Gainesville, FL Metro Area

Gainesville, FL · Metro Area

349,923Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (1 central, 2 outlying), part of the Gainesville-Lake City, FL combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $61,468
Median home value: $266,200
Land area: 2,344 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Alachua County, FL	Central	285,492	$61,949	$288,800
Levy County, FL	Outlying	45,391	$56,750	$190,600
Gilchrist County, FL	Outlying	19,040	$63,523	$199,900

Largest cities and towns

27 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Gainesville, FL	City	145,702	$46,195
Alachua, FL	City	10,743	$83,464
Newberry, FL	City	7,865	$89,552
High Springs, FL	City	6,544	$94,421
Williston Highlands, FL	CDP	3,666	$79,662
Williston, FL	City	3,154	$61,111
East Bronson, FL	CDP	2,649	$51,898
Manatee Road, FL	CDP	2,426	$51,708
Trenton, FL	City	2,320	$49,350
Chiefland, FL	City	1,909	$38,536
Inglis, FL	Town	1,742	$56,500
Hawthorne, FL	City	1,625	$55,406
Bronson, FL	Town	1,600	$61,923
Waldo, FL	City	1,303	$29,894
Andrews, FL	CDP	1,275	$52,955
Archer, FL	City	958	$41,058
Fanning Springs, FL	City	942	$53,618
Cedar Key, FL	City	875	$64,375
Micanopy, FL	Town	747	$74,038
Yankeetown, FL	Town	675	$60,865
Bell, FL	Town	563	$65,938
Spring Ridge, FL	CDP	555	$65,568
East Williston, FL	CDP	520	$11,692
Raleigh, FL	CDP	499	$70,129
La Crosse, FL	Town	382	$91,250

Also in the Gainesville-Lake City, FL combined area

Lake City, FL · micro · 71,789

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

20.1%

Unemployment

4.3%

College Educated

41.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$61,468

Mean Household Income

$91,169

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

48.5%

Female

51.5%

Population Split

Male48.5%

Female51.5%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English12.6%

German11.3%

Irish10.5%

Italian4.6%

Scottish3.1%

Polish2.1%

French1.9%

Mexican1.8%

African0.9%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

10.1%Foreign Born

89.9%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized54.2%

Non-Citizen45.8%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later41.9%

Before 201058.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

157,066

Median Rent

$1,295/mo

Median Home Value

$266,200

Median Year Built

1989

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

111,443

College Enrollment

41.6%

High School

11.6%

College Educated

41.8%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

23.3 min

Drive Alone Rate

69.8%

Public Transit

2.5%

Work From Home

13.1%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

18.2%

18-34 Years

32.5%

35-64 Years

32.5%

65+ Years

16.8%

Population Composition

Under 1818.2%

18-3432.5%

35-6432.5%

65+16.8%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

39.0%

Single Parent

6.0%

Living Alone

32.4%

Avg Size

2.31

Household Types

Married Couples39.0%

Single Parent6.0%

Living Alone32.4%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$37,916

SNAP Usage

10.6%

Health Insurance

91.6%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k21.4%

$25k - $50k20.2%

$50k - $100k28.2%

$100k+30.2%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

4.5%

Retail Trade

10.5%

Education & Health Care

36.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

13.8%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

91.6%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

87.0%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

96.2%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

96.7

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

130.4

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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