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Marion County is a county located in the U.S. State of Florida. As of 2000, the population is 258,916. Its county seat is Ocala, Florida 6.
Marion County was created in 1844. The county is named after General Francis Marion, a guerilla fighter and hero of the American Revolutionary War.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,307 km˛ (1,663 mi˛). 4,089 km˛ (1,579 mi˛) of it is land and 218 km˛ (84 mi˛) of it is water. The total area is 5.06% water. It is coterminous with the Ocala Metroplitan Area .
As of the census 2 of 2000, there are 258,916 people, 106,755 households, and 74,621 families residing in the county. The population density is 63/km˛ (164/mi˛). There are 122,663 housing units at an average density of 30/km˛ (78/mi˛). The racial makeup of the county is 84.16% White, 11.55% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. 6.03% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 106,755 households out of which 24.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% are married couples living together, 10.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% are non-families. 25.00% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.36 and the average family size is 2.79.
In the county the population is spread out with 21.40% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 23.80% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 24.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 44 years. For every 100 females there are 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $31,944, and the median income for a family is $37,473. Males have a median income of $28,836 versus $21,855 for females. The per capita income for the county is $17,848. 13.10% of the population and 9.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.20% of those under the age of 18 and 7.40% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.