Gainesville, FL

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2024 Population

349,923

US Senator

Rick Scott

Republican Party

US Senator

Ashley Moody

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

34.5

0.583% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

20.1%

6.65% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$61,468

4.28% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$266,200

8.3% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

162,960

1.67% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Gainesville, FL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

95.4% of the residents in Gainesville, FL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Gainesville, FL are University of Florida (19,056 degrees awarded in 2024), Santa Fe College (3,271 degrees), and University of Florida-Online (1,034 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Gainesville, FL was $266,200, and the homeownership rate was 59.3%.

Most people in Gainesville, FL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Gainesville, FL was 2 cars per household.

Gainesville, FL borders Lake City, FL, Ocala, FL, and Palatka, FL.

About the photo: Gainesville Chamber of Commerce

Photo by Todd Van Hoosear

United States Florida

Population & Diversity

Gainesville, FL is home to a population of 350k people, from which 95.4% are citizens. As of 2024, 10.1% of Gainesville, FL residents were born outside of the country (35.5k people).

In 2024, there were 3.69 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (215k people) in Gainesville, FL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 58.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 17.8k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.4%

2024 Citizenship

95.2%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 95.4% of Gainesville, FL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Gainesville, FL was 95.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Gainesville, FL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Gainesville, FL

White (Non-Hispanic)
215k ± 931
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
58.3k ± 1.02k
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
17.8k ± 1.33k

12%

Hispanic Population

42.1k people

12% of the people in Gainesville, FL are hispanic (42.1k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Gainesville, FL as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Florida.

Most Common Origin

Cuba
1,051,839 ± 24,582 people
Haiti
364,479 ± 14,701 people
Colombia
327,463 ± 13,946 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Florida was Cuba, the natal country of 1,051,839 Florida residents, followed by Haiti with 364,479 and Colombia with 327,463.

Foreign-Born Population

10.1%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

35.5k people

10.2%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

35k people

As of 2024, 10.1% of Gainesville, FL residents (35.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Gainesville, FL was 10.2%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Gainesville, FL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
6,541 ± 606
Gulf War (2001-)
3,914 ± 636
Gulf War (1990s)
3,519 ± 523

Gainesville, FL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.67 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Gainesville, FL.

Health

91.6% of the population of Gainesville, FL has health coverage, with 47.9% on employee plans, 12.7% on Medicaid, 11.9% on Medicare, 17.1% on non-group plans, and 2.06% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Florida see 1,370 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,370 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1563 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 459 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Florida.

1,370 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Florida

Primary care physicians in Florida see an average of 1,370 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,370 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Florida in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.1% under 18 years, 29.8% between 18 and 34 years, 32.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

8.44%

Uninsured

47.9%

Employer Coverage

12.7%

Medicaid

11.9%

Medicare

17.1%

Non-Group

2.06%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Gainesville, FL declined by 7.13% from 9.09% to 8.44%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Gainesville, FL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of Gainesville, FL employs 163k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Gainesville, FL were Educational Services (31,367 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (27,320 people), and Retail Trade (17,096 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($69,167), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($66,063), and Utilities ($61,215).

Employment

Occupations

163k

2024 Value

± 4,032

1.67%

1 Year growth

± 3.4%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Gainesville, FL grew at a rate of 1.67%, from 160k employees to 163k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Gainesville, FL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (19,478 people), Management Occupations (17,629 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (16,007 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Gainesville, FL.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Florida.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Florida (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

163k

2024 Value

± 4,032

1.67%

1 Year growth

± 3.4%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Gainesville, FL grew at a rate of 1.67%, from 160k employees to 163k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Gainesville, FL, are Educational Services (31,367 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (27,320 people), and Retail Trade (17,096 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Gainesville, FL, though some of these residents may live in Gainesville, FL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$45,985

Median earning men ± $1,689

$36,635

Median earning women ± $1,095

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Information ($61,875), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($61,554), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($58,144).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Construction ($53,338), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($47,519), and Public Administration ($47,298).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Florida.

Y-Axis

4.23%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 9.69M people employed in Florida. This represents a 4.23% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 12.6%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Florida.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

729
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
497
Health Care and Social Assistance
493
Construction

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.77M
Health Care and Social Assistance
$494k
Retail Trade
$453k
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Florida went to Donald J. Trump with 56.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (43%), followed by Jill Stein (0.396%).

Rick Scott and Ashley Moody are the senators currently representing the state of Florida. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Florida is currently represented by 28 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Gainesville, FL. Showing the available data for Florida.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (56.1%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (43%)
Democratic Party
Jill Stein (0.396%)
Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Florida went to Donald J. Trump with 56.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (43%), followed by Jill Stein (0.396%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Florida for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Florida

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Florida.

Rick Scott

Senator from Florida

Assumed office on January 8, 2019
Inauguration delayed in order to finish his term as Governor of Florida.

Ashley Moody

Senator from Florida

Assumed office on January 21, 2025
While elections for full class 3 terms will take place in 2028, Florida will hold a special election in 2026 to elect a senator to complete the remainder of Marco Rubio's term.

Rick Scott and Ashley Moody are the senators currently representing Florida.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Florida over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Gainesville, FL awarded 23,652 degrees. The student population of Gainesville, FL in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 33,271 male students and 42,322 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Gainesville, FL are White (12,048 and 55.2%), Hispanic or Latino (4,997 and 22.9%), Asian (1,777 and 8.14%), and Black or African American (1,433 and 6.56%).

The largest universities in Gainesville, FL by number of degrees awarded are University of Florida (19,056 and 80.6%), Santa Fe College (3,271 and 13.8%), and University of Florida-Online (1,034 and 4.37%).

The most popular majors in Gainesville, FL are Liberal Arts & Sciences (2,174 and 9.19%), General Business Administration & Management (1,714 and 7.25%), and General Computer & Information Sciences (1,006 and 4.25%).

The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $3,358 for in-state students and $15,000 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Gainesville, FL, the percentage of applicants admitted was 24.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 44.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 75,593 (44% men and 56% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 75,593 students enrolled in Gainesville, FL, 44% men and 56% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 36,683 records, of which 56.2% were women and 43.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
769 degrees awarded
General Psychology
676 degrees awarded
General Biological Sciences
612 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Gainesville, FL was General Business Administration & Management with 769 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Gainesville, FL according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Florida
19,056 degrees awarded
Santa Fe College
3,271 degrees awarded
University of Florida-Online
1,034 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Florida with 19,056 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 10,136 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Gainesville, FL, which is 0.75 times less than the 13,516 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 12,048 degrees mean that there were 2.41 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 4,997 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($16,848) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($691) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,350) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Gainesville, FL was $266,200 in 2024, which is 0.8 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $245,800 to $266,200, a 8.3% increase. The homeownership rate in Gainesville, FL is 59.3%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Gainesville, FL have an average commute time of 23.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Gainesville, FL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$266,200

Median Property Value 2024

±$6,549

$84,433

Median Property Taxes

±$2,430

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Gainesville, FL the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Gainesville, FL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

59.3%

Homeownership

2024

66.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 59.3% of the housing units in Gainesville, FL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 58.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Gainesville, FL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$61,468

Median Household Income

± $1,450

142k

Number of Households

± 3,469

In 2024, the median household income of the 142k households in Gainesville, FL grew to $61,468 from the previous year's value of $58,946.

The following chart displays the households in Gainesville, FL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Gainesville, FL is from Florida.

0.471

2024 Wage GINI in Florida

0.473

2023 Wage GINI in Florida

In 2024, the income inequality in Florida was 0.471 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.383% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Florida was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Florida in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Florida across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (69.8%)
Worked At Home (13.1%)
Carpooled (8.78%)

In 2024, 69.8% of workers in Gainesville, FL drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (13.1%) and those who carpooled to work (8.78%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

23.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Gainesville, FL have a shorter commute time (23.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.74% of the workforce in Gainesville, FL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Gainesville, FL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Gainesville, FL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Gainesville, FL have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

20.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Gainesville, FL (66.7k out of 331k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Gainesville, FL is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.