City profile · Florida · Census ACS 2023

Ocala, FL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Ocala - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

64,903
Residents
$53,520
Median income
$219,900
Median home
$1,373
Median rent (state)

Ocala - the verdict

Ocala ranks in the 25th percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

25th
percentile, household income
48th
percentile, home value
53rd
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Ocala, FL

Ocala is a small city in Florida, home to 64,903 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Ocala brings in $53,520 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 15.0%. Ocala's housing stock carries a median value of $219,900, and the median resident age is 37.9 years. 28.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 54.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 771 residential building permits were authorized in Ocala (Building Boom), up 243% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 71.3°F with 51.6 inches of precipitation per year.

Florida carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Florida scores 103.4 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,373 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Florida, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 16.8 minutes, with 77.4% driving alone and 10.8% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 94.7 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

64,903 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Florida

Median Household Income

$53,520 /yr

Poverty 15.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.4 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Florida average

How does Ocala compare to other US cities?

Here's how Ocala stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 25% higher than other cities
Home value 48% pricier than other cities
Median rent 53% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Ocala's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Florida, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

25thIncome percentile

25th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Ocala's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$219,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 52% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Ocala $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Ocala, FL Ocala, FL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ocala, FL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Ocala, FL median $53,520/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Ocala, FL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Ocala, FL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
64,903
Median Income
$53,520
Median Home Value
$219,900
Median Age
37.9
Poverty Rate
15.0%
Labor force participation
54.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.7%

Climate

Avg Temperature
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
51.6"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
42
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
60,000 residents65,000 residents70,000 residents75,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 63,867 residents 71,753 residents ▲ +12.3%
Ocala's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
771
housing units authorized
Single-Family
227
detached homes
Multifamily
544
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
11.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 225
2020 212
2021 776
2022 1,418
2023 279
2024 771

Permit volume increased 243% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.8 minutes
Drive Alone
77.4%
Carpool
8.7%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
1.1%
Work from Home
10.8%
Other
1.6%

Based on 27,482 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Florida - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$145
avg/month
Natural Gas
$25
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Florida state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Florida state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Ocala sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.4
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,373/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
94.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Florida

Port Charlotte
64,971 people
Port Orange
63,818 people
Delray Beach
66,940 people
Sanford
62,292 people
Horizon West
62,152 people
St. Cloud
61,963 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ocala's 64,903 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cheyenne, WY
64,976 people
Muncie, IN
64,739 people
Waltham, MA
64,723 people
Kenner, LA
65,113 people
Pflugerville, TX
65,162 people
Commerce City, CO
64,640 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ocala's $53,520 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

McArthur, OH
$53,519 median income
Frankfort, IN
$53,522 median income
Island Falls, ME
$53,523 median income
Chesapeake Landing, MD
$53,516 median income
Wagram, NC
$53,516 median income
Creston, WA
$53,516 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ocala, FL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Ocala, FL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 63.9% 19.8% 9.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 16.3% White 63.9% Black or African American 19.8% Asian 3.7% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.7% Two or more races 9.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Ocala compares to nearby Florida cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Ocala (this city) 64,903 $53,520
Port Charlotte 64,971 $60,729
Port Orange 63,818 $68,955
Delray Beach 66,940 $79,393
Census ACS 5-year FIPS FL NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ocala, FL?

What is the population of Ocala, FL? +

The population of Ocala, FL stands at 64,903 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Ocala, FL? +

Ocala households earn a median of $53,520 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ocala? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Ocala; the closest available measure is the Florida state average, a cost of living index of 103.4 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Florida vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Ocala, FL? +

Ocala's median home value sits at $219,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Ocala? +

Climate normals put Ocala's yearly average temperature at 71.3°F, 51.6 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.