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Marion Oaks, Florida facts for kids

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Marion Oaks, Florida
Marion Oaks Community Center
Marion Oaks Community Center
Marion Oaks, Florida is located in Florida
Marion Oaks, Florida
Marion Oaks, Florida
Location in Florida
Marion Oaks, Florida is located in the United States
Marion Oaks, Florida
Marion Oaks, Florida
Location in the United States
Country  United States
State Florida
County Marion
Area
 • Total 29.53 sq mi (76.5 km2)
 • Land 29.35 sq mi (76.0 km2)
 • Water 0.18 sq mi (0.5 km2)
Elevation
80 ft (20 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 19,034
 • Density 648.5/sq mi (250.4/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
34473 (Ocala)
Area code(s) 352
FIPS code 12-43300
GNIS feature ID 2805178

Marion Oaks is a growing community in Marion County, Florida, United States. It is not officially a city yet, but it is a "census-designated place" (CDP). This means it's an area that the government counts as a community for population statistics. Marion Oaks is part of the larger Ocala area. In 2020, about 19,034 people lived here. The community is thinking about becoming an official city.

Where is Marion Oaks Located?

Marion Oaks is in the southern part of Marion County, Florida. It stretches all the way south to the border of Sumter County, Florida. The community is next to Interstate 75, a major highway. You can get there from Exit 341, which is County Road 484.

Distance to Nearby Cities

  • Ocala, the main city of Marion County, is about 14 miles (22.5 km) north.
  • Bushnell is about 27 miles (43.5 km) south.

Land and Water in Marion Oaks

Marion Oaks covers about 29.5 square miles (76.4 square kilometers) of land. Only a small part, about 0.2 square miles (0.5 square kilometers), is water. This means most of Marion Oaks is dry land.

Learning and Schools in Marion Oaks

Marion Oaks has several schools for younger students. It also offers options for higher education and job training nearby.

Schools for Kids and Teens

There are three main schools in Marion Oaks for younger students:

  • Sunrise Elementary School (for grades K-4)
  • Marion Oaks Elementary (for grades K-4)
  • Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks (for grades 5-8)

Some parts of Marion Oaks are zoned for different high schools. Most students go to Dunnellon High School. Students in the northern part of Marion Oaks attend West Port High School.

Colleges and Job Training

For students who want to continue their education after high school, there are good options nearby:

  • College of Central Florida: This is a large community college serving the Ocala area. It offers many different programs, including bachelor's degrees and vocational training. Vocational training teaches you specific skills for a job, like nursing or welding.
  • University Center: Located on the College of Central Florida campus, this center has satellite campuses for other universities. You can take classes from schools like University of Central Florida and Florida State University here.
  • Marion Technical College (MTC): This college in Ocala focuses on technical training. It prepares students for jobs in fields like healthcare, cybersecurity, cosmetology, and more.

Life in Marion Oaks Community

Marion Oaks was first developed over 30 years ago by the Deltona Corporation. This company is still active in the area today.

Development and Growth

Years ago, home prices in Marion Oaks went up very quickly. This was due to a lot of people buying and selling homes as investments. Later, prices returned to more normal levels. The Deltona Corporation, which started Marion Oaks, has moved its main office to the community. They are now building and selling many new homes because they are affordable and well-built.

Community Facilities and Events

Marion Oaks has many useful places for its residents:

  • Community areas
  • Medical facilities
  • Places of worship
  • A community center with a large auditorium (450 seats)
  • Meeting rooms
  • A public library
  • Sports courts with lights

Every April, Marion Oaks holds a big spring celebration. This event includes a parade, a health fair, a book sale, a talent show, and a car show. There are also many booths selling homemade crafts and different kinds of food.

Keeping Marion Oaks Safe

Public safety services in Marion Oaks are provided by Marion County.

Fire and Rescue Services

Marion Oaks has one fire station. It is located at the corner of Marion Oaks Lane and Marion Oaks Course. This station has 18 full-time firefighters ready to help in emergencies.

Sheriff's Office Services

The Marion County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in Marion Oaks. A team of officers, including a lieutenant, a detective, and eight patrol deputies, are assigned to the area. The Sheriff's Office has a local office inside the Marion Oaks Community Center.

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