County population in 2014: 256,380 (79% urban, 21% rural); it was 217,955 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 36,787 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 17,981 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 48,084 Renter-occupied apartments: 45,748 (it was 39,425 in 2000)
% of renters here:
45%
State:
33%
Land area: 874 sq. mi.
Water area: 94.9 sq. mi.
Population density: 293 people per square mile (high).
Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Alachua County: 88.7 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Industries providing employment: Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (25.6%), Educational, health and social services (24.9%).
Estimated median household income in 2015: $47,895 ($31,426 in 1999)
This county:
$47,895
Florida:
$49,426
Median contract rent in 2015 for apartments: $720 (lower quartile is $540, upper quartile is $986)
This county:
$720
State:
$890
Estimated median house or condo value in 2015: $170,900 (it was $88,400 in 2000)
Alachua:
$170,900
Florida:
$179,800
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $105,300 - $266,900
Mean price in 2015:
Detached houses: $213,250
Here:
$213,250
State:
$278,429
Townhouses or other attached units: $174,560
Here:
$174,560
State:
$213,076
In 3-to-4-unit structures: $89,565
Here:
$89,565
State:
$182,333
In 5-or-more-unit structures: $200,786
Here:
$200,786
State:
$259,071
Mobile homes: $80,712
Here:
$80,712
State:
$67,722
Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $1,366 Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $482
Institutionalized population: 2,899
Crime in 2005 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
Murders: 2
Rapes: 72
Robberies: 113
Assaults: 840
Burglaries: 1147
Thefts: 2234
Auto thefts: 253
Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
Murders: 1
Rapes: 53
Robberies: 110
Assaults: 761
Burglaries: 1178
Thefts: 2380
Auto thefts: 231
Health of residents in Alachua County based on CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Questionnaires from 2003 to 2012:
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) is 3.6. This is about average. 75.4% of residents exercised in the past month. This is about average. 46.0% of residents smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lives. This is about average. 98.9% of adult residents drank alcohol in the past 30 days. This is more than average. 63.7% of residents visited a dentist within the past year. This is less than average. Average weight of males is 189 pounds. This is about average. Average weight of females is 162 pounds. This is about average.
Single-family new house construction building permits:
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2015: $2,128 (1.2%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2015: $1,752 (1.1%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 21.7%
(16.6% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 35.6% for Black residents, 31.2% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 18.2% for American Indian residents, 52.6% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 32.1% for other race residents, 26.9% for two or more races residents)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 21.7%
Alachua County:
21.7%
Florida:
15.7%
(16.6% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 35.6% for Black residents, 29.7% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 12.3% for American Indian residents, 52.6% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 27.1% for other race residents, 23.5% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2015: 31 years old
(Males: 30 years old, Females: 31 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 35 years old, Black residents: 28 years old, American Indian residents: 31 years old, Asian residents: 25 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 25 years old, Other race residents: 26 years old)
Area name: Gainesville, FL MSA Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Alachua County is $550 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $626 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $915 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Alachua County: Log Landing (A), Rock Bluff Landing (B), Iris Railroad Station (C), Mona Railroad Station (D), Gilchrist County Emergency Medical Services Medic 1 (E), Gilchrist County Emergency Medical Services Medic 2 (F), Gilchrist County Fire and Rescue Station 4 (G), Gilchrist County Fire and Rescue Station 2 (H), Central Florida Electric Cooperative Neals Substation (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Alachua County include: Bethel Church (A), Bell Church (B), Bethel Church (C), Pleasant Grove Church (D), Pleasant Hill Church (E), Priscilla Church (F), New Hope Church (G), Mount Nebo Church (H), Mount Horeb Baptist Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Osceola Cemetery (1), Joppa Cemetery (2), Mount Horeb Cemetery (3), Trenton Cemetery (4), Townsend Cemetery (5), Shady Grove Cemetery (6). Display/hide their locations on the map
Lakes, reservoirs, and swamps: Mill Pond (A), Bagget Lake (B), Bay Horse Pond (C), Goose Pond (D), Smiths Prairie (E), Grass Pond (F), Morgan Pond (G), Bird Pond (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 53,371 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 88.1% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 38.7%
Number of foreign born residents: 15,895 (37% naturalized citizens)
Alachua County:
7.3%
Whole state:
16.7%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 5,131
1990 to 1994: 3,019
1985 to 1989: 1,998
1980 to 1984: 1,950
1975 to 1979: 1,072
1970 to 1974: 673
1970 to 1974: 528
1965 to 1969: 1,524
Note: State values scaled to Alachua County population
Mean travel time to work (commute): 21.1 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 93.1%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 46,259
One, attached: 3,241
Two: 2,892
3 or 4: 6,858
5 to 9: 9,321
10 to 19: 7,211
20 or more: 8,276
Mobile homes: 10,973
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 82
Housing units in Alachua County with a mortgage: 25,745 (2,251 second mortgage, 2,180 home equity loan, 92 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 10,335
Here:
71.4% with mortgage
State:
71.7% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Alachua County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Evangelical Protestant
47,845
173
Catholic
20,004
6
Mainline Protestant
18,361
57
Other
10,974
34
Black Protestant
5,424
30
Orthodox
233
2
None
144,495
-
Alachua County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 45
Alachua County:
1.88 / 10,000 pop.
State:
2.04 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 1
Here:
0.04 / 10,000 pop.
Florida:
0.11 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 30
This county:
1.25 / 10,000 pop.
Florida:
1.28 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 115
Alachua County:
4.80 / 10,000 pop.
Florida:
3.04 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 156
This county:
6.52 / 10,000 pop.
State:
7.45 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Alachua County:
7.9%
Florida:
9.2%
Adult obesity rate:
Alachua County:
24.6%
State:
23.7%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
10.8%
State:
14.0%
Agriculture in Alachua County:
Average size of farms: 149 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $39,293 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $957.72 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 18.96% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 35.87% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $40,986 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 17.64% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 30.68% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $23,887 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 90.56% Average age of principal farm operators: 57 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 22.00 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 5.09% Corn for grain: 777 harvested acres Vegetables: 5,887 harvested acres Land in orchards: 2,179 acres
Tornado activity:
Alachua County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Florida state average. It is 15996515.5 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 6 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 4/23/1983, a category 2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado injured 6 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Alachua County-area historical earthquake activity is slightly above Florida state average. It is 95% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 9/10/2006 at 14:56:08, a magnitude 5.9 (5.9 MB, 5.5 MS, 5.8 MW, Depth: 8.7 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 351.5 miles away from Alachua County center On 8/2/1974 at 08:52:09, a magnitude 4.9 (4.3 MB, 4.9 LG, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 290.3 miles away from the county center On 11/22/1974 at 05:25:55, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 MB) earthquake occurred 259.1 miles away from the county center On 10/24/1997 at 08:35:17, a magnitude 4.9 (4.8 MB, 4.2 MS, 4.9 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 308.5 miles away from the county center On 11/11/2002 at 23:39:29, a magnitude 4.4 (4.0 MB, 4.4 LG, Depth: 1.5 mi) earthquake occurred 237.8 miles away from Alachua County center On 8/21/1992 at 16:31:55, a magnitude 4.4 (4.1 MB, 4.1 LG, 4.4 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 268.9 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
Florida Hurricane Hermine, Incident Period: August 31, 2016 to September 11, 2016, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4280: September 28, 2016, FEMA Id: 4280, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Florida Tropical Storm Fay, Incident Period: August 18, 2008 to September 12, 2008, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1785: August 24, 2008, FEMA Id: 1785, Natural disaster type: Tropical Storm
Florida Tropical Storm Fay, Incident Period: August 18, 2008 to September 12, 2008, Emergency Declared EM-3288: August 21, 2008, FEMA Id: 3288, Natural disaster type: Tropical Storm
Florida Suwannee Fire Complex, Incident Period: May 07, 2007 to December 31, 1969, Fire Management Assistance Declared: May 07, 2007, FEMA Id: 2689, Natural disaster type: Fire
Florida Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3220: September 05, 2005, FEMA Id: 3220, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Florida Hurricane Jeanne, Incident Period: September 24, 2004 to November 17, 2004, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1561: September 26, 2004, FEMA Id: 1561, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Florida Hurricane Frances, Incident Period: September 03, 2004 to October 08, 2004, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1545: September 04, 2004, FEMA Id: 1545, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Florida Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie, Incident Period: August 11, 2004 to August 30, 2004, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1539: August 13, 2004, FEMA Id: 1539, Natural disaster type: Tropical Storm, Hurricane
Florida Waccasassa Fire Complex, Incident Period: May 29, 2000, Fire Management Assistance Declared: May 29, 2000, FEMA Id: 2303, Natural disaster type: Fire
Florida Fire Hazard, Incident Period: April 15, 1999 to May 25, 1999, Emergency Declared EM-3139: April 27, 1999, FEMA Id: 3139, Natural disaster type: Fire
4 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Alachua County (14) is near the US average (13). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 8 Emergencies Declared: 3
Causes of natural disasters: Fires: 5, Hurricanes: 5, Tropical Storms: 3, Tornadoes: 2, Flood: 1, Freeze: 1, Wind: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 12.8 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 11.6 Births per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 11.7
Births per 1000 population in Alachua County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 6.8 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 7.0 Deaths per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 6.9
Deaths per 1000 population in Alachua County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 10.5 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 11.1
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Alachua County
Population without health insurance coverage in 2013: 19.1% Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2013: 9.7%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Alachua County
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Alachua County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 28,712 (23,351 aged, 5,361 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 6,754 (15%)
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Aged persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Disabled persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Most common underlying causes of death in Alachua County, Florida in 1999 - 2014:
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (1,678)
Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (815)
Other ill-defined and unspecified causes of mortality (558)
Colon, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (461)
Breast, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (457)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 16% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 14%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 1.79 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 29,976 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 774 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 56,141
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,234 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 714 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 8
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 61 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 87
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 13
EPA green book nonattainment status in 2004-2006: 1
Homicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 45.4. This is less than state average.
Mechanisms of homicide:
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
Firearm - 21.4
Other - 24.0
Suicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 124.8. This is less than state average.
Mechanisms of suicide:
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
Firearm - 73.1
Poisoning - 30.9
Suffocation - 16.4
Other - 4.4
Household type by relationship:
Households: 233,416
In family households: 160,709 (33,002 male householders, 20,498 female householders)
36,577 spouses, 52,525 children (48,665 natural, 1,665 adopted, 2,195 stepchildren), 4,255 grandchildren, 3,210 brothers or sisters, 1,991 parents, 2,590 other relatives, 5,062 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 72,707 (22,098 male householders (13,651 living alone)), 24,918 female householders (16,705 living alone)), 25,691 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 13,920 (2,899 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 24,713 2-persons, 13,137 3-persons, 9,686 4-persons, 3,870 5-persons, 1,385 6-persons, 709 7-or-more-persons.
25,646 married couples with children.
13,560 single-parent households (1,956 men, 11,604 women).
88.5% of residents of Alachua County speak English at home.
5.5% of residents speak Spanish at home (76% speak English very well, 14% speak English well, 8% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
3.0% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (79% speak English very well, 15% speak English well, 6% speak English not well).
2.5% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (59% speak English very well, 30% speak English well, 10% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
0.5% of residents speak other language at home (77% speak English very well, 20% speak English well, 3% speak English not well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $1,473,737,000 ($6,606 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $80,442,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $478,797,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $253,028,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $4,757,000 Federal grants: $482,520,000 Federal procurement contracts: $52,409,000 ($9,221,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $202,227,000 ($10,238,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $143,242,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $84,259,000 Federal Government insurance: $239,977,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 13,253
Here:
59 per 1000 residents
State:
63 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 8,260
Here:
37 per 1000 residents
State:
49 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +4,545
Here:
+20 per 1000 residents
State:
+30 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -3,346
Here:
-15 per 1000 residents
State:
+59 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Alachua County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 28.26 millions of gallons per day (all from ground)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.0
State:
5.6
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
3.9
State:
3.8
Year house built
2014 or later: 607
2010 to 2013: 3,252
2000 to 2009: 21,873
1990 to 1999: 21,763
1980 to 1989: 21,703
1970 to 1979: 22,437
1960 to 1969: 10,534
1950 to 1959: 6,761
1940 to 1949: 3,060
1939 or earlier: 2,590
Note: State values scaled to Alachua population
Rooms in houses/apartments in Alachua County, Florida
Note: State values scaled to Alachua County population
no vehicle: 1,801
1 vehicle: 15,315
2 vehicles: 22,637
3 vehicles: 6,411
4 vehicles: 1,321
5+ vehicles: 599
no vehicle: 4,566
1 vehicle: 19,749
2 vehicles: 10,409
3 vehicles: 3,411
4 vehicles: 1,020
5+ vehicles: 270
41% of Alachua County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 41% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 67% lived in Florida.
Alachua County:
41.3%
State average:
51.1%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 104,742
Northeast: 28,757
Midwest: 24,443
South: 32,520
West: 6,997
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $78,900
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 1%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 1%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Alachua County
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30.0 years
40.0 years
(48.4%)
(51.6%)
, Dixie County 
, Mobile County, Alabama 
, Galveston County, Texas 
