Alachua County
Alachua County is located in the north central part of Florida. The biggest city in Alachua County is Gainesville, which is the county seat and home to the University of Florida (the Gators).
There are many natural attractions in Alachua County including Devils Millhopper, Poe Springs Park and High Springs, the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail, and the Dudley Farm State Park.
The county is 874.25 square miles of land and 94.88 square miles of water.
Alachua County Table of Contents
- Area Code & Zip Code
- Cities in Alachua County
- County Map
- Tax Collector & Property Appraiser
- Public Schools
- Jobs
- Colleges and Universities
- Airports
- Hospitals
- County Court, Sheriff, Jail, and Attorneys
- Humane Society
- State Parks
- Natural Springs
- Weather and Geography
- Arts & Culture
- Libraries
- United Way & Other Charities
Recent Updates
Alachua County Map
This map of Alachua County shows the largest cities and towns including Gainesville, Alachua, Newberry, Archer, Micanopy, Hawthorne, Waldo, and Lacrosse.
The county is 874.25 square miles of land and 94.88 square miles of water.
Alachua County is bordered by 8 Florida counties including: Bradford, Clay, Union, Putnam, Marion, Levy, Gilchrist and Columbia counties.
Area Codes and Zip Codes for Alachua County
The area code for all of Alachua County is 352.
Zip Codes
- Gainesville - 32601, 32602, 32603, 32604, 32605, 32606, 32607, 32608, 32609, 32610, 32611, 32612, 32613, 32614, 32627, 32635, 32641, 32653
- Archer - 32618
- Brooker - 32622
- Earleton - 32631
- Earleton - 32633
- Hawthorne - 32640
- Island Grove - 32654
- Lochloosa - 32662
- Melrose - 32666
- Hawthorne - 32640
- Micanopy - 32667
- Newberry - 32669
- Waldo - 32694
- Williston - 32696
Cities in Alachua County Florida
Alachua County has nine incorporated and two unincorporated cities. Its county seat is Gainesville.
Alachua’s nine incorporated cities are:
- City of Alachua
- City of Archer
- City of Gainesville
- City of Hawthorne
- City of High Springs
- Town of LaCrosse
- Town of Micanopy
- City of Newberry
- City of Waldo
Alachua County’s two unincorporated cities are:
- Haile Plantation
- Jonesville
Alachua County Tax Collector and Property Appraiser
Alachua County Property Appraiser
The Alachua County Property Appraiser is responsible for appraising all property in Alachua County. The appraisal process is annual and therefor your property value could change every year.
Honorable Edward A. Crapo, CFA, ASA, AAS
Physical Address: 12 SE 1st Street, Room 213, Gainesville, FL 32601
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 23817, Gainesville, FL 32602-3817
Phone: 352-374-5230
Fax: 352-374-5278
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Website: http://www.acpafl.org/
Alachua County Tax Collector
Tax Collection for: Boats and Vessels: Hunting and Fishing; Local Business Tax; Motor Vehicles; Property Taxes and Tourist and Development
Honorable Von Fraser
Phone: 352-374-5236
Fax: 352-374-5281
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Website: http://www.actcfl.org
Alachua County Tax Collectors Offices:
Alachua County Tax Collector - Downtown Branch (Main Office)
12 SE 1st Street
Gainesville, Florida 32601
Phone: 352-374-5236
Fax: 352-374-5200
Alachua County Tax Collector – Northwest Branch
3207 SW 35th Blvd (Butler Plaza)
Gainesville, Florida 32608
Phone: 352-374-5236
Fax: 352-337-6201
High Springs Tax Collector (Tag and Title Only ) 110 NW 1st Avenue, High Springs, FL 32643
Phone: 386-454-1416
Fax: 386-454-2126
Jobs and Careers in Alachua County
The largest employment industry in Alachua County is healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, accommodations and food service industries. Electric goods wholesalers, software publishers and management companies are a few industries noted as paying higher wages.
The major private sector employers in Alachua County are:
- Shands Hospital
- Publix
- North Florida Regional Medical Center
- Nationwide Insurance
- Wal-Mart Distribution Center
- Gator Dining Services
- Dollar General Distribution Center
- Meridian Behavioral
- Wal-Mart Stores
- Tower Hill Insurance
Alachua County Public Schools
The Alachua County district currently has a student population of 29,533. New school zones were implemented in 2003 to help ease overcrowding at the middle school and high school level. Several elementary schools remain over crowded.
The school district has 47 different schools including 24 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 7 high schools (with many magnet programs), and 9 other learning institutions.
Elementary schools from Pre-K to 5th
- Alachua Elementary School 3rd through 5th, and Pre-K
- Archer Community School
- Chiles Elementary School
- Duval Elementary School
- JJ Finley Elementary School
- Foster Elementary School
- Glen Springs Elementary School
- Hidden Oak Elementary School
- High Springs Elementary School Pre-K through 4th
- Idylwild Elementary School
- Irby Elementary School Pre-K through 2nd
- Lake Forest Elementary School
- Littlewood Elementary School
- Metcalfe Elementary School
- Newberry Elementary School
- Norton Elementary School
- Prairie View Elementary School
- Rawlings Elementary School
- Shell Elementary School
- Talbot Elementary School
- Terwilliger Elementary School
- Waldo Community School Pre-K through 6th
- Wiles Elementary School
- Williams Elementary School
Middle schools 6th to 8th grade
- Fort Clarke Middle School
- Howard Bishop Middle School
- Kanapaha Middle School
- Mebane Middle School
- Lincoln Middle School
- Oak View Middle School
- Westwood Middle School
High schools 9th to 12th grade
- Buchholz High School
- Eastside High School
- Gainesville High School
- Hawthorne High School
- Loften High School
- Newberry High School
- Santa Fe High School
Colleges and Universities
Alachua County is best known as the home of the University of Florida and Santa Fe College.
The University of Florida is a major research university located in Gainesville on a 2,000 acre campus that includes over 900 buildings. It is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities that belong to the Association of American Universities.
Consistently ranked one of the world’s top 100 universities, The University of Florida has a student population of over 50,000. UF is also well known for inventing Gatorade, a popular sports drink.
Graduate programs include engineering, business administration, law and medicine. Annual undergraduate tuition for the 2008-2009 academic year was $3,790 for in-state students, and $20,460 for out-of-state students. Annual graduate tuition is $8,190 for in-state students and $23,315 for out-of-state students. The university ranks 17th overall in the U.S. for the largest number of international students.
Alachua County is a county rich in history and culture established by its past and heavily influenced by the University of Florida in Gainesville. UF is the center of its economy. As one of the oldest and largest universities, the University of Florida is responsible for making Alachua County what it is today.
Santa Fe College is a state college also located in Gainesville and accredited by the Florida Department of Education. Established in 1966, the college offers many programs that can be completed in two years.
Alachua County Airports
The nearest airport with scheduled commercial airline service in Alachua County is Gainesville Regional Airport. The major airlines that serve Gainesville Regional Airport are Delta and USAir Express.
Hospitals in Alachua County
- North Florida Regional Medical Center
- Shands at AGH
- Shands at the University of Florida
- Upreach Rehabilitation Center
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Historical State Parks
Alachua County is home to six state parks. Some of the state parks consist of National Natural Landmarks, National Historic Landmark, Rail Trail, and a historic district.
Paynes Prairie Preserve State
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park located just south of Gainesville in Macanopy. It is a flat marshy plain of 20,000 acres. It is a State Preserve and a US National Natural Landmark. It was named after King Payne, a Seminole chief.
This preserve wasn’t always a prairie. It was once Alachua Lake which is now completely dried up.
There are many writings about the lake most notably by Naturalist William Bartram who wrote about it in 1774. Steamboats were regularly seen on the lake during a flooding. The prairies drainage was so blocked it formed Alachua Lake in 1871 and lasted until 1886.
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is located two miles northwest of Gainesville. It is maintained by the Florida State Parks system. Devil’s Millhopper is a large, bowl shaped, sinkhole 500 feet in diameter and 120 feet deep.
Its name comes from its hopper or funnel like shape and the superstition from the county’s ancient residents that it was a hole the devil could rise from to lure people in. In 1974 a set of 232 wooden steps along with boardwalks and viewing decks were installed for public use.
Dudley Farm Historic State Park
Dudley Farm Historic State Park is a working farm that shows the agricultural practices from the late 19th century. It is located in Newberry, Florida. The address is 18730 West Newberry Road.
The Dudley Farm unique 19th century farmstead is on approximately 2,599 acres. The Farm has 21 historical building and 13 structures.
The park offers self-guided tours. The staff and volunteers work on the farm in clothes similar to those worn in the late 1800’s. Some of the attractions on Dudley Farm are the Hay Barn, Sweet Potato Cellar, General Store and Smokehouse.
The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trai
The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail is a protected 16 mile long rail trail that runs from the City of Gainesville’s Boulware Springs Water Works to the town of Hawthorne.
It is located at 3400 SE 15 Street, in Gainesville, Florida. There are several recreational activities available at this park including hiking, running, cycling and horseback riding.
Majorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
Majorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Parkis located at 18700 South County Road 325 in Cross Creek, Florida. It is a Florida State Park and the former home of the famous Florida author, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. The park offers hiking and hourly tours for visitors except in the months of August and September.
San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park
San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Parkis located just south of the town of Alachua on Millhopper Road. The park features abundant wild life that include a variety of songbirds, bobcats, deer, foxes and turkeys. Recreational activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature viewing.
Natural Springs in Alachua County
Alachua County is home to several natural freshwater springs. The springs offer the community and its visitors a way to cool down on blistering hot days and provides a clear fresh water resource. The water stays at 72 degrees year round and are popular during the summer.
The County of Alachua has several proposed and in place plans and projects for the conservation of these springs. Some of the springs are on private properties while others have been made into city parks for visitors. Poe Springs, for example, located on the Santa Fe River near High Springs, was bought in 1985 and opened to the public in 1992.
Alachua County most popular springs are:
- Blue Springs
- Boulware Springs
- Ginnie Springs
- Glen Springs
- Magnesia Spring
- Hornsby Spring
- Poe Spring
- Santa Fe River Rise
Arts, Culture and History in Alachua County Florida
Arts in Alachua County include:
- The Center for Performing Arts
- Gainesville Chamber Orchestra
- Gainesville Community Theater
Annual Events in Alachua County include:
- Spring Arts Festival
- Watermelon Festival
- Hoggetowne Medieval Faire
- Chris Collinsworth Benefit Golf Classic
- Christmas on the Boulevard
The Department of Cultural Affairs for Alachua County is located at 302 NE 6th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32601. It was established in 1979.
The Cultural Affairs Department also coordinates and promotes the Thomas Center Galleries, the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, the Downtown Festival and Art Show, performing arts programs, eco-heritage tourism and serves as the local arts agency for the County of Alachua.
The Division of Cultural Affairs operates the Thomas Center, the Tench Building Artist Studios and Evergreen Cemetery.
The Northeast Historic District located in Micanopy is a 63 block area of 290 building that opens the door to the county’s past. The district is home to buildings built as far back as 1880. Alachua County has over 30 Florida Historical Markers from the Florida Historical Markers program. A program created to increase public awareness of historical sites. Historical Buildings include County Courthouses, Inns, Homes, Seminary’s, battle sites, mounds and plantations.
Two of Alachua County historical sites are cemeteries. The first, a 50 acre city owned cemetery called Evergreen Cemetery. It is the resting site of many significant pioneer families such as James Bailey, Rev. William McCormick and William Reuben Thomas.
The second oldest cemetery in Alachua County is the Oak Ridge Cemetery. This cemetery contains the grave and monumental marker for Florida’s fourth governor, Madison Starke Perry, who served from 1857 to 1861.
Weather and Geography of Alachua County
Alachua County is one of the most favorable university cities to live in. Its annual weather of 71 degrees F and its close proximity to many famous attractions make it an ideal place for living and tourism.
Gainesville is ideally located in north central Florida in close proximity to many major cities and attractions:
- Jacksonville is a 1 1/2 hour drive
- Ocala National Forest is a 1 hour drive
- Orlando is a 2 hour drive
- St. Augustine is a 1 1/2 hour drive
- Tampa is a 2 hour drive
Alachua County Humane Society
The Humane Society of Alachua County provides many pet related services including adoptions and low cost spay and neuter.
Animals for Adoption: Dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and horses.
Address: 2029 NW 6th Street, Gainesville, FL 32609 Humane Society
Phone: Phone: 352-373-5855
Website: http://www.alachuahumane.org/
Alachua County Humane Society Thrift Store
Proceeds from the Alachua County Humane Society Thrift Store benefit the humane society.
Thrift Store Items: Furniture, toys, kitchen items, electronics,
household items, gifts, and pet supplies.
2029 NW 6th Street, Gainesville, FL 32609
Thrift Store Phone: 352-373-9522
Alachua County Jail
Alachua County Sheriff’s office provides services for crime prevention, crime reporting, victim services, juvenile programs, teen driver programs, gun safety, and many other services to help residents of Alachua County be safe.
If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Crime Watch program, there is information online on ”How to Start a Neighborhood Crime Watch in Alachua County.”
To report tips on wanted persons in Alachua County with outstanding warrants, you can either call or fill out an online form.
The Alachua County Jail is located at 3333 NE 39th Avenue in Gainesville Florida. The jail can house about 1,000 inmates at a time. You can verify if an inmate is in the Alachua County jail online. This jail offers life skill classes, adult education, and volunteer programs to help inmates prepare for their release. The Alachua County Jail Phone Number: 352-491-4505.
Alachua County Sheriff
2621 SE Hawthorne Road, Gainesville, Florida 32641
Sheriff’s Office Phone Number: 352-367-4000
Crime Prevention Phone Number: 352-374-1800
Crime Prevention .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Alachua County Attorneys
Alachua County attorneys are often retained for criminal defense, DUI attorneys, immigration law, and other defenses. A qualified lawyer is important to help in the criminal defense to ensure individuals are treated fairly.