| Alachua County is a county with an estimated population of 223,852 as of 2005. Alachua County is best known for being the home of the University of Florida. Much of its economy revolves around the university. It's county seat is Gainseville and it includes the following incorporated towns or cities: Alachua, Archer, Hawthorne, High Springs, La Crosse, Micanopy, Newberry, and Waldo. It is said that the Alachua area was the first area occupied by the immigrant Oconees, the original Seminoles around 1740. What is now known as Payne's Prairie was the first town situated near the old Alachua plain in homage to "King" Payne who was chief of the Alachua settlements until his death in 1812. Alachua County is served by the School Board of Alachua County, which has about 75 different institutions within the county. It is also home to Santa Fe Community College. |