Gainesville, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gainesville, Florida had a total population of 145,702, the 13th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $46,195, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Gainesville Quick Facts
How Gainesville Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 145,702 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $45,611 | $46,195 | +1.3% |
| Median home value | $235,000 | $247,500 | +5.3% |
How Gainesville Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gainesville Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Alachua County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alachua | 10,743 | $83,464 | 9.5% | $299,200 |
| Newberry | 7,865 | $89,552 | 9.8% | $288,100 |
| High Springs | 6,544 | $94,421 | 13.6% | $320,700 |
| Hawthorne | 1,625 | $55,406 | 15.4% | $177,800 |
| Waldo | 1,303 | $29,894 | 28.0% | $113,600 |
| Archer | 958 | $41,058 | 38.1% | $184,800 |
| Micanopy | 747 | $74,038 | 11.2% | $233,200 |
| La Crosse | 124 | N/A | 40.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Gainesville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood | 155,082 | $67,203 | $410,600 | 33.8% | 14.7% |
| Lehigh Acres | 132,353 | $66,890 | $292,400 | 14.3% | 17.1% |
| Palm Bay | 130,132 | $72,614 | $283,200 | 24.0% | 11.7% |
| Lakeland | 119,961 | $64,185 | $249,400 | 29.4% | 13.2% |
| Miramar | 138,600 | $89,125 | $462,700 | 37.4% | 8.5% |
Population Overview
Gainesville is a major urban center located in Florida, within Alachua County. The total population is 145,702. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gainesville is 26.5 years. This is 38% lower than the state median of 42.6 years. Only 13.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gainesville is $46,195. This is 38% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.8%. This is 145% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $247,500. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 37.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gainesville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 20.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (13.6%) is well below the state average of 27.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.3% vs 2.9%).
Education
53.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% higher than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.3%. Notably, 27.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gainesville, Florida is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Florida state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 955 Census-designated places in Florida. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Gainesville, Florida?
Gainesville, Florida has a population of 145,702 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gainesville, FL?
The median household income in Gainesville is $46,195, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gainesville, FL?
The poverty rate in Gainesville is 30.8%. This means approximately 39,803 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gainesville, Florida?
Gainesville's population is 54.2% White, 20.4% Black, 13.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gainesville, FL?
The median home value in Gainesville is $247,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x.
How educated is Gainesville, Florida?
53.7% of adults (25+) in Gainesville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 27.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.