Ocala, FL

Florida · Metropolitan Area

Ocala is a mid-size city in Florida with a population of 64,903. Residents earn $53,520 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
64,903 Population 1,352/sq mi density
$53,520 Median Income $32,629 per capita
$219,900 Home Value $268,068 Zillow
$1,230 Median Rent
71°F Avg Temperature
623 Violent Crime/100K 5,201 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$53,520 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$219,900 home value, $1,230/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
623 violent crimes/100K (64% above avg)
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,520
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $219,900
22% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 623/100K
64% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.7%
15% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,230
6% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.6%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.0%
21% higher than US avg

How Ocala Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population64,903
Median Age37.9 yrs
Density1,352/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 64%

Economy

B
Median Income$53,520
Per Capita$32,629
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty15.0%
County GDP$17,641M
Commute19 min

Housing

A
Home Value$219,900
Rent$1,230
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$268,068

Crime

F
Violent623/100K
Property5,201/100K
Murder12.1/100K
Assault402/100K
Burglary856/100K

Health

Obesity37.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.5%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp71°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain51.6 in/yr
Elevation79 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.7%
High School+91.1%
School Score5.60

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute19 min
EV Stations21
Libraries8

Is Ocala a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ocala receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, below-average incomes. Ocala offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ocala is $53,520, 29% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ocala is $219,900, 22% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,230 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 623 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,201 per 100,000, 165% above the national average.

Education

28.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Ocala has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 71°F. Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Ocala has a population of 64,903 with a density of 1,352 people per square mile. The median age is 37.9 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (63.9%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 19.8% Black.

Population

64,903
Total Population
1,352
People / sq mi
37.9yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
48.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.3%
Female 51.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Ocala vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only83.6%
6% above US avg
Spanish16.4%
22% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Ocala vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ocala is $53,520, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 15.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Ocala vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,520
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,629
Avg Weekly Wage$1,010
IRS Avg AGI$65,162

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate15.0%
21% above US avg
Establishments (County)10,226
County GDP$17,641M

Business (County)

Restaurants570
Healthcare985
Retail1,173
Manufacturing212

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,878
68% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.67%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.8 min
Work from Home10.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Ocala is $219,900, 22% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,230 (6% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $268,068.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$219,900
22% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$268,068
Median List Price$333,465

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$333,465
$/Sq Ft$162
Homes Sold70
Sale-to-List Ratio96.5%
Price Drops29.8%
Inventory379

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,230
6% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,593

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,212
1 Bedroom$1,296
2 Bedrooms$1,526
3 Bedrooms$1,971
4 Bedrooms$2,261

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied50.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,878
68% above US avg
Effective Rate2.67%
In Ocala, 37.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.5% report depression. 24.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Ocala vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.6%
17% above US avg
Diabetes11.6%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure32.9%
Asthma10.2%
COPD7.3%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity24.9%
Depression20.5%
Mental Distress19.3%
Physical Distress14.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.1%
Checkup Rate77.1%
Premature Death12,581/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access68.2%
Healthcare Facilities985
Ocala has a violent crime rate of 623 per 100,000 residents, 64% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,201 per 100,000 (165% above US avg). The murder rate is 12.1 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Ocala vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent623.5/100K
64% above US avg
Murder12.1/100K
92% above US avg
Rape58.9/100K
Robbery150.7/100K
Assault401.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,200.9/100K
165% above US avg
Burglary855.6/100K
Theft4,224.1/100K
Vehicle Theft121.2/100K
Arson26.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)104

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ocala has an average annual temperature of 71°F (22°C). Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

58°F Jan (15°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average71.3°F
32% above US avg
January Average58°F (15°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.6 inches
36% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation79 ft (24 m)
Area48.0 sq mi (124.3 km²)
Population Density1,352/sq mi
Coordinates29.1775°N, 82.1510°W
County FIPS12083
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 28.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (15% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.5%
D 33.8%

Winner: Republican by 31.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.7%
15% below US avg
High School+91.1%
School Test Score5.60
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,352/sq mi
Total Area48.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations21
Alt Fuel Stations30
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities985
Restaurants570
Retail Stores1,173

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)104
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.8 min
Work from Home10.8%

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