The Ocala Metro area has a diverse and robust economy that appeals to a wide range of businesses due to its central Florida location, skilled workforce and affordable cost of living. Long known as “Horse Capital of the World®” for our strong equine industry, our area also supports a diverse regional economy of manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and service industries. The proportion of our labor force employed in manufacturing is almost double the average for the State of Florida. A strong and growing service sector is in place to meet the needs of business and individuals. The local transportation sector has nearly doubled in recent years. A regional worforce hub, the Ocala Metro has a population that is growing at more than double the national average ensuring a dynamic and expanding workforce..
Summary of Employment, Demographics, and Commuting Patterns for Marion County, Florida (pdf)
Forbes magazine has named the Ocala MSA to the Top 10 Metros for Future Job Growth for five consecutive years. The Ocala Metro consistently ranks among the top growth metros in Florida especially in the areas of Transportation, Manufacturing, Health Care, and Professional Services. A study by Avalanche Consulting, showed the Ocala Metro ranked in the Top 15 of all metros under 500,000 in the growth of Millennials (25-34) from 2012-2017. The growth rate in the Ocala Metro for this coveted demographic was more than double the national average.
The three-county workforce shed numbers more than 202,000 strong. Ocala is the regional employment hub and attracts employees not only from the three counties but from a region of 6 counties and more than one million residents.