Recent reports confirm what locals already know: Marion County is growing fast. Ocala was ranked No. 1 in growth cities for the third time in four years by U-Haul’s Growth Index, while Florida ranked No. 2 nationally for net one-way U-Haul customers.
Marion County is now home to more than 400,000 residents and continues to add approximately 220 new residents each week. At this pace, the County’s population is projected to grow by more than 125,000 residents, reaching an estimated 550,000 by 2050, according to the Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR).
A Staggering Number of Approved Residential Units
A report presented at the County’s Strategic Planning Workshop in May 2022 revealed that more than 135,000 residential units have already been approved. Over 50,000 units were approved between 2017 and 2022 alone. A majority of these approvals include more than 86,000 undeveloped lots, many of which were approved decades ago in areas such as Marion Oaks and Silver Springs Shores.
As development pressure mounts along the edge of the Farmland Preservation Area and the Urban Growth Boundary, Horse Farms Forever is closely monitoring development proposals that threaten horse farms, rural lands, and protected agricultural areas.
The Cost of Rapid Growth
This rapid population growth has placed significant strain on local infrastructure. Residents experience heavier traffic, schools operating at or beyond capacity, and a list of transportation projects estimated to cost more than $1.5 billion over the next 20 years, according to the Benesch study on the transportation impact fees.
Communities across the country have studied the fiscal impacts of growth through Cost of Community Services (COCS) studies. These studies consistently show that residential development often costs more in public services than it generates in revenue, while commercial and industrial development, as well as farmland, helps to offset those losses.
Act Now to Protect Horse Farms
Marion County stands at a critical crossroads. Development pressures are rising, making the protection of its farmland more important now than ever. Acting now is essential to ensure future generations inherit a county that is economically viable and rich in agricultural heritage. Join our efforts to preserve our open spaces and beautiful places today.
