The Ocala metro area (defined as all of Marion County) grew 3.4% between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That was the strongest growth, in percentage terms, of any U.S. metro area.
Here’s what we know:
Is the Ocala population growth a trend?
Yes. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual one-year checks, Ocala also ranked first nationally for the 2023–24 period (4% growth) and was fourth nationally for 2022–23 ( 3.4% growth).
How much did Ocala grow between 2024 and 2025?
From 427,995 to 442,260. The population has grown from 375,892 in 2020. That is an increase of 66,368 people, or 17.65%, over five years.
Which other U.S. metro areas were in the Top 10 for percentage growth?
- Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 3.2%
- Spartanburg, South Carolina, 2.8%
- Lakeland-Winter Haven, 2.7%
- Punta Gorda, 2.7%
- Huntsville, Alabama, 2.6%
- Wilmington, North Carolina, 2.6%
- St. George, Utah, 2.5%
- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Arkansas, 2.4%
- Raleigh-Cary, North Carolina, 2.4%
According to the Census Bureau, “310 of the 387 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (metro areas) had slower growth between 2024 and 2025 than during the prior year.”…