Alachua County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population is 217,955. Its county seat is Gainesville, Florida⁶.

History

Alachua County was created in 1824. It was named for a word meaning sinkhole in either the Muskogee or Timucua Indian language. The county seat was Newnansville, Florida until 1854, when it was moved to Gainesville.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,510 km² (969 mi²). 2,264 km² (874 mi²) of it is land and 246 km² (95 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 9.79% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 217,955 people, 87,509 households, and 47,779 families residing in the county. The population density is 96/km² (249/mi²). There are 95,113 housing units at an average density of 42/km² (109/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 73.47% White, 19.30% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 3.54% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.40% from other races, and 2.02% from two or more races. 5.73% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 87,509 households out of which 25.20% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.80% are married couples living together, 12.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 45.40% are non-families. 29.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.34 and the average family size is 2.94.

In the county the population is spread out with 20.20% under the age of 18, 23.20% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 19.30% from 45 to 64, and 9.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 29 years. For every 100 females there are 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $31,426, and the median income for a family is $46,587. Males have a median income of $31,971 versus $26,059 for females. The per capita income for the county is $18,465. 22.80% of the population and 12.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.40% of those under the age of 18 and 9.70% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

• Alachua
• Archer
• Gainesville
• Hawthorne
• High Springs
• Jonesville (unincorporated)
• La Crosse
• Micanopy
• Newberry
• Waldo

Landfills

Alachua County is also the site of numerous landfills, both open and closed. The names of the closed landfills are: Southwest Landfill, Northwest Landfill, Northeast Landfill, Northeast Auxiliary Landfill, and Southeast Landfill.

External links

Government links/Constitutional offices

• Alachua County / Board of County Commissioners
• Alachua County Supervisor of Elections
• Alachua County Property Appraiser
• Alachua County Sheriff's Office
• Alachua County Tax Collector

Special Districts

• Alachua County Public Schools
• Suwannee River Water Management District
• St. Johns River Water Management District

Judicial branch of State

• Alachua County Clerk of Courts
• Office of the State Attorney, 8th Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union Counties
• Circuit and County Court for the 8th Judicial Circuit of Florida

Tourism links

• Alachua County Convention and Visitors Bureau