City of Gainesville, Florida General Information

About Gainesville

One of the largest city in Alachua County is Gainesville. It is famous for their old Victorian house that reflects the city’s rich culture and history.  It is the center of education and commercial in the north central of Florida. The city provides professional and government services such as public water system, construction services, police and fire protection services, recreational parks, transportation services and a golf course. Gainesville is known for the site of University of Florida. It was built in 1905 as the oldest and largest university in the state. It has brought a significant emerge to the economy of Gainesville when it was face with economic crisis in the year 1894-1899. Since then Gainesville prosper to a city as a commercial district.

Geography

Gainesville has a total area of 49.1 square miles, 48.2 square miles of land, and 0.9 square miles of water. It has one of the most beautiful landscape and urban forest that it attracted many tourists to come and visit Gainesville. It has a wide range of species including conifers and broadleaf evergreens. Since the year 1982, it was awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation as “Tree City, USA”. Gainesville was also ranked in 2007 as one of the best places to live and play by National Geographic.

Demographics

In 2005, it has a population of 100,879. Then in 2008 conducted census, it has a population of 258,555. In 2009, the census estimate is 114,375 population in the city while 258, 555 in the metro. In 2010, the estimated population is 130, 898.

According to a July 2007 census, the population was 104,875. There are 48.9% of males while women are 51.1%.  The median resident age is 26.4 years. The estimated median household income in 2009 is $27, 420. In Gainesville, it is $27, 420 while in Florida $ 44, 736. The estimated per capita income in 2009 is $ 18,420. The estimated house or condo value in 2009 is $ 162,400. In Gainesville it is $ 162,400 while in Florida it is $ 182, 400.

Climate

There is a fluctuation of temperature in Gainesville because of its location. Summer season starts from June 1 to September 30. There is an occasional freezing temperatures at night that could be experienced in the early- October to late May. In late November and December, Gainesville experiences brief fall and a long spring in late February until early April.

Economy

The local economy of Gainesville is still strong despite its slower real estate. The nearby restaurants in University Florida are inexpensive. Gainesville is low cost in living. In 2010, the economy of Gainesville posted a GDP growth of 0.2%. It is said that in nominal terms from 2007 to 2008, the economic growth was 2.5 and in real terms the growth was 0.2$. The trade industry has started the lead in the metro economy. It has contributed a $980 million in 2008. The professional and business service has contributed $752 million while leisure has $432 million.   The largest employers in the city are University of Florida and the Shands Healthcare system.

Interesting sites in Gainesville

Gainesville has a lot of parks and recreation where visitors, tourists or families can enjoy the natural wonders. There is the Bivens Arm Nature Park, the Alfred A. Ring Park, Palm Point Nature Park, Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park and Morningside Nature Center. Where people can swim, enjoy picnics, long walks or ride a bike. There are also other interesting sites such as Florida Museum of Natural History, Harn Museum of Art and Payne’s Prairie. Surely, these places would catch your fancy and guarantee an enjoyable time in Gainesville, Florida.