County · Florida
Gilchrist County, Florida
Gilchrist County, Florida. Gilchrist County had 20,488 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 14.7% since 2020, faster than Florida (+8.9%). It holds 4 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 12041.
Gilchrist County is one of the 3 counties of the Gainesville, FL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,488
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,864 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,040
Median household income
$63,523
±$8,592 (90% margin)
Florida: $74,568
Median home value
$199,900
±$14,091 (90% margin)
Florida: $359,000
Median gross rent
$926
±$47 (90% margin)
Florida: $1,669
How many people live in Gilchrist County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 17,864 residents in Gilchrist County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,488 for July 1, 2025, up 14.7% since 2020, faster than Florida (+8.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 19,040 over 350 square miles of land.
| Measure | Gilchrist County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 19,040 | 22,416,077 | +1,087 |
| Households | 7,151±205 | 8,752,810 | +687 |
| Average household size | 2.53±0.07 | 2.51 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,863±68 | 10,256,470 | +313 |
Gilchrist County's population since 2000
From 14,437 in 2000 to 20,488 in 2025: up 41.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Gilchrist County?
Gilchrist County holds 4 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Trenton with 2,296 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Trenton | 2,015 | $49,350 |
|---|---|---|
| Bell | 518 | $65,938 |
| Fanning Springs | 1,182 | $53,618 |
| Spring RidgeGEOID 1268435 | 442 | $65,568 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Gilchrist County?
The median resident of Gilchrist County is 43.2 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 20.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.0%. 3.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Gilchrist County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.2±0.7 | 42.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.2%±0.1 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.2%±0.3 pts | 21.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.0% | 27.4% | +2.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.1%±0.3 pts | 50.4% | −1.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.0%±0.6 pts | 14.6% | −2.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.2%±0.6 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.9%±1.0 pts | 21.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.3%±1.2 pts | 30.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.6%±1.9 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 20.0%±2.8 pts | 13.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.8%±2.0 pts | 11.5% | −4.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.8%±2.5 pts | 89.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.3%±2.4 pts | 34.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.9%±1.5 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Gilchrist County earn?
Half of Gilchrist County's 7,151 households earn less than $63,523 a year (±$8,592), against $74,568 in Florida. In 2015-2019 the median was $53,707 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,816 after inflation. 11.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Gilchrist County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $63,523±$8,592 | $74,568 | +$9,816 |
| Mean household income | $91,884±$11,855 | $105,967 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,223±$4,025 | $42,609 | +$8,667 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.5%±2.5 pts | 12.6% | −5.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.4%±4.4 pts | 16.5% | −16.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.1%±3.2 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.7%±3.0 pts | 91.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Gilchrist County?
Owners occupy 85.7% of Gilchrist County's occupied homes and renters 14.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $199,900 by its owner (±$14,091). The median renter pays $926 a month including utilities, and 29.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Gilchrist County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $199,900±$14,091 | $359,000 | +$70,923 |
| Median gross rent | $926±$47 | $1,669 | +$132 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 29.4%±10.3 pts | 50.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,491±$105 | $1,959 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 85.7%±2.8 pts | 67.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,863±68 | 10,256,470 | +313 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.4%±2.2 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 47.7%±3.8 pts | 54.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 49.8%±3.9 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 6.1%±1.9 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 1.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Gilchrist County building?
Builders took permits for 94 new housing units across Gilchrist County in 2025 (94 single-family), 4.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Gilchrist County get to work?
82.3% of Gilchrist County's workers drive alone and 6.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.5%.
| Measure | Gilchrist County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 50.8%±3.3 pts | 59.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5%±1.5 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 82.3%±3.8 pts | 70.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.3%±3.0 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.4%±2.2 pts | 15.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.6 min±1.9 | 28.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Gilchrist County's census tracts?
Gilchrist County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $60,452 (Tract 9501) to $71,667 (Tract 9502.03).
| Tract 950112041950100 | 6,354±736 | $60,452 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9502.0112041950201 | 2,757±483 | $64,375 |
| Tract 9502.0212041950202 | 3,086±362 | $67,989 |
| Tract 9502.0312041950203 | 3,280±427 | $71,667 |
| Tract 9502.0412041950204 | 3,563±456 | $62,115 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Gilchrist County compare with Florida's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 56th of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 17th of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 50th of 67 |
| Median household income | 40th of 67 |
| Median home value | 46th of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 51st of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 46th of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 52nd of 67 |
| Median age | 36th of 67 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Gilchrist County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.