Marion Oaks is an

unincorporated community An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...

and

census-designated place A census-designated place (CDP) is a Place (United States Census Bureau), concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only. CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the count ...

(CDP) in Marion County,

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...

, United States. It is part of the

Ocala Ocala ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Marion County within the northern region of Florida, United States. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city's population was 63,591, making it the 54th most populated city in Florida. Home to ...

Metropolitan Statistical Area In the United States, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are neither legally incorporated as a city or tow ...

. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,034. The community is currently exploring becoming an incorporated city.

Geography

The community is in southern Marion County, extending south to the Sumter County line. It is bordered to the east by

Interstate 75 Interstate 75 (I-75) is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. As with most Interstates that end in 5, it is a major cross-country, north–south route, traveling from St ...

, with access from Exit 341 ( County Road 484). Ocala, the

county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US st ...

, is to the north, and Bushnell is to the south. According to the

U.S. Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

, the Marion Oaks CDP has a total area of , of which , or 0.62%, are water.

Education

Compulsory education

Marion Oaks has three schools: Sunrise Elementary School (K-4), Marion Oaks Elementary (K-4), and Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks (5-8). Marion Oaks Elementary has an ESE wing. The majority of Marion Oaks is zoned for Sunrise Elementary School, Horizon Academy and Dunnellon High School. The Northern section of Marion Oaks is zoned for Marion Oaks Elementary and West Port High School.

College and vocational

College of Central Florida The College of Central Florida (CF) is a public college with campuses in Marion, Citrus, and Levy counties. It is part of the Florida College System. Founded in 1957 as Central Florida Junior College, CF has grown to span three counties and incl ...

is a large community college which provides service to the entire Ocala metro area. CF offers multiple programs of study including bachelor's degrees and vocational training. Also on the campus is the University Center which houses satellites for state and private schools including

University of Central Florida The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university whose main campus is in unincorporated Orange County, Florida. UCF also has nine smaller regional campuses throughout central Florida. It is part of the State University ...

, Florida State University,

University of Florida The University of Florida (Florida or UF) is a public land-grant research university in Gainesville, Florida. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida, traces its origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its ...

and

St. Leo University Saint Leo University is a private Roman Catholic liberal arts university in St. Leo, Florida. It was established in 1889. The university is associated with the Holy Name Monastery, a Benedictine convent, and Saint Leo Abbey, a Benedictine monaste ...

. Also serving the area is Marion Technical College. MTC is a vocational training center in Ocala which provides technical training for various medical specialties and numerous other fields including welding, cybersecurity, cosmetology, and massage.

About Marion Oaks

Marion Oaks was developed by the Deltona Corporationhttps://www.deltona.com/ more than thirty years ago. The real estate prices and taxes rose dramatically during the 2000s (far beyond the norm due to heavy investing and speculation); this happened only to fall back to more reasonable levels by the end of the decade. Deltona Corporation, the developer of Marion Oaks, has relocated their headquarters in the community. Currently, Deltona is building and selling newly developed single family homes in the Marion Oaks community at an increasingly fast rate due to affordability and quality construction. Marion Oaks has community areas, medical facilities, houses of worship, and a community center with a 450-seat auditorium, meeting rooms, a public library, and recreational facilities such as lighted multi-purpose sports courts. Marion Oaks holds a spring celebration every year in April. The celebration includes a parade, health fair, book sale, talent show, car show, and many booths selling everything from homemade crafts to ethnic foods that are popular in the area.

Emergency services

Marion Oaks public safety services are currently provided by Marion County.

Fire and rescue

Marion Oaks has one fire station, which is located at the corner of Marion Oaks Lane and Marion Oaks Course. The fire station currently has 18 career firefighters.

Sheriff's office

Law enforcement for Marion Oaks is provided by the Marion County Sheriff's Office. A lieutenant, detective and eight patrol deputies are assigned to the area. The MCSO has a district office located in the Marion Oaks Community Center on Marion Oaks Lane at the intersection of Marion Oaks Boulevard.

References

{{authority control Census-designated places in Marion County, Florida Census-designated places in Florida Unincorporated communities in Marion County, Florida Unincorporated communities in Florida