38-625: Dunnellon is a city in Marion County , Florida , United States. The population was 1,928 at the 2020 census , up from 1,733 in 2010 . It is part of the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area . Dunnellon was founded in 1887, two years before the 1889 discovery of phosphate in the area. It was officially incorporated as a city in 1891. The subsequent mining boom, the first of its kind in Florida, lasted until
76-548: A cavalry unit organized and financed by William A. Owens, Marion Hornets , commanded by Captain Wade Eichelberger , and the Marion Light Artillery , commanded at one time by John Marshall Martin . The Civil War and its aftermath disrupted local society and strained the economy. The population declined in its wake as many African Americans moved to towns or cities for better opportunities. During
114-498: A household in the city was $ 27,386, and the median income for a family was $ 35,313. Males had a median income of $ 29,605 versus $ 22,045 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 17,905. About 10.4% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line , including 26.7% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over. County roads include County Roads 40, 336, and 484, all three of which run along Pennsylvania Avenue. Dunnellon had four railroad lines in
152-722: A household in the county was $ 31,944, and the median income for a family was $ 37,473. Males had a median income of $ 28,836 versus $ 21,855 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 17,848. About 9.20% of families and 13.10% of the population were below the poverty line , including 20.20% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over. The county is governed by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners. The five-person board currently consists of Craig Curry, Kathy Bryant, Matt McClain, Carl Zalak and Michelle Stone. [1] The Florida Department of Corrections operates facilities in unincorporated areas in
190-410: Is about a two-hour drive from Marion County to many of Florida's major cities; Orlando is 75 minutes to the southeast, while Daytona Beach is about 90 minutes to the east. Tampa is about 75 minutes to the southwest, Jacksonville is roughly a two-hour drive northeast, and Miami is about six hours to the southeast. There are several significant lakes within or bordering Marion County. Orange Lake
228-533: Is bordered to the southwest by the Withlacoochee River , which forms the border with Citrus County . Dunnellon is bordered to the north by unincorporated Rainbow Springs . U.S. Route 41 passes through the city, leading north 24 miles (39 km) to Williston and south 18 miles (29 km) to Inverness . Ocala , the Marion county seat , is 24 miles (39 km) to the northeast. According to
266-480: Is in the far northern part of Marion County, near the border with Alachua County . Lake Kerr is in the northeastern part of the county, near the town of Salt Springs , which is near the border with Putnam County . Lake Weir , the largest of the three, is in the far southern region, near the border with Lake County . Part of Lake George is also in Marion County. Marion County is inland, centered between
304-451: Is often difficult, since methodologies, definitions and data quality can vary greatly. Since the 1990s, the OECD has conducted regular surveys among its 38 member countries using a standardized methodology and set of questions. Per capita income is often used to measure a sector's average income and compare the wealth of different populations. Per capita income is also often used to measure
342-562: Is supervised under the Marion County School District . The Marion County Public Library System operates eight branch libraries. CSX operates one rail line within the county. Amtrak formerly provided passenger rail service to Ocala Union Station , but the stop was terminated in late 2004. The line is a former Seaboard Airline Railroad line known as the Wildwood Subdivision , and is part of
380-531: The Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. Because of this, the area is generally not affected as much by hurricanes as the more coastal counties to its east and west. The largest threats from natural disasters are high winds and flooding; tornadoes are also of concern. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 375,908 people, 145,863 households, and 94,676 families residing in
418-551: The Köppen climate classification , the City of Dunnellon has a humid subtropical climate zone ( Cfa ). As of the 2020 United States census , there were 1,928 people, 1,272 households, and 546 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 1,733 people, 824 households, and 377 families residing in the city. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,898 people, 950 households, and 555 families residing in
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#1732791394948456-695: The Triple Crown . Today, Marion County is a major world thoroughbred center with more than 1200 horse farms. There are about 900 thoroughbred farms, totaling some 77,000 acres (310 km ). Ocala is well known as a "horse capital of the world." The nearby community of Silver Springs developed around the Silver Springs , a group of artesian springs on the Silver River . In the 19th century, this site became Florida's first tourist destination. Today, well known for glass-bottom boat tours of
494-471: The U.S. Census Bureau , Marion is the fifth largest county in the state, with a total area of 4,310 km (1,660 sq mi), of which 3,962 km (1,530 sq mi) is land and 195 km (75 sq mi) (4.7%) is water. Marion County is generally composed of rolling hills, much like most of the rest of Florida. The highest elevation is about 60 meters (200 feet). The majority of its trees consist of live oaks, pines, and palm trees. It
532-607: The U.S. state of Florida . As of the 2020 census , the population was 375,908. Its county seat is Ocala . Marion County comprises the Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . It includes part of Ocala National Forest , which also extends into three other counties. Evidence of ancient indigenous cultures has been found in Marion County, as well as of the earliest encounter between European explorers and historic indigenous peoples. In 1976, an archaeological investigation found ancient artifacts in Marion County that appear to be
570-642: The United States Census Bureau , Dunnellon has a total area of 9.1 square miles (24 km), of which 8.8 square miles (23 km) are land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km), or 3.27%, are water. The Rainbow River joins the Withlacoochee River in Dunnellon, with the combined flow leading west toward the Gulf of Mexico . The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to
608-462: The 2001 horror film Jeepers Creepers , with a great deal of location work on Tiger Trail (a.k.a. High School Road), the road to Dunnellon High School, officially known as SW 180th Avenue Rd., just outside Rainbow Springs State Park . Dunnellon is located in southwestern Marion County at 29°3′N 82°27′W / 29.050°N 82.450°W / 29.050; -82.450 (29.0500, –82.4555), 76 miles (122 km) due north of Tampa . It
646-807: The CSX-S Line. Nearby that line within Ocala is a former line owned by the Florida Northern Railroad , which was previously owned by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad . It begins in Candler running northwest along Marion County Road 464 towards Ocala Union Station then continues northwest along Marion County 25A to Lowell . Another FNOR rail line includes a freight line to the Crystal River Energy Complex in northern Citrus County, which
684-797: The area, Silver Springs is owned by the State of Florida; it was incorporated into Silver Springs State Park in 2013. Other nearby natural attractions include the Ocala National Forest and the Florida Trail . Several prominent man-made attractions in the Ocala area existed in the past, such as the Western-themed Six Gun Territory theme park (operated from 1963 to 1984) and the Wild Waters water park (operated from 1978 to 2016). According to
722-500: The average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such as the American Community Survey . This allows the calculation of per capita income for both the country as a whole and specific regions or demographic groups. However, comparing per capita income across different countries
760-424: The city. The population density was 269.3 inhabitants per square mile (104.0/km). There were 1,128 dwelling units at an average density of 160.0 per square mile (61.8/km). The racial makeup of the city was 85.72% White , 11.85% African American , 0.11% Native American , 0.53% Asian , 0.05% Pacific Islander , 0.47% from other races , and 1.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.79% of
798-704: The county's namesake. The Act creating the county of Marion of the Territory of Florida was signed on March 14, 1844, by the territorial governor, R. K. Call . The county motto is "Kingdom of the Sun." Marion County was a hotbed of secessionist activity. Organizers petitioned the state to host the Florida Secession Convention and break away from the United States with other Southern states. The area had many plantations and more than half of
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#1732791394948836-766: The county, including the Lowell Correctional Institution , and the Lowell Annex which houses Florida's female death row. Marion County's Sheriff's Office was in the news in August 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida after Sheriff Billy Woods forbade the wearing of masks by deputies unless in high risk areas, such as the hospital. Visitors to the Sheriff's Office are also required to not cover their face. County public education
874-524: The county. As of the census of 2000, there were 258,916 people, 106,755 households, and 74,621 families residing in the county. The population density was 164 people per square mile (63 people/km ). There were 122,663 dwelling units at an average density of 78 per square mile (30/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 84.16% White , 11.55% Black or African American , 0.45% Native American , 0.70% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 1.69% from other races , and 1.44% from two or more races. 6.03% of
912-669: The early 1910s. The original mining took place in and around the Rainbow River (then called Blue Run,) using the river's natural flow to transport phosphates. One of the original mining pits is now called the 'Blue Cove' subdivision. Phosphate industry operations began to shift south to the Polk County area, and by the 1960s, Dunnellon's last mine closed. Dunnellon survived the bust period, unlike other nearby phosphate towns including Romeo, LeRoy, Brewster, and Parkersburg. Areas in and around Dunnellon served as filming locations for
950-768: The first Florida-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby . In 1978 Affirmed from Harbor View Farm won the Triple Crown . Carl G. Rose , who had come to Florida in 1916 from Indiana to oversee construction of the first asphalt road in the state, is credited with developing the first thoroughbred horse farm in 1943. As an engineer, he had become familiar with the area's limestone, which he realized supported good pasture for raising strong horses. (Limestone also nurtures central Kentucky's noted Bluegrass Region .) In 1943, Rose bought land along State Highway 200, at $ 10 per acre, establishing Rosemere Farm. The next year one of his horses, Gornil, won at Miami's Tropical Park , becoming
988-467: The first Florida-raised thoroughbred to win a Florida race. This raised the profile of Marion County in the racing world. Close on Rose's heels, entrepreneur Bonnie Heath set up his own thoroughbred farm, producing Needles . In 1956 the horse was the state's first native-bred winner of the Kentucky Derby . (see further below). Bonnie Heath Farm is owned and operated by Bonnie Heath III and his wife Kim. In 1978, Marion County-bred-and-raised Affirmed won
1026-617: The oldest in mainland United States. Excavations at an ancient stone quarry (on the Container Corporation of America site (8Mf154) in Marion County) yielded "crude stone implements". Thousands of pieces of chert were found at the site. These showed signs of extensive wear and were found in deposits below those holding Paleo-Indian artifacts. Thermoluminescence dating and weathering analysis independently gave dates of 26,000 to 28,000 Years Before Present (YBP) for
1064-637: The past: two owned by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad , one owned by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad and one owned by the Florida Northern Railroad . A boat launching area exists along the Withlacoochee River . Just outside the city, the Dunnellon/Marion County Airport can be found along CR 484. Marion County, Florida Marion County is a county located in the North Central region of
1102-608: The population was enslaved African Americans . Several Confederate Army units were organized by plantation owners, including the Marion Rifle Guards , organized May 2, 1861, by Captain W.L. Fletcher, county treasurer. It served as part of the Fourth Florida Infantry under Col. Edward Hopkins. Other company's included the Hammock Guards , commanded by Captain J.S. Hopkins; Marion Dragoons ,
1140-535: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. According to the 2000 Census the largest European ancestry groups in Marion County were English (18.7%), German (16.7%) and Irish (14.0%). There were 106,755 households, out of which 24.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who
1178-403: The population. In 2000, there were 950 households, out of which 18.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.5% were non-families. 37.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
Dunnellon, Florida - Misplaced Pages Continue
1216-401: The post-Reconstruction period, there was considerable racial violence in Marion County. Locals lynched between 19 and 26 African Americans in the county from the 1880s to 1935. Since the mid-20th century, thoroughbred horse farms have been established in the county. Such thoroughbred farms have become known for such race champions as Needles , bred at Bonnie Heath Farm, and in 1956, becoming
1254-546: The production of these artifacts, prior to Clovis points . The findings suggested human habitation in this area much earlier than documented by other evidence. Barbara Purdy had bipoint evidence from the CCA site, which also predated Clovis points, which she reported in a 2008 paper. The county seat of Ocala, Florida , is named for a Timucuan village visited and recorded by the Spanish Hernando de Soto expedition in
1292-405: The sixteenth century. During the colonial period, Spain and Great Britain traded control of this area. After acquisition of the Florida territory by the United States in the 1820s, Marion County was created in 1844 from portions of Alachua , Mosquito ( Orange ), and Hillsborough counties. Until 1853, Marion County included most of what are now Lake and Sumter counties. In 1849, Putnam County
1330-410: Was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.59. In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 17.2% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 17.7% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 35.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.8 males. In 2000, the median income for
1368-458: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.79. In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.40% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 23.80% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 24.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.90 males. The median income for
1406-596: Was created and took the northeast portion of Marion. Levy County's creation took some of the western portion of Marion in 1877, near the end of the Reconstruction era. Marion County is named after General Francis Marion of South Carolina , a guerrilla fighter and hero of the American Revolutionary War who was known as the "Swamp Fox". Numerous early settlers of this area were natives of South Carolina and likely picked their local hero as
1444-519: Was previously owned by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad . It runs primarily along US 41 between the Citrus and Levy County Lines. Other lines that used to run through Marion County were either converted into rail trails or abandoned. Local bus service is provided by SunTran . 29°13′N 82°04′W / 29.21°N 82.06°W / 29.21; -82.06 Per capita income Per capita income ( PCI ) or average income measures
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