Where Is Marion County, Florida?

Marion County is in north-central Florida on Interstate 75, between Gainesville and Orlando. Its county seat is Ocala, and it contains three cities, two towns, and dozens of unincorporated communities. The map facts, county seat, and full list of cities and towns are below.

1,663 Square Miles
5 Municipalities

By Only In Ocala Editorial Team · Updated

Marion County, Florida is in north-central Florida along Interstate 75, with Ocala as its county seat — about 80 miles northwest of Orlando and 100 miles southwest of Jacksonville by road. The county spans roughly 1,663 square miles and includes five municipalities — the cities of Ocala, Belleview, and Dunnellon and the towns of McIntosh and Reddick — plus communities such as Silver Springs, Marion Oaks, Summerfield, and Anthony. Use the map and town guide below for distances and directions from Ocala.

Where is Marion County, Florida located?

Marion County is in north-central Florida, along Interstate 75 between Gainesville and Orlando. Its county seat, Ocala, sits about 80 miles northwest of Orlando and 100 miles southwest of Jacksonville by road. The county covers 1,663 square miles and borders Alachua, Putnam, Volusia, Lake, Sumter, Citrus, and Levy counties.

Marion County is home to about 442,700 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025). Ocala is the county seat and largest city, known as horse country. Interstate 75 bisects the county, providing easy highway access. The Ocala National Forest covers much of the eastern portion. The full list of Marion County cities and towns is below, with population and drive time from Ocala for each community.

Marion County location at a glance

  • State: Florida, United States
  • Region: North-central Florida; county center near 29°13′N, 82°04′W
  • County seat: Ocala (created March 14, 1844; named for Revolutionary War general Francis Marion)
  • Size: 1,663 sq mi total — 1,585 sq mi of land and 78 sq mi of water
  • Bordering counties (7): Alachua (NW), Putnam (NE), Volusia (E), Lake (SE), Sumter (S), Citrus (SW), Levy (W)
  • Main highways: I-75, US-27, US-41, US-301, US-441, SR-40, SR-200
  • Zip codes: Ocala alone has 14 — see Ocala, FL zip codes by area
  • By road from Ocala: Gainesville ~40 mi, Orlando ~80 mi, Tampa ~98 mi, Jacksonville ~100 mi

Sources

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Only In Ocala Editorial TeamLocal Content Specialists · 8+ years in Marion County
Updated Yesterday

What is the county seat of Marion County, Florida?

Ocala is the county seat of Marion County, Florida, and its largest city. Marion County was created on March 14, 1844, and Ocala, laid out in 1849 beside the old Fort King site, has been the seat ever since. County courts sit at the Marion County Judicial Center, 110 NW 1st Avenue in downtown Ocala.

County administration is separate from the courts: the Board of County Commissioners meets at the McPherson Governmental Campus, 601 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala. Ocala had 63,591 residents at the 2020 Census. For courthouse details, the history of how Ocala became the seat, and the crossword answer to “Seat of Marion County, Fla.,” see our guide to the county seat of Marion County.

What cities and towns are in Marion County, Florida?

Marion County, Florida has five incorporated municipalities: the cities of Ocala, Belleview, and Dunnellon, and the towns of McIntosh and Reddick. Ocala is the county seat and largest city. The rest of the county is unincorporated, including large communities such as Silver Springs Shores, Marion Oaks, Summerfield, and Silver Springs.

Two of the county’s biggest population centers are not cities at all: Silver Springs Shores (24,846) and Marion Oaks (19,034) are census-designated places with no city government, so the county provides their services. The Villages, often assumed to be a city, is also unincorporated and reaches into Marion County only at its southern edge; most of it lies in Sumter and Lake counties.

Cities (3)

Ocala (county seat), Belleview, Dunnellon

Towns (2)

McIntosh, Reddick

Unincorporated

13 census-designated places and more than a dozen other named communities

Census-designated places (13)

Lake Kerr, Liberty Triangle, Marion Oaks, Ocala Estates, Ocklawaha, On Top of the World, Rainbow Lakes Estates (partly in Levy County), Rainbow Park, Rainbow Springs, Silver Springs, Silver Springs Shores, Silver Springs Shores East, The Villages (mostly in Sumter and Lake counties).

Other unincorporated communities

Anthony, Citra, Early Bird, Evinston, Flemington, Fort McCoy, Moss Bluff, Orange Lake, Orange Springs, Salt Springs, Shiloh, Summerfield, Weirsdale.

Marion County communities with distances from Ocala

Populations are 2020 U.S. Census counts for cities, towns, and census-designated places (CDPs). “n/a” marks unincorporated communities the Census Bureau does not count separately. Drive times are approximate from downtown Ocala.

Ocala

City (County Seat)

63,591

2020 Census

—

From Ocala

The largest city and county seat of Marion County. Home to downtown dining, arts, shopping, and the World Equestrian Center.

Belleview

City

5,413

2020 Census

15 min south

From Ocala

Small city south of Ocala along US 441 with a growing residential community and easy access to The Villages.

Dunnellon

City

1,928

2020 Census

30 min west

From Ocala

Known as the gateway to Rainbow Springs State Park. Charming downtown with unique shops and river access.

McIntosh

Town

463

2020 Census

30 min north

From Ocala

Historic Victorian-era town on US 441, about 19 miles north of Ocala, known for its annual 1890s Festival celebrating the town's heritage and architecture.

Reddick

Town

449

2020 Census

25 min north

From Ocala

Small town in northern Marion County, about 15 miles north of Ocala, incorporated in 1925, with deep agricultural roots and a tight-knit community.

Silver Springs Shores

CDP

24,846

2020 Census

15 min SE

From Ocala

Residential community southeast of Ocala with affordable housing, golf course, and growing commercial area.

Marion Oaks

CDP

19,034

2020 Census

20 min SW

From Ocala

One of the largest communities in Marion County with rapid growth, schools, and developing commercial centers.

Silver Springs

CDP

2,844

2020 Census

10 min east

From Ocala

Home to Silver Springs State Park and the famous glass bottom boat tours. Located along SR 40 east of Ocala.

Anthony

Unincorporated

n/a

2020 Census

20 min north

From Ocala

Rural community north of Ocala along US 301/441, surrounded by horse farms.

Citra

Unincorporated

n/a

2020 Census

20 min NE

From Ocala

Agricultural community in northeastern Marion County known for citrus heritage and rural character.

Summerfield

Unincorporated

n/a

2020 Census

25 min south

From Ocala

Growing community between Ocala and The Villages with shopping, dining, and residential development.

Weirsdale

Unincorporated

n/a

2020 Census

25 min south

From Ocala

Home to the beloved Orange Blossom Opry and located near Lake Weir, offering waterfront recreation.

Bordering Counties and Distances from Ocala

Marion County shares borders with seven counties: Alachua to the northwest, Putnam to the northeast, Volusia to the east, Lake to the southeast, Sumter to the south, Citrus to the southwest, and Levy to the west. The nearest larger cities outside the county, with approximate drive times from downtown Ocala:

Gainesville — 40 minutes north via I-75. Home to the University of Florida and a vibrant college town.

The Villages — 30 minutes south via US 441/US 27. America's largest retirement community.

Crystal River — 45 minutes west via SR-200 and CR-491. Famous for manatee tours and scalloping.

Leesburg — 40 minutes southeast via US 27. Lake County city with waterfront recreation.

Orlando — about 80 miles (roughly 1 hour 20 minutes) southeast via I-75 and Florida's Turnpike (toll road). Theme parks, airports, and metro amenities. Ocala to Orlando guide.

Jacksonville — about 100 miles (roughly 1 hour 50 minutes) northeast via US-301 North. Closest major beach city and NFL town.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Marion County, Florida located?

Marion County sits in the north-central part of Florida, between Gainesville to the north and Orlando to the southeast, and is part of the Ocala metropolitan area. Ocala, the county seat, is about 80 miles northwest of Orlando by road (via I-75 and Florida's Turnpike) and about 100 miles southwest of Jacksonville (via US-301). Interstate 75 runs north-south through the county, and Ocala sits where I-75 meets State Road 40. Marion borders Alachua, Putnam, Volusia, Lake, Sumter, Citrus, and Levy counties.

What is the county seat of Marion County, Florida?

Ocala is the county seat of Marion County, Florida. The city was established in 1849 around the site of Fort King, which served as the county's first courthouse in 1844. Marion County was created on March 14, 1844 and named for Revolutionary War general Francis Marion. County courts operate from the Marion County Judicial Center at 110 NW 1st Avenue in downtown Ocala, while the Board of County Commissioners meets at the McPherson Governmental Campus at 601 SE 25th Avenue.

What cities and towns are in Marion County, Florida?

Marion County, Florida has five incorporated municipalities: the cities of Ocala (the county seat and largest city), Belleview, and Dunnellon, and the towns of McIntosh and Reddick. Everything else is unincorporated, including 13 census-designated places such as Silver Springs Shores, Marion Oaks, Silver Springs, Ocklawaha, and On Top of the World, and communities such as Anthony, Citra, Fort McCoy, Summerfield, and Weirsdale.

How many cities are in Marion County, Florida?

Marion County has three incorporated cities (Ocala, Belleview, and Dunnellon) and two incorporated towns (McIntosh and Reddick), for five municipalities in total. The largest population centers outside Ocala are not cities at all: Silver Springs Shores (24,846 at the 2020 Census) and Marion Oaks (19,034) are unincorporated census-designated places governed by the county.

Is The Villages in Marion County, Florida?

Partly. The Villages census-designated place spans Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties, and the Marion County portion sits at the county's southern edge near Summerfield. The Villages is not an incorporated city; it had 79,077 residents at the 2020 Census across all three counties.

What towns are near Ocala, Florida?

Towns near Ocala include Belleview (15 minutes south on US 441), Dunnellon (30 minutes west on SR 40), Silver Springs (10 minutes east on SR 40), Anthony (20 minutes north on US 301), and Reddick (25 minutes north). Slightly farther out, The Villages is 30 minutes south, Gainesville is 40 minutes north on I-75, and Crystal River is about 45 minutes west via SR-200 and CR-491.

How big is Marion County, Florida?

Marion County covers approximately 1,663 square miles (4,307 square kilometers), making it one of the largest counties in Florida by land area (1,585 square miles of land and 78 of water, per the U.S. Census Bureau). The Ocala National Forest covers a significant portion of the eastern part of the county. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population at about 442,700 residents as of July 1, 2025.

What is Marion County, Florida known for?

Marion County is known as horse country, with about 600 Thoroughbred farms and the World Equestrian Center. The area is also famous for Silver Springs State Park (glass bottom boats since 1878), the Ocala National Forest, natural freshwater springs, and a growing downtown Ocala dining and arts scene. Key industries include equestrian, agriculture, healthcare, and tourism.
Explore All Communities →Marion County Seat Guide

Marion County community guide compiled by the Only In Ocala team with 10+ years of local expertise. Updated October 4, 2026.

Explore More Marion County Communities

Marion County is home to three cities, two towns, and dozens of unincorporated communities, each with its own character — from horse country to lakefront retreats. Keep exploring our local guides.

AnthonyBelleviewCitraDunnellonMcIntoshMoss BluffOcklawahaReddickSummerfieldWeirsdaleMarion County SeatMarion County Guide