1st Advantage MortgageIn Gilchrist County, Florida, the typical household earns $63,523 a year and the typical rent is $926. Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Gilchrist County offer.
On this page
- Gilchrist County by the numbers
- The Gilchrist County housing market in figures
- How Gilchrist County ranks in Florida
- Where Gilchrist County works
- Household income in Gilchrist County
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Trenton and the rest of Gilchrist County
- Room for a loan payment in Gilchrist County
- Who lives in Gilchrist County, in numbers
- Borrowing situations common in Gilchrist County
- Checking a lender's license in Florida
- A Gilchrist County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Gilchrist County
- Frequently asked questions
Gilchrist County by the numbers
With an estimated 19,040 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Gilchrist County ranks 56th of 67 in Florida for population. Gilchrist County spans 350 square miles; with 19,040 people, that is 54.4 per square mile. Gilchrist County counts toward the Gainesville, FL metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Gainesville, FL include it. Trenton is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 2,320 people (12% of the county total).
The Gilchrist County housing market in figures
A typical Gilchrist County rental runs $926 a month including utilities, which is 45% below Florida. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 38% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $199,900, about 3.1 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 86%.
| Home costs | Gilchrist County | Florida | Compared with Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $926/mo | $1,669/mo | 45% lower |
| Median home value | $199,900 | $359,000 | 44% lower |
| Owners | 86% | 68% | +18.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 60% | -22.1 pts |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 35% | -3.2 pts |
At a $199,900 median value, many Gilchrist County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
How Gilchrist County ranks in Florida
Out of every Florida county, Gilchrist County is most unusual on these measures.
- Few Florida counties match Gilchrist County on homeownership: 86% here, 68% for the state, ranking 2nd highest of 67. Most households here own, so home equity is often an alternative to weigh.
- Gilchrist County ranks 2nd lowest of 67 Florida counties for the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 38%, against 60% statewide. Rents are manageable for most, which can leave space for savings.
- Few Florida counties match Gilchrist County on the share of mobile homes: 49.8% here, 8.0% for the state, ranking 3rd highest of 67. Repairs on manufactured homes are a common loan purpose; get written quotes.
Where Gilchrist County works
Education and health care (23%), retail trade (13%) and construction (11%) lead Gilchrist County's job mix. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 6% of workers here, versus 1% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 18% of Gilchrist County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 30% need 45 or more.
| Industry | Share of Gilchrist County workers | vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.5% | +1.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.7% | +0.8 pts |
| Construction | 11.2% | +2.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.4% | -3.7 pts |
| Public administration | 7.5% | +3.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.8% | +0.4 pts |
Self-employed in Gilchrist County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Household income in Gilchrist County
Gilchrist County households have a median income of $63,523 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 40th of 67 in Florida.
| Band | Gilchrist County | Compared with Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.4% | +3.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.6% | +3.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.4% | -2.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.6% | -4.4 pts |
Six-figure households (30%) outnumber those under $35,000 (25%) in Gilchrist County. Gilchrist County counts about 2,189 residents below the poverty line, 11.5% of the population. Gini index for Gilchrist County: 0.493. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Gilchrist County median.
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Distances run center to center, from Alachua County at 27 miles out to Union County at 34. Income ranges from $50,110 in Dixie County to $64,146 in Union County; 1 of these neighbors top Gilchrist County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilchrist County | - | $63,523 | $926/mo | 86% |
| Alachua County, FL | 27 mi | $61,949 | $1,339/mo | 54% |
| Dixie County, FL | 29 mi | $50,110 | $695/mo | 85% |
| Lafayette County, FL | 29 mi | $62,757 | $896/mo | 77% |
| Levy County, FL | 31 mi | $56,750 | $850/mo | 81% |
| Suwannee County, FL | 34 mi | $56,658 | $884/mo | 75% |
| Union County, FL | 34 mi | $64,146 | $894/mo | 75% |
Trenton and the rest of Gilchrist County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Gilchrist County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 4,380 residents, leaving about 77% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Bell has the highest median household income on the list ($65,938) and Trenton the lowest ($49,350), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Fanning Springs ($859) and steepest in Bell ($963). Live in one of these Gilchrist County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton | city | 2,320 | $49,350 | $927 | 8 mi |
| Fanning Springs | city | 942 | $53,618 | $859 | 12 mi |
| Bell | town | 563 | $65,938 | $963 | 5 mi |
| Spring Ridge | CDP | 555 | $65,568 | n/a | 8 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Gilchrist County
Here is the Gilchrist County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,294 before taxes
- 17% goes to median rent ($926)
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $980 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Gilchrist County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who lives in Gilchrist County, in numbers
College graduates make up 15% of the adult population. 12.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Gilchrist County | vs Florida | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.3% | -18.8 pts | -6.9 pts |
| Work from home | 6.4% | -9.3 pts | -2.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 13.2% | +3.1 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.5% | -1.4 pts | -0.9 pts |
| No health insurance | 12.8% | +1.3 pts | +5.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 11.5% | -1.1 pts | -1.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.7% | +0.7 pts | +1.3 pts |
| Median age | 43.2 | +0.6 yrs | +1.7 yrs |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 18.3% |
| 60+ min | 12.2% |
Borrowing situations common in Gilchrist County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Gilchrist County borrowers.
- Care without coverage. About 2,441 Gilchrist County residents lack insurance; check charity care before a loan (how).
- Keeping the car running. At 30% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Gilchrist County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Mobile homes in Gilchrist County. At 50% of units, they are a big part of local housing; check whether yours is titled as real or personal property.
Checking a lender's license in Florida
Before sharing details with a lender, a Gilchrist County resident can confirm its license with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Florida state guide for the statewide picture.
A Gilchrist County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Gilchrist County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Florida license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Gilchrist County
The Florida guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is $63,523 a good income in Gilchrist County?
It is the county median, so half of Gilchrist County households earn more and half less; 30% earn $100,000 or more.
What do renters pay in Gilchrist County?
$926 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Should Gilchrist County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 86% of Gilchrist County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live near Trenton. Which guide is mine?
This one. Trenton and the rest of Gilchrist County have no separate city guide.
Is the fit check different in Gilchrist County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.