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Ocala

#1,802 in Best Places to Retire in America
  • B+
    Overall Grade
  • Town in Florida
  • 364 reviews
    B+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Public Schools
      B+
    2. Crime & Safety
      C
    3. Housing
      B-
    4. Nightlife
      B+
    5. Good for Families
      B
    6. Diversity
      A
    7. Jobs
      B-
    8. Weather
      A-
    9. Cost of Living
      B+
    10. Health & Fitness
      B+
    11. Outdoor Activities
      B+
    12. Commute
      A-
    View Full Report Card
    Ocala is a town in Florida with a population of 57,812. Ocala is in Marion County. Living in Ocala offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many families and young professionals live in Ocala and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Ocala are above average.
    Population
    57,812

    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $121,800
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $850
    National
    $949
    Area Feel
    Dense Suburban
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      49%
    • Own
      51%
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    Ocala Rankings

    Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    C
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      393.2
      282.7
    • Murder
      11.8
      6.1
    • Rape
      97.5
      40.7
    • Robbery
      178.1
      135.5
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      682.3
      500.1
    • Theft
      3,841.7
      2,042.8
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      300.8
      284

    Residents

    Diversity
    A
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      13%
    • 10-17 years
      10%
    • 18-24 years
      9%
    • 25-34 years
      13%
    • 35-44 years
      13%
    • 45-54 years
      13%
    • 55-64 years
      11%
    • 65+ years
      18%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      9%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      14%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      31%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      33%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      13%
      13%

    Working in Ocala

    Jobs
    B-
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $39,238
    National
    $55,322
    Search for Jobs in Ocala
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    Ocala Reviews

    364 reviews
    All Categories
    I absolutely love Ocala. Ocala is a great place to live. Ocala offers lots of shopping and dining options. Also there are many job opportunities with companies like Florida hospital, Walmart, and Lockheed Martin. The many recreational parks and national forest make for good exploring and beautiful scenery. There is quite a bit to do in Ocala as well as opportunities to relax and enjoy quiet and nature. Ocala is also not too far from Gainesville, FL and Orlando, FL which makes it nice to visit museums, butterfly forests, Disney, Sea World, Universal Studios and many other attractions! Ocala is also only 45 minutes to an hour away from beaches. I particularly love visiting the springs in Ocala Florida. The beautiful, clear water and lots of wildlife. Great for canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and scuba diving. The trails are also fun but watch out for bears, snakes and believe it or not... monkeys!
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    I love Ocala! I was born and raised here so it has a special place in my heart. There are many beautiful natural springs, hiking trails, and hidden outdoor gems. Downtown is a great place to enjoy some of the best local eats and drinks! Ocala is also very safe and a great place to raise a family!
    Well, ocala is what I like to call the pit stop of Florida. If you're coming from the north, it's blocking Orlando, if you're coming from the south, it's blocking Tampa. No one really plans to end up in Ocala, but it's really similar to a small town, and that's a relief if you're coming from a big city.Most natives will say there's nothing to do in Ocala,but i think that face makes room for possibilities to take in the natural setting. The thing I like most about ocala is the unique thick mist that fogs the entire town from time to time. If you combine that with how silent things can be, it creates an eerie atmosphere for tomfoolery. Ocala is definitely underrated in the eyes of Floridian's, but I think towns like these are a dying breed.