Gainesville | Information

Gainesville is the largest city and county seat of Alachua County, Florida. Gainesville is primarily known for being home to the University of Florida, the flagship university of the State University System of Florida and the third-largest university in the United States. Santa Fe Community College, one of the nation’s largest community colleges, is also located in Gainesville.

The 2000 Census reported the population of Gainesville to be 95,447. Following a successful annexation in 2002, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated a 2004 population of 108,856. However, the City of Gainesville estimates the 2003 population at 117,182. The Gainesville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes Alachua and Gilchrist counties, has a population of 239,114 as of 2005 Census Bureau estimates.

• Founding: 1869
• Population: 133,997 (2019 estimate)
• Area: 64 sq mi (166.39 km²)
• Elevation: 152ft (54m)
• Demographics
  • Non-Hispanic White 57%
  • Hispanic/Latino: 11%
  • Black: 22%
  • Asian: 7%
  • Other: 3%
• Mayor: Lauren Poe
• County: Alachua
• Temperature averages: 36C/97F high, 6C/42F low
• Currency: US Dollar
• Airport: Gainesville Regional (GNV)
• Landmarks
  • University of Florida
  • Depot Park
  • Paynes Prairie State Park
  • Sweetwater Wetlands Park
  • Hippodrome State Theatre
  • Innovation District
  • Harn Museum of Art
  • Florida Museum of Natural History
  • Phillips Center for the Arts
  • Gainesville Raceway
• Famous residents: Bo Didley, Tom Petty, Don Felder, Bernie Leadon, River & Joaquin Phoenix, Malcolm Gets, Harry Crews, Marty Liquori, Gabriel Schwartzman, Peter Taylor, Mary McCauley, Joe Haldeman, Bob Vila, Maya Rudolph, Tim Tebow

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Gainesville’s original inhabitants were the Timucua Indians. Spanish colonists began cattle ranching in the Payne’s Prairie area using Timucua labor and the largest ranch became known as LaChua. Though the ranch was eventually destroyed by British raiders, it nevertheless gave its name to the Alachua band of the Seminole tribe who settled in the region in the 1700s under the leadership of the great chief Ahaya the Cowkeeper.

Gainesville was originally formed along the Florida Railroad Company’s line stretching from Cedar Key to Fernandina Beach as part of a route eventually carrying cargo from New Orleans to New York. In 1854 Gainesville became the new Alachua County seat (moving from the more populated but inconveniently located Newnansville). The city is named for General Edmund P. Gaines, commander of U.S. Army troops in Florida during the Second Seminole War.

Gainesville was the scene of small-scale fighting in the Civil War. On February 15, 1864, a skirmish erupted when about 50 Union troops entered the city intending to capture two trains. The Second Florida Cavalry successfully repulsed this raid. The raiding party was eventually defeated at the Battle of Olustee five days later. Later that year, the Battle of Gainesville took place on August 17, 1864. Three-hundred Union troops occupying the city were attacked by the Florida Cavalry. The Federals were driven out of town and suffered significant casualties.

​Following the civil war, the city prospered as a major citrus growing center, with direct rail access to ports on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. However, this prosperity ended when the great freezes of 1894 and 1899 destroyed the entire crops, and citrus growing moved permanently south to the Orlando area. Other attempts to replace this lost industry included phosphate mining, turpentine production, and tung oil had only moderate success.

Gainesville’s fortunes took a major turn for the better, however, when the University of Florida was created by the Florida Legislature in 1905. Gainesville was chosen, beating out other cities that saw their colleges close, such as Lake City and Bartow. Fortunately, the city had the foresight to construct a modern municipal water, sewer and electric system and was able to offer these services to a new university location for free. A site was selected at a location then considered about a mile west of town. The first classes were held at Buckman Hall in the fall of 1906. 

Over the past century, the university has brought the town a youthful population, cultural opportunities, and world class medical facilities. The sports drink Gatorade was invented in Gainesville as a means of refreshing the UF football team and UF still receives a share of the profits from the beverage. However, Gatorade’s headquarters are now located in Chicago, Illinois.

Sister Cities

Known for its beautiful wildlife, natural parks, university architecture, and many religious spaces, Gainesville exemplifies the motto of Alachua County: “Where nature and culture meet”

Gainesville prides itself as the cultural capital of the region. With multiple museums, festivals, it lives its motto “Citizen centered. People empowered.”

Some popular festivals include:

Gators, water birds, rodents, and more!

Learn More

Visit the official Gainesville websites at https://www.visitgainesville.com/ and https://www.cityofgainesville.org/