Is Anthony safe?
Ocala, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Anthony as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Anthony
“Go. Anthony is a calm, rural community north of Ocala dominated by horse farms, residential acreage, and quiet county roads. Visitors stopping by local markets or driving through the countryside will encounter minimal crime, though standard rural caution applies at night.”
About the area
Anthony is an unincorporated community in Marion County featuring sprawling pastures, equestrian facilities, and traditional Florida homesteads. It offers a relaxed, rural atmosphere away from Ocala's commercial corridors while maintaining easy access to Highway 301 and Interstate 75.
- Rural & Equestrian
- Quiet Countryside
- Car-Dependent
- Sprawling Acreage
Walking and biking in Anthony
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There are no bike-share stations or dedicated bike lanes in the area; road cycling is common on paved country lanes but requires sharing narrow roads with vehicular traffic.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low rates of violent crime and stranger-on-stranger offenses compared to urban cores
- High homeownership rate creating stable, long-standing residential properties
- Peaceful, low-density rural setting with minimal traffic congestion
Cons
- Virtually non-existent street lighting on narrow rural backroads at night
- Reliance on Marion County Sheriff's Office patrol beats with extended rural response times
- High dependence on personal vehicles with zero public utility sidewalks or crosswalks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Anthony, as emergency shelters and support services are located south in central Ocala.
What Anthony is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with local farm trucks, horse trailers, and sunrise commuters.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Slow and steady pace around local intersections and country stores with clear visibility.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and tranquil as commercial activity winds down and residential roads empty out.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black and secluded with almost no activity; safe from crime but hazardous for pedestrian movement due to dark, narrow roads.
Transit, parking and getting around
Ocala's local transit system, SunTran, does not provide fixed-route bus services out to rural Anthony, making personal vehicle travel or rideshares necessary.
Free and abundant off-street surface parking is available at all local businesses and community facilities; no paid meters or parking garages exist.
Things to do in Anthony
- Drive through scenic horse farms and oak-canopied corridors along County Road 329
- Shop for regional goods, feed, and country hardware at historic local supply outposts
- Access nearby Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway trailheads for horse riding and hiking
Local favorites
- Anthony Pizzeria & Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (430)Longstanding local favorite serving hand-tossed pizzas, calzones, and classic pasta dishes.
- Sparr Building and Farm Supply · Farm & Hardware Store · 4.7★ (1150)Expansive agricultural, fencing, and hardware hub catering to local ranches and homeowners.
- Country Boy Produce Market · Produce Market · 4.8★ (160)Open-air country stand offering fresh Florida citrus, seasonal vegetables, and local honey.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.