North Central Florida is a region of the U.S. state of Florida in the north-central part of the state. Part of the North Florida vernacular region, the definition used by the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council includes Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Taylor, and Union counties, while the definition used by Florida Trend also includes Marion County. The region's largest city is Gainesville, home of the University of Florida and center of the Gainesville metropolitan area, which is the largest metro area of the region. As of 2020, the region had a population of 575,622 people.
The landscape and climate of north central Florida is considered to be humid subtropical. The main cultural hub and economic driver is the University of Florida in Gainesville.
Economy As of 2016, the region had Florida's largest concentration of 18 to 44-year-olds and people with advanced degrees thanks to the presence of the University of Florida and Santa Fe College in Gainesville.
The city of Alachua is home to one of the state's largest bio- and life-science corporate sectors.
Overall, education and healthcare are the leading employers in the region as several major hospitals are located in Gainesville, such as the UF Health Shands Hospital, HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, and the Malcolm Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Tourism is central to communities such as Cedar Key, White Springs, and Micanopy.
Leading employers as of 2016 are: # EmployerIndustry#of employees1University of FloridaEducation275672UF Health Shands SystemHealthcare127053Veterans Affairs Medical CenterHealthcare61274Alachua County School BoardPublic education39045City of GainesvilleCity government20726HCA Florida North Florida HospitalHealthcare20007Gator Dining ServicesFood service12008Nationwide Insurance CompanyInsurance9609Alachua CountyGovernment80910Publix SupermarketsGrocery78011Santa Fe CollegeEducation75012Wal-Mart Distribution CenterGrocery73813Dollar General Distribution CenterRetail60014RTI SurgicalOrthopedic/cardio implants51815Wal-Mart StoresGrocery312Total60524
Education The following institutions of higher education are located within north central Florida: University of Florida – Gainesville Santa Fe College – Gainesville, Alachua, Starke, Archer Florida Gateway College – Lake City North Florida College – Madison, Live Oak College of Central Florida – Chiefland North Florida Technical College – Starke City College Gainesville
Culture North central Florida is world-renowned for its fresh water springs and rivers which make it one of the best cave diving regions in the world. Several of the springs are connected to the Suwannee and Santa Fe River systems, some of the more popular being: Ginnie Springs Wes Skiles Peacock Springs Devil's Den Manatee Springs
There are a large number of nature parks and cultural centers throughout the area such as: Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park Big Shoals State Park Suwanee River State Park Ichetucknee Springs State Park Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Florida pioneer life in the 1800s is the focus at both Morningside Nature Center and Dudley Farm Historic State Park. There are several small, turn-of-the-century towns that represent the culture of the Deep South and are geared toward tourists: Cedar Key White Springs Steinhatchee Micanopy Melrose
Several museums of note spanning topics such as local and natural history, science, and art are: Florida Museum of Natural History Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History University Galleries Gainesville Fine Arts Association Gallery Matheson History Museum The Historic Thomas Center Cedar Key Museum State Park Micanopy Historical Society Museum Forest Capital Museum State Park
Gainesville is home to notable performing arts venues like the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, University Auditorium, Constans Theater, and The Hippodrome Theater. The Gainesville Orchestra has been performing regularly since 1983.
The most popular sporting events are the major sports associated with the University of Florida in Gainesville, including Florida Gator Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Gatornationals is one of the most important annual drag races for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).
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