How fast will Marion County grow over the next 20 years?
The population is estimated to grow to nearly 500,000 residents by 2040. That’s an increase of about 100,000 new people living and working in Marion County.
You can help plan for this growth! Marion County is updating its policies in the Comprehensive Plan through the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR). The Comprehensive Plan is like a road map for the community and it will guide where and how Marion County grows over the next 20 years.
Planning for the next 20 years is important and your feedback on how best to manage growth and guide the community’s vision for the future will help keep Marion County an amazing place to live!
Ensure Your Voice is Heard
1. Fill out the Survey:
Complete the Beyond 2024 Survey and Map Survey
2. Attend the EAR Workshop!
Want to be part of the visioning process? Marion County is hosting workshops throughout the County. Workshops are open to the public and residents.
The workshops will be held at different locations in the County to make it easy for residents to attend. There are two workshops near the Farmland Preservation Area:
Wednesday, July 17 at the Sparr United Methodist Church
11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
13100 NE Jacksonville Road, Sparr, FL 32192
Thursday, July 25 at Golden Hills Country Club
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
4782 NW 80th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34482
We believe that horses create the character and culture that make Marion County unique and special. For there to be horses, there must be horse farms. In Marion County, there is about one horse for every four people. The equine industry contributes about one-fifth of the economy and one-fifth of the jobs. In addition, rural farmland creates open spaces that act as filtration for the Floridian aquifer which is at the source of all life in Florida. Further, the Farmland Preservation Area acts as a protective umbrella for the primary and secondary protection zones for Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs.
Always Watching
We work hard to keep you informed, and to represent our members' interests in preserving our horse farms, farmland and the unique character and culture of Marion County's 193,000 acre Farmland Preservation Area.
Join the herd. Every voice matters.