Living in Alachua County

Much of Alachua County’s population is in Gainesville (the County seat) and the surrounding area. Several smaller cities and towns have populations under 10,000. The population in 2002 was approximately 223,000 with a projected population of 248,000 by 2007. The median age is 30.6. In 2002, the median household income was $32,949; and 67% of the population has at least some college.

 

 

 

The average January temperature is 51.l F; the average August temperature is 81.1F. The average rainfall is 49.9 inches.

 

 

 

 

The area is a haven for leisure travelers who are attracted to the historical sites, scenic beauty and cultural events; to name a few. Quality of life is a major attraction for Alachua County. Alachua County is one of 31 counties in the country which made the 2010 list of the 100 Best Communities for Young People. There are many cultural and sporting events; including the University of Florida Gators football and basketball; National Hotrod Association Gatornationals, Harn Museum of Art, Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and Florida Museum of Natural History.

Education has been a chief asset for Alachua County since the establishment of the University of Florida in 1905. Santa Fe College (opened in 1965 as Santa Fe Community College offering two-year degrees) continues to steadily grow and provides students with an excellent education. In 2009, Santa Fe College began offering four-year degree programs.

Alachua County is known as one of the leading medical centers in the southeast, with four hospitals serving the area. Shands Teaching Hospital, in collaboration with the University of Florida’s College of Medicine, offers state-of-the-art medical treatment and procedures. For example, the University of Florida has a Proton Treatment Institute (which offers this cutting-edge treatment for various types of cancers). This facility is only one of five facilities in the country. As of 2010, there are only 29 Proton Treatment Centers in the world.

 

 

 

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