Gainesville, FL is a college town located in Alachua County. It is home to 95,447 people. The median income is $28,164, which is lower than the average of all communities in Florida. Towns which are close by include Ocala, FL and Palatka, FL. Gainesville, FL is 71 miles from Jacksonville. Nearby shopping includes Gainesville Mall. 48.6% of the residents rent apartments or rental homes in Gainesville, FL.