Gilchrist County is located in in the northern half of Florida close to the Gulf of Mexico. It has a population of around 17,000, and Trenton is the county seat. The county was created in 1925 from Alachua County. The county was named after the previous Governor of Florida, Albert W. Gilchrist, who died just one year after his namesake was formed.
Gilchrist is one of the five smallest counties in Florida. Many see this as a distinct advantage as the area is easily managed and incredibly friendly. Despite its small size, the county is packed full of beauty and charm. The area is bordered on the west by the Suwannee River which is an ideal place for families to go to enjoy water activities such as fishing and boating.
The county is also home to one of Florida’s largest spring-fed swimming areas, Hart Springs. The springs are a popular location for tourists and residents to come to cool off on a hot Florida summer day. The park is proud of having an excellent system of wheelchair accessible paths, and visitors can camp in the forested areas around the park or rent beautiful, secluded homes for the weekend.
The rural county of Gilchrist is conveniently located, being close enough to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Gainesville to make day trips easily, but also far enough from busy tourist destinations to be a countryside haven for many residents. In short, the county has everything that one could wish for in a friendly rural community.