The Ocala metro is home to 387,697 people (up 11.3% over five years), with a median household income of $58,535. Typical rent of $1,593/month works out to 32.7% of the median household income — above the 30% affordability threshold, a strain signal (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Ocala's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 21.8% |
| Retail trade | 14.2% |
| Professional & management | 11.2% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 9.9% |
| Construction | 8.8% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 32.7% of median income leave little headroom — expect tenant price sensitivity. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Ocala market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,593/month suggests a household income around $64,000/year. The metro's median household income is $58,535.
By workforce share: Education & health care (21.8%), Retail trade (14.2%), Professional & management (11.2%) (Census ACS 5-year).