Marion County, Florida
| Marion County, Florida | ||
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| County | ||
| Marion County | ||
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Marion County Courthouse in Ocala
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 Location in the U.S. state of Florida |
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 Florida's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | March 14, 1844 | |
| Named for | Francis Marion | |
| Seat | Ocala | |
| Largest city | Ocala | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1,663 sq mi (4,307 km2) | |
| • Land | 1,585 sq mi (4,105 km2) | |
| • Water | 78 sq mi (202 km2), 4.7% | |
| Population (est.) | ||
| • (2015) | 343,254 | |
| • Density | 209/sq mi (81/km²) | |
| Congressional districts | 3rd, 5th, 11th | |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 | |
| Website | www |
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Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 331,298. Its county seat is Ocala.
Marion County comprises the Ocala, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Marion County was created in 1844 from portions of Alachua, Mosquito (Orange), and Hillsborough counties. Until 1853, Marion County included most of what are now Lake and Sumter counties. In 1849, Putnam County was created and took the northeast portion of Marion. Levy County’s creation took some of the western portion of Marion in 1877. The county is named after General Francis Marion of South Carolina, a guerilla fighter and hero of the American Revolutionary War. A large share of the early settlers being natives of South Carolina likely caused the name to be selected. The Act creating the county of Marion of the Territory of Florida was signed on March 14, 1844, by the territorial governor, R. K. Call. Many of the early settlers of Marion County were from South Carolina. The county motto is "Kingdom of the Sun." Farms in the county are known for breeding champion race horses such as Affirmed and Needles.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,663 square miles (4,310 km2), of which 1,585 square miles (4,110 km2) is land and 78 square miles (200 km2) (4.7%) is water.
Marion County is generally composed of rolling hills, some high and some low. The majority of its trees consist of live oaks, pine, and palm trees. Marion County is considered the southernmost county in North Central Florida, and the northernmost county in Central Florida.
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