 private, semi-private and public courses in Marion County. The City of Ocala golf program offers two premier public facilities – Ocala Golf Club and Pine Oaks of Ocala. Both courses wind through the native pine and hardwood canopies. These true “shot makers” courses offer outstanding service and value.
Visit Your Florida Lifestyle for additional golf information.
Sports
Its official, Marion County is the Horse Capital of the World! The County has the highest number of horses and ponies in residence in America. Anchored by the Florida thoroughbred breeding and training farms with more than 70,000 acres, Ocala/Marion County’s horse industry is represented by virtually every breed of horse, including the American Quarter Horse, Paso Fino, Arabian and Warmbloods. Whether it’s reining, roping, polo, hunter-jumper, dressage, vaulting, western pleasure, saddle seat, sidesaddle, eventing, endurance or simply pleasure riding, Ocala/Marion County is home to the world’s most fantastic equine champions.
Olympic 3-Day Eventing gold medalist David O’Connor, plus bronze medalists Karen O’Connor and Darren Chiachia, enjoy time at their homes and training facilities in Marion County. Combined Driving international champion, Chester Weber is an Ocala native and famous equine event organizer. Famed Ocala cowboy Dan Daly can boast of winning multiple all-around cowboy championships within the International Pro-Rodeo Association.
You can thrill at Olympic-level equestrian sports, international competitions, and show jumping, polo and special events at the Florida Horse Park. It is an official U.S. Equestrian Federation training site, attracting national attention and world-class competitors.
The Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) Ocala Winter Circuit is a highly respected series of horse-jumping competitions held over a seven-week period at HITS Post Time Farm on U.S. Highway 27. Approximately 3,500 horses and 7,000 horsemen from around the world attend each year.
Additional sports information can be found in the Your Florida Lifestyle section on our Home Page.
Hospitals
Visit Florida Medical Resources for comprehensive information including Florida hospital ratings.
Colleges
For information on Lifelong Learning, visit Your Florida Lifestyle.
Airports
Ocala International Airport http://www.ocalafl.org/airport.aspx
Shopping
Ocala is proud of the diverse and exciting shopping district located around the Historic Downtown Square. The downtown shopping area embraces the heart of Ocala and the local businesses here. Additional major shopping areas include the new Market Street at Heath Brook open air mall and the Paddock Mall.
Marion County, Florida, Cities & Towns
Belleview, Citra, Dunnellon, Eastlake Weir, Eureka, Fort McCoy, McIntosh, Ocala (County Seat), Ocklawaha, Orange Springs, Pedro, Reddick, Romeo, Salt Springs, Summerfield, Weirsdale
Additional Resources
Featured Towns and Cities
Ocala
Named an "All America City" in 1995, Ocala is the county seat, and has a present population of 49,439 making it the largest city in the county.
Downtown Ocala has been revitalized during the past several years with renovations to the town square, and the beautification of historic buildings surrounding it. The Ocala Down-town Development Commission and a coalition of citizens, property owners, and public officials are working steadily to continue the economic revitalization of downtown.
In addition to the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce building, a variety of large and small restaurants, Brick City Center for the Arts, shops, financial institutions, and commercial businesses are located around the square or within a short walk. The center of Ocala has come to life in the evening with a number of restaurants, clubs, and special events bringing people back downtown. On Friday and Saturday evenings, horse drawn carriage rides bring a touch of the past to visitors. Distinctive neighborhoods with lovely homes are situated throughout the city in price ranges for every budget. Each spring dogwoods, azaleas, and other colorful flowers invite visitors to drive along the tree-shaded streets.
In addition to the many major horse farms in the area, there are many small farms, so if you always dreamed of being a “gentleman farmer,” this could be the place! The hilly countryside is home to many retirement communities. You can choose from communities that feature inexpensive manufactured homes to those that offer estate size custom built homes; gated or non gated, with or without golf courses 55+ or mixed.
If you would like to get a feel for home prices in Ocala, visit www.zillow.com and search for recent homes sold.
If you would prefer to save precious time and would like personalized assistance, call or email us today to take advantage of our free Florida Relocation Services. We’ll answer all of your questions and if the timing is right for you, we’ll introduce you to one of the best real estate agents in Ocala who can provide detailed information and professional assistance.
Dunnellon
Originally seven small farming communities, Dunnellon experienced tremendous growth in 1889 with the discovery of phosphate. The town of Dunnellon prospered; soon there was a railroad, school, post office, electric lights, and a wooden bridge over the Withlacoochee River. Dunnellon has been called the "Treasure of Florida's Nature Coast." Surrounded by two beautiful rivers, the Withlacoochee River and the Rainbow River and steeped in its boom-town preserved history, Dunnellon embodies Old Florida character and charm.
Dunnellon is home to Florida's second largest artesian spring, Rainbow Springs, which feeds roughly 500 million gallons of crystal clear water each day into the scenic Rainbow River. The Rainbow Springs State Park is a popular recreation area with botanical gardens, nature trails, kayak rentals, picnic and swimming area.
Dunnellon remembers its past with a weekend-long springtime celebration called Boomtown Days Festival, which draws thousands of residents and visitors to the town's quaint shops and bed and breakfasts that occupy the restored homes along Pennsylvania Avenue. With a population of approximately 2,000, Dunnellon is known for its variety of water-related sports, excellent fishing, and hometown hospitality.
On the First Saturday of every month at the Village Market in the Historic District,
vendors of every type showcase their wares, from antiques, produce and food to jewelry and crafts. ”Hot Summer Nights” features live music in several locations downtown, antique and classic cars. Shops remain open until 9pm.
Dunnellon is growing as people discover this jewel of the “Nature Coast”. There are several 55+ communities that offer golf, tennis, fitness centers and active clubhouses. Homes are available from the mid to high $100’s up into the $400’s. Always wanted to own a B & B? Perhaps Dunnellon is the place for you!
If you would like to get a feel for home prices in Dunnellon, visit www.zillow.com and search for recent homes sold.
If you would prefer to save precious time and would like personalized assistance, call or email us today to take advantage of our free Florida Relocation Services. We’ll answer all of your questions and if the timing is right for you, we’ll introduce you to one of the best real estate agents in Dunnellon who can provide detailed information and professional assistance.
