Alachua County, Florida

By getzipcodes April 5, 2023 North America 0 Comments

According to countryaah, Alachua County is located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Florida. It is bordered by six other counties: Marion County to the northwest, Levy County to the west, Gilchrist County to the north, Putnam County to the northeast, Columbia County to the east, and Bradford County to the south. The county seat and largest city is Gainesville.

The total area of Alachua County is 976 square miles (2,516 km2), making it one of the larger counties in Florida in terms of land area. Approximately half of this area is forested with pine and hardwood trees while much of the remainder consists of agricultural land and residential development. The county has several lakes including Lake Santa Fe in Micanopy, Newnan’s Lake near Gainesville, Orange Lake near Orange Heights and Lochloosa Lake near Hawthorne.

The county lies within a humid subtropical climate zone with hot summers and mild winters with temperatures usually staying above freezing during winter months. Alachua receives an average annual rainfall of 52 inches (1,320 mm) from June through September due to its location in a region known as “Lightning Alley” for its frequent thunderstorms during summer months.

Alachua has a population estimated at 266,817 as of 2020 with a median household income of $46,465 as reported by U.S Census data for 2019. The racial makeup was estimated at 68% white non-Hispanic or Latino residents (including both native-born citizens and immigrants from other countries), 20% African American or Black residents, 6% Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race), 2% Asian American residents and 4% other races according to estimates from 2019 census data.

The economy in Alachua is primarily driven by education services due to its home being Gainesville which houses both University of Florida (UF) and Santa Fe College campuses as well as numerous research centers such as Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator which specializes in biotechnology research related projects funded by various sources including NASA and NIH grants among others while also providing business incubation services for new ventures related to biotechnology industry in particular but also engineering services more generally among others. Health care services also play an important role due to presence of Shands Hospital which serves patients throughout North Central Florida region while also providing jobs for thousands within Alachua itself making it one important source for employment opportunities locally available within county limits.

Demographics of Alachua County, Florida

Alachua County, Florida is home to a diverse population of 266,817 people as of 2020. The racial makeup of the county is estimated at 68% white non-Hispanic or Latino residents (including both native-born citizens and immigrants from other countries), 20% African American or Black residents, 6% Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race), 2% Asian American residents and 4% other races according to estimates from 2019 census data. The median household income in Alachua County is $46,465 as reported by U.S Census data for 2019.

The county also has a diverse age range with an estimated median age of 31 years old in 2020. Approximately 24 percent of the population are under 18 years old while 11 percent are over the age of 65. This suggests that the population is relatively young and reflects the presence of two universities in Gainesville; University of Florida (UF) and Santa Fe College.

The educational attainment level in Alachua County is higher than that of the state average with approximately 28 percent holding a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 24 percent for Florida overall. In addition, about 11 percent have some college but no degree compared to 9 percent statewide.

The labor force participation rate in Alachua County is slightly lower than the state average at 61 percent compared to 64 percent statewide according to 2017 estimates from U.S Census data for Florida counties. Most employed people work in education services, health care services or retail trade industries which make up approximately 22%, 20%, and 12% respectively of all employed people within county limits according to 2018 estimates from U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

In terms of language spoken at home, English remains dominant with roughly 80% speaking only English while Spanish follows closely behind with 14%. Other languages spoken include French Creole (2%), French (1%), German (<1%) and Portuguese (<1%).

Overall, Alachua County offers a diverse demographic composition that reflects its location in North Central Florida region as well as its presence as home to two major universities; University of Florida (UF) and Santa Fe College campuses which attract students from around the world seeking higher education opportunities within this area.

Places of Interest in Alachua County, Florida

Alachua County, located in North Central Florida, is an area of great beauty and a wealth of interesting attractions. From the lush forests of the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park to the vibrant city of Gainesville, there are plenty of places to explore and experience in Alachua County.

The Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is one of the most popular places to visit in Alachua County. This vast expanse of wetlands, prairies, and forests offers a variety of outdoor activities such as camping, horseback riding, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, bird watching and more. The park also features a Visitor Center with interactive exhibits about the ecology and history of the park.

Gainesville is a vibrant college town full of culture and entertainment. Home to both the University of Florida (UF) and Santa Fe College campuses, Gainesville has museums such as the Florida Museum of Natural History as well as art galleries like The Thomas Center Gallery which showcase local talent from around North Central Florida. The downtown area is home to many restaurants offering delicious cuisine from all over the world as well as numerous bars and nightclubs for those looking for nightlife entertainment.

For those who enjoy nature-based recreation activities such as hiking or biking there are plenty of trails throughout Alachua County that offer stunning views and challenging terrain. One popular trail is San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park which features over 30 miles of trails that wind through dense forests full of wildlife including deer, wild turkeys, bobcats and more.

For those looking for a bit more adventure there are several springs located throughout Alachua County with crystal clear water perfect for swimming or snorkeling in addition to fishing opportunities on rivers or lakes such as Lake Santa Fe or Newnans Lake where you can catch bass or catfish among other species.

Overall, Alachua County offers something for everyone with its diverse array attractions ranging from outdoor recreation activities in state parks to cultural experiences within downtown Gainesville making it an ideal place to explore North Central Florida’s natural beauty combined with its vibrant city life.

Communities in Alachua County, Florida

Alachua County is located in North Central Florida and is home to a diverse array of communities. The county seat is Gainesville, a vibrant college town that houses the University of Florida (UF) and Santa Fe College campuses. Gainesville offers a variety of entertainment, culture, and dining experiences, making it a destination for students and locals alike. The downtown area is full of restaurants offering cuisine from around the world as well as art galleries, museums, theaters and bars for nightlife entertainment.

Surrounding Gainesville are many smaller towns such as Alachua, Archer, High Springs, La Crosse, Newberry and Waldo that each offer their own unique character. Alachua is home to many small businesses and historic buildings while Archer offers some of the best fishing opportunities in the county due to its close proximity to the Santa Fe River. High Springs has several natural springs perfect for swimming or snorkeling while La Crosse boasts numerous family-owned farms and rural landscapes. Newberry provides a more urban atmosphere with plenty of shopping options while Waldo’s small-town charm makes it popular with visitors looking for an authentic country experience.

Alachua County also features many outdoor recreational activities such as camping, horseback riding, canoeing/kayaking/boating on Lake Santa Fe or Newnans Lake as well as hiking/biking trails throughout the area including San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park which features over 30 miles of trails through dense forests full of wildlife. Additionally Aynes Prairie Preserve State Park offers a variety of activities such as bird watching or fishing in addition to interactive exhibits at its Visitor Center about the park’s ecology and history.

Notable People of Alachua County, Florida

Alachua County, Florida is home to many notable people from a variety of backgrounds. From well-known politicians to renowned entertainers, Alachua County has produced a number of influential individuals.

One of the most notable people from Alachua County is former US Congressman and current mayor of Gainesville, Craig Lowe. Lowe was born in Gainesville and attended the University of Florida before being elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2006. He served in the house until 2010 when he was elected to represent Alachua County in Congress. After his congressional career ended, Lowe returned to his hometown and was elected mayor in 2015.

Another prominent figure from Alachua County is actor Burt Reynolds, who attended the University of Florida before moving to Hollywood in 1958. Reynolds starred in a number of iconic films such as The Longest Yard, Smokey and the Bandit and Deliverance as well as TV shows like Gunsmoke and Evening Shade. He was also an accomplished director with films such as Sharky’s Machine and Stick under his belt.

Alachua County’s list of famous residents also includes singer-songwriter Tom Petty who grew up in Gainesville before becoming one of the most successful rock musicians of all time with hits like “Free Fallin” and “American Girl”. His band The Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2002 after selling over 80 million records worldwide.

Another well-known person from Alachua County is author Jeff Shaara whose historical fiction novels have become bestsellers around the world. Shaara was born in Gainesville but moved away at an early age due to his father’s military career which ultimately led him back home where he wrote his first novel Gods & Generals which became a major motion picture starring Robert Duvall in 2003. Shaara has since written nine other books including The Rising Tide and A Blaze Of Glory which both received critical acclaim for their intricate storytelling about important moments throughout history such as World War II and American Civil War respectively.

Overall, Alachua County has produced some very influential people that have made an impact on our culture both locally and internationally through their various accomplishments over the years making them worthy representatives for this county located deep within North Central Florida.

Bordering States of Florida

According to abbreviationfinder, Florida is bordered by four states: Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico. The border between Florida and Georgia measures approximately 489 miles in total length as it stretches from Florida’s northwestern corner near Tallahassee to its southeastern tip near Jacksonville. Additionally, Florida shares a lengthy border with Alabama that measures about 140 miles in total length. It extends from the Perdido Bay in the west to the Choctawhatchee Bay in the east.

To the west, Florida has a relatively short border with Mississippi that measures only 39 miles in length as it runs along Mississippi’s eastern edge from Escambia County to its westernmost point near Jackson County. Additionally, Florida also has an extensive coastline along the Gulf of Mexico that is about 1,260 miles long as it follows the shoreline from Perdido Bay up to Pensacola Beach just south of Panama City Beach. Finally, Florida also has a small border with Cuba that measures only 25 miles in total length as it extends from Key West up to Miami Beach on the Atlantic Ocean.