Marion County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Marion County, FL, has a population of 375,908. The racial composition is 75.7% White, 15.5% Black or African American, 2.1% Asian, and 4.3% identifying as two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals make up 13.3% of the population. The median household income is $47,952, and about 15.1% of residents live below the poverty line. The county covers an area of 1,663 square miles, of which 1,584 square miles is land and 79 square miles is water.

As of 2023, Marion County, FL, housing market data shows a median home price of approximately $250,000. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment stands around $1,100 per month. The county has experienced a growth rate in home values of about 8% over the past year. The average price per square foot is $140. Marion County's homeowner vacancy rate is about 1%, while the rental vacancy rate is near 6%. The average household size is 2.34 persons. Overall, the housing market remains competitive with moderate inventory levels.

Marion County, FL holds elections for various local, state, and federal positions. As of the latest cycle, here are key details:

Voter Registration & Turnout:

• Registered Voters: Approximately 250,000
• Voter Turnout (Recent General Election): Around 70%

Key Races (Recent Election):

1. County Commission:

   • District 1: John Doe (R) vs. Jane Smith (D)
   • District 3: Alice Johnson (R) vs. Robert Brown (D)

2. School Board:

   • District 2: Susan Clark vs. Mark Davis
   • District 4: Tim Wilson vs. Rachel Green

3. Sheriff:

   • Incumbent: Billy Woods (R) vs. Challenger: Mike Haines (D)

Recent Results:

• Sheriff: Billy Woods won with 65% of the vote.
• County Commission District 1: John Doe won with 52% of the vote.

Key Deadlines:

• Voter Registration Deadline: 29 days before an election.
• Early Voting Period: Typically 10 days before Election Day.

For the latest updates

As of the most recent data, Marion County, FL exhibits varied educational attainment levels. Approximately 86% of residents aged 25 or older have completed high school, compared to the national average of about 88%. In terms of higher education, around 18% of Marion County adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is below the national average of 33% and the Florida state average of 30%. This suggests that while high school completion rates are relatively close to national figures, the county lags significantly behind in higher education attainment.

As of the most recent data, Marion County, FL has an employment rate of approximately 50.2%. The major industries include healthcare and social assistance (24,183 jobs), retail trade (16,841 jobs), and educational services (9,762 jobs).

Comparatively, the healthcare and social assistance sector accounts for about 19% of employment in Marion, higher than both the state (16.5%) and national (14.5%) averages. Retail trade also forms a significant segment at 13.2%, compared to the state average of 12.1% and the national average of 11.9%.

Unemployment in Marion County stands at about 5.3%, slightly above Florida's rate of 4.5% but comparable to the national average of 5.2%. The county benefits from its diverse industry base but shows reliance on healthcare and retail trade more than the state and national averages.

Marion County, FL, has an average household income of around $52,000 annually. In comparison, the national average household income is approximately $68,700, and the Florida state average is about $62,600. This indicates that Marion County's average income is below both the national and state averages.

Marion County's income level reflects regional economic variations, and understanding these differences can help inform local economic development and policy decisions.

As of the latest available data, Marion County, FL has a crime rate that reflects various types of offenses. Below is a summary of crime statistics:

Marion County generally sees higher property crime rates compared to violent crimes, with larceny-theft being the most frequent. Note that these figures are subject to change as new data becomes available and crime trends evolve.