From the Ocala National Forest being ranked one of the top 25 best places to travel in the world, to the city being recognized as one of the top 100 best places to live, the city of Ocala made national headlines several times in 2024. Here are seven of those instances that we reported this year:
- National Geographic named the Ocala National Forest to its Best of the World 2025 annual list that highlights 25 “awe-inspiring” places to travel. The popular magazine compiled the list through its team of travel explorers and photographers, as well as Nat Geo Traveller‘s international editorial teams. Read more
- Earlier this year, Travel + Leisure profiled the city of Ocala for its “fair share of cool things,” including the forest, Silver Springs State Park, and the World Equestrian Center. In late 2023, the magazine said Ocala was one of the most beautiful places in Florida.
- In August, the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau’s website was one of five finalists for the United States Travel Association’s award for best destination website. The website was edged out by another Florida-based city. Read more.
- In July, TIME magazine named the World Equestrian Center to its list of the “World’s Greatest places” to visit and stay. That list featured 100 of the best hotels, cruises, restaurants, attractions, museums, parks, and other international destinations to visit and stay. Read more.
- In May, U.S. News & World Report recognized Ocala as one of the top 100 Best Places to Live in the United States for 2024-2025. The city ranked #78 on the list, making with the report citing Ocala’s “good value” and desirability as a “place to live,” as well as its “strong job market and a high quality of life.” Read more.
- In June, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that Ocala has the fastest-growing Hispanic population among metropolitan areas across the United States. According to the latest estimates, from 2022 to 2023, Ocala and Homosassa Springs tied for the fastest-growing Hispanic populations among U.S. metropolitan areas that have at least 10,000 Hispanic residents. Read more.
- Just a few months before, the Census Bureau reported that Ocala/Marion County had one of the highest migration rates in the country. According to the organization, the ten counties with the highest levels of “positive net domestic migration” in 2023 included three counties from the Sunshine State: Polk, Pasco, and Marion. Read more.
Every Friday through the rest of the year, as well as December 30 (Monday) and December 31 (Tuesday), Ocala-News.com will publish year-end stories about various topics, including all the new restaurants, large real estate transactions, and developments that came up in 2024. Check back every Friday to read the next installment.
