Archer is a city in Alachua County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 1,140, up from 1,118 at the 2010 census. The city is named after James T. Archer, the first Florida Secretary of State.

History

The City of Archer started in the 1840s as a frontier village named both Deer Hammock or Darden's Hammock. Archer was officially incorporated as a city in 1850. The first trains stopped in Archer in 1859. The Florida Railroad reached the village in 1858, which shifted the site of the city eastward. At this point the city was renamed Archer, after James T. Archer, who was Florida's first Secretary of State.

Geography

The approximate coordinates for the City of Archer is located in North Central Florida at 29.53153°N, -82.51963°W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.0 km2, of which 17.8 sqkm is land and 0.1 sqkm, or 0.60%, is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Archer has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

Demographics

2010 and 2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,140 people, 415 households, and 229 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,118 people, 469 households, and 246 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,289 people, 487 households, and 319 families residing in the city. The population density was 542.6 PD/sqmi. There were 529 housing units at an average density of 222.7 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 60.74% White, 37.63% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.16% Asian, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.25% of the population. In 2000, there were 487 households, out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 20.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.32. In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 31.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.2 males. In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $27,875, and the median income for a family was $35,278. Males had a median income of $26,591 versus $21,613 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,345. About 19.3% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 20.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Archer is served by the School Board of Alachua County, which operates an elementary school in the city. Students in sixth through eighth grade attend middle school in nearby Newberry. Students in ninth through twelfth grade attend Newberry High School in Newberry.

Library

The Alachua County Library District operates a branch library in the city.

Notable people