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- 296K Residents
- $16B County GDP
- $54,600 GDP per Capita
Alachua County
Alachua County
Alachua County is the heart of north central Florida and home to Gainesville and the University of Florida. The economy blends a major research university, UF Health, biotech, and agriculture. The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller (J. K. "Jess" Irby) operates a custom records and tax deed system, and the county handles a steady stream of foreclosure, tax deed, and probate matters tied to a sizable rental and student-housing market.
Property in Alachua
What every owner, heir, and investor should know.
Owning a home in Alachua.
Alachua homeowners benefit from a stable, university-anchored housing market, but the rental concentration around UF means some neighborhoods see frequent title changes and code-enforcement activity.
- Florida Homestead Exemption (up to $50,000) and Save Our Homes 3% assessed-value cap apply to the principal residence.
- Tax bills mail Nov 1; 4% discount in November stepping down to 1% in February; delinquent April 1.
- Tax deed redemption rights run until the day of sale under Chapter 197, F.S.
- Foreclosure surplus claims: 60-day window for record-title owners under § 45.032, F.S.
- Storm/flood insurance is a real cost factor; check FEMA flood zones before buying.
Investing in Alachua.
Alachua delivers consistent investor activity around UF student housing, suburban Gainesville growth, and small-town markets in Newberry, Alachua, and High Springs.
- Tax deed sales run on RealTaxDeed (alachua.realtaxdeed.com).
- Foreclosure auctions on RealForeclose (alachua.realforeclose.com).
- Official Records via Alachua Clerk's online system.
- Property Appraiser parcel search at acpafl.org.
- Court case search via the clerk's portal.
- Watch for code enforcement liens, municipal utility liens, and student-rental zoning issues.
After a Alachua foreclosure or tax deed sale.
Alachua follows Florida's judicial foreclosure process and standard Chapter 197 tax deed sales, with online auctions through Real Auction.
- Foreclosures are filed in the 8th Judicial Circuit; auctions held on alachua.realforeclose.com.
- Surplus funds from foreclosure: claim under § 45.032, F.S. within 60 days of certificate of disbursement.
- Tax certificates auctioned annually by the Tax Collector; held 2 years before tax deed application.
- Tax deed sales hosted on alachua.realtaxdeed.com; surplus paid first to lienholders, then former owner.
- Notices published in The Gainesville Sun (legal newspaper of record) and online via the clerk.
Courts and records in Alachua.
- Alachua County Family/Civil Justice Center — 201 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601 — 8th Judicial Circuit — alachuaclerk.org
- Alachua County Criminal Justice Center — 220 S Main St, Gainesville, FL 32601
- 8th Judicial Circuit (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, Union)
- First District Court of Appeal — Tallahassee
- Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — J. K. "Jess" Irby, Esq. — 201 E University Ave — (352) 374-3636 — alachuaclerk.org
- Property Appraiser — Ayesha Solomon — 12 SE 1st St, Gainesville, FL 32601 — acpafl.org
- Tax Collector — John Power — 12 SE 1st St, Gainesville, FL 32601 — alachuacollector.com
- Sheriff — Chad Scott — 2621 SE Hawthorne Rd, Gainesville, FL 32641