As of the 2020 United States Census, Gainesville has a population of approximately 141,085 residents, making it the largest city in Alachua County and North Central Florida. The city's population dynamics are heavily influenced by the University of Florida and Santa Fe College, meaning tens of thousands of college students live in the city during the academic year. This results in a notably young median age (around 26 years old).
The demographic composition is diverse, with approximately 57% of residents identifying as White, 21% as Black or African American, 12% as Hispanic or Latino, and 7% as Asian. Educational attainment in Gainesville is exceptionally high, with over 45% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher, driven by the presence of the university and its associated research institutions. Income distribution is highly varied; the presence of a large, non-earning or low-earning student population skews median household income data lower than the state average.