DREW BEDFORDKELLER WILLIAMS CORNERSTONE REALTY

SW Marion County · River town · All ages

Dunnellon, Ocala, FL: Homes, Living & Real Estate Guide

Drew Bedford
By Keller Williams Cornerstone RealtyPublished

A small river town in southwest Marion County where the Rainbow River meets the Withlacoochee, with a historic downtown, riverfront parks and home prices below the county average.

1891incorporated
1,928residents, 2020 census
$234,788median sale price
2rivers meet in town
2.4miles of paved trail
24miles to Ocala

Location

Where it is

Dunnellon sits in the southwest corner of Marion County, about 24 miles southwest of Ocala. US 41 runs through town, heading 24 miles north to Williston and 18 miles south to Inverness.

The Withlacoochee River forms the city's southwest edge and the line with Citrus County, and the Rainbow River joins it right in town before the combined flow heads west toward the Gulf.

The city itself is small, about 9.1 square miles with 1,928 residents at the 2020 census, but plenty of homes outside the city limits carry a Dunnellon address too, including Rainbow Springs Country Club just to the north.

History

Boomtown history

Dunnellon was founded in 1887, two years before phosphate was discovered nearby in 1889, and was incorporated in 1891. It was named after John F.

Dunn, an early settler who worked in the railroad industry. The mining boom that followed was the first of its kind in Florida and lasted until the early 1910s, which is why the town is still known as Boomtown.

Early miners used the Rainbow River, then called Blue Run, to move phosphate, and one of the original mining pits is now the Blue Cove subdivision. Mining shifted south over the years and Dunnellon's last mine closed by the 1960s, but unlike several nearby phosphate towns, Dunnellon survived.

The history still shows in the restored buildings of the downtown historic district.

The rivers

Life on two rivers

The rivers are the main reason people move here. The Marion County parks department describes the Rainbow River as a National Natural Landmark, an Aquatic Preserve and an Outstanding Florida Water, and tubing, kayaking and swimming on it draw tens of thousands of visitors a year.

The city's parks put that water within reach. Blue Run of Dunnellon Park, on E.

Pennsylvania Avenue, has walking and birding trails, a 3-acre pond, Rainbow River access for kayaks and the popular tubing exit. Centennial Park behind City Hall has a boat ramp and floating dock on the Withlacoochee, and the city beach at Chaplin A.

Dinkins, III Memorial Park sits where the two rivers meet, with swimming, picnic tables and a playground.

Amenities

Rivers, parks and a trail

Public parks and river access a few minutes from most Dunnellon homes.

Rainbow River

Tubing, kayaking and swimming on an Outstanding Florida Water.

Blue Run Park

Birding trails, a 3-acre pond and the tubing exit.

Centennial Park

A boat ramp and floating dock on the Withlacoochee.

City beach

Swimming and picnics where the two rivers meet.

Dunnellon Trail

2.4 paved miles over the Withlacoochee bridge.

Local schools

Dunnellon Elementary, Middle and High.

Park details from the City of Dunnellon and Marion County, listed in the sources below.

Things to do

Trails and things to do

The paved Dunnellon Trail runs 2.4 miles, mostly along a historic railroad bed beside the Rainbow River, and crosses the Withlacoochee on a trail bridge that connects Marion and Citrus counties. It opened in May 2015 and is free, open from 8 a.m. to sunset.

Every April, Boomtown Days fills the historic district along West Pennsylvania Avenue, Cedar Street and Ohio Street with vendors, live music, a classic car show, cowboy shootouts and the Queen of the Rainbow pageant. The 2026 festival was April 11.

Market

Home prices and the market

Median sale price$234,7883 months ending Sept. 2026
Price per sq ft$157Median, Redfin
Days on market92Median, up from 33 a year earlier

Redfin figures for the city of Dunnellon; prices vary widely by street. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.

Redfin puts Dunnellon's median sale price at $234,788 for the 3 months ending September 2026, up 10.5% from a year earlier, at a median of $157 per square foot. Homes took a median of 92 days to sell, compared with 33 days a year earlier, so buyers have more time and room to negotiate than they did last year.

Prices vary a lot by street. You'll find older in-town homes, river and canal homes, deed-restricted neighborhoods like Rainbow Springs and rural acreage, all with Dunnellon addresses.

On any home you like, check whether it's in the city limits, whether there's an HOA or POA, and whether it's on city water and sewer or a well and septic, since those details change your monthly costs.

Schools

Schools

Dunnellon Elementary, Dunnellon Middle and Dunnellon High serve much of the area, and the elementary school says most of its students go on to Dunnellon Middle and then Dunnellon High. Dunnellon Elementary has about 640 students.

Romeo Elementary also serves part of the Dunnellon area. Zoning depends on the address, so confirm it with Marion County Public Schools before you buy.

Who it fits

Who Dunnellon fits

It's a great fit if you want small-town Florida, clear spring-fed rivers a few minutes away and home prices below much of Marion County, and you don't mind about a half-hour drive to Ocala. If you'd like a deed-restricted neighborhood with a private river park, look at Rainbow Springs Country Club.

If you'd rather be closer to Ocala's shopping and I-75, compare Marion Oaks or Marion Ranch.

Is it right for you?

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Median sale price of $234,788, below much of the county
  • Two spring-fed rivers right in town
  • Free riverfront parks, a boat ramp and a paved trail
  • Historic downtown and the April Boomtown Days festival
  • Homes sit longer now, so buyers can negotiate

Cons

  • About 24 miles from Ocala
  • Some homes use a well and septic; check each one
  • HOA status varies by neighborhood
  • Rivers draw weekend visitor traffic
  • Want a private river park? See Rainbow Springs

Location

Dunnellon on the map

DunnellonOcala area, Marion County, FL

Open in Google MapsDrag to pan; right-drag or two fingers to tilt and rotate. Imagery © Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics; map © OpenFreeMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Selling in Dunnellon

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Homes for Sale in Dunnellon

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FAQ

Dunnellon FAQ

Where is Dunnellon, FL?

In southwest Marion County on US 41, about 24 miles southwest of Ocala. The Withlacoochee River forms its border with Citrus County. Source

How many people live in Dunnellon?

The city had 1,928 residents at the 2020 census, with a median age of 58.5. Many more people live just outside the city limits with Dunnellon addresses. Source

What is the median home price in Dunnellon?

Redfin reports a median sale price of $234,788 for the 3 months ending September 2026, up 10.5% year over year. Source

Why is Dunnellon called Boomtown?

Phosphate was discovered nearby in 1889, setting off Florida's first phosphate mining boom, which lasted until the early 1910s. Source

Where can you get on the Rainbow River in Dunnellon?

Blue Run of Dunnellon Park has Rainbow River access for kayaks and is a popular tubing exit, and the city beach sits where the Rainbow and Withlacoochee rivers meet. Source

Is there a boat ramp in Dunnellon?

Yes. Centennial Park, behind City Hall, has a boat ramp and floating dock on the Withlacoochee River. Source

How long is the Dunnellon Trail?

2.4 miles, paved, mostly along a historic railroad bed beside the Rainbow River. It's free and open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Source

When is Boomtown Days in Dunnellon?

Every April in the historic district. The 2026 festival was on April 11. Source

What schools serve Dunnellon?

Dunnellon Elementary, Dunnellon Middle and Dunnellon High serve much of the area, and Romeo Elementary serves part of it. Confirm zoning by address. Source

What ZIP codes does Dunnellon have?

34430, 34431 and 34432. Source

Nearby communities

Sources

Drew Bedford, REALTOR®, Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty, 1918 SE 17 St, Ocala, FL 34471. Florida license # SL3588936. Each Keller Williams office is independently owned and operated. Information on this page comes from the public sources listed above, was gathered in October 2026, and is believed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.