Updated June 22, 2026 · 779 residents
Gilmore is a quiet, residential community in Arlington that offers a peaceful, low-density environment near the St. Johns River. While the area provides a suburban feel with abundant greenery, residents should be aware of occasional noise from nearby transit routes and railroad tracks.
Key Highlights

The historic Gilmore community, located in the Arlington area of Jacksonville, overlooks Mill Cove along the St. Johns River. The area’s history is rooted in prehistoric Native American settlements, evidenced by local mounds. In 1885, Irish immigrant Archibald Gilmore homesteaded 80 acres of land south of Merrill Road, establishing a community that became known for its riverfront fish camps. The Gilmore family significantly shaped the area by platting subdivisions in 1914 and 1925, and donating land for the Gilmore Methodist Episcopal Church, which was organized in 1922. The community is also home to the Gilmore-Cameron Cemetery, the final resting place for many early settlers. Today, the area is recognized by a historical marker that commemorates its evolution from a pioneer homestead and fishing village into a residential community.
The area is defined by its subdued atmosphere and residential focus, characterized by a mix of single-family homes and wooded buffers. It maintains a balanced suburban layout that integrates natural forest cover with established housing clusters, offering a visual character that varies from standard suburban streets to more private, manicured properties. The environment is generally quiet, though proximity to major transit corridors and rail lines introduces periodic noise that can impact acoustic comfort.
For those considering this location, the neighborhood is well-suited for residents who prioritize a secluded, nature-oriented setting over high-density commercial activity. While the area provides ample space for outdoor activities like dog walking, it lacks significant local commercial destinations. Families will navigate the Duval County School District, which offers a diverse range of educational options, including competitive magnet programs, though the district is currently undergoing significant administrative and structural changes to address budget and enrollment shifts.
Housing layouts vary between clustered townhomes and single-family homes with wooded buffers, matching the typical density seen across Jacksonville. According to iHuus data, residents can expect a mix of closely spaced structures and properties with moderate spacing between neighbors.
Low traffic volumes and residential cul-de-sacs provide a safe environment for walking, though the lack of continuous sidewalks is consistent with the city average. Some paths may be partially obscured by dense tree canopy according to iHuus data.
Residential views range from standard suburban housing to more affluent pockets with manicured properties and private pools. This variety of streetscapes offers a higher level of visual interest than the Jacksonville average.
Abundant wooded buffers and large sports fields provide ample exercise space for pets. This area offers slightly more greenery and grass verges for dog walking than the Jacksonville average.
Residential layouts feature a consistent balance of single-family homes and green spaces, matching the broader Jacksonville urban-rural profile. According to iHuus data, the landscape includes dense forest cover and retention ponds interspersed with established housing clusters.
Primarily composed of single-family homes and dense forest cover, this area offers a very subdued atmosphere with minimal commercial activity. According to iHuus data, the neighborhood lacks significant local destinations and sits slightly below the city average for liveliness.
Frequent sounds from nearby railroad tracks and major transit routes make this area noisier than the Jacksonville average. According to iHuus data, residents may experience consistent acoustic disturbances from heavy traffic and rail activity.
Air quality levels fluctuate between acceptable and unhealthy, presenting occasional concerns for sensitive groups. This area maintains a slightly better air quality profile than the Jacksonville average, according to iHuus data.
Industrial activity is significantly lower than the Jacksonville average, with most of the area consisting of residential and recreational land use. While heavy industry is absent, some residents near storage facilities may experience increased freight traffic and loading dock noise.
Health insurance access among residents is slightly above the Jacksonville average, according to iHuus data. This indicates a moderate level of coverage for those living in the area.
Conservative viewpoints represent the majority of the community, though there is a modest presence of opposing perspectives. This political lean is slightly higher than the Jacksonville average according to iHuus data.
Young adults comprise the majority of the population, though there is a modest presence of families and older residents. This age profile leans slightly more towards a younger demographic than the Jacksonville average, according to iHuus data.
Flood safety levels in Gilmore are slightly higher than the Jacksonville average, though precise risk assessments remain undetermined due to a lack of detailed federal studies. Residents should account for potential water concerns when considering long term property stability according to iHuus data.
iHuus Neighborhood Intelligence Insights
No credit card required
| Dimension | Gilmore | 29th and Chase |
|---|---|---|
| 🚶 Walkabilityavg 3.96 | ||
| 🔊 Acoustic Comfortavg 4.37 | ||
| 🤫 Privacy Indexavg 4.3 | ||
| 🎨 Visual Appealavg 4.24 | ||
| 🐕 Dog Friendlinessavg 4.28 | ||
| 🗺️ Urban-Rural Indexavg 5.22 | ||
| ✨ Neighborhood Vibeavg 1.5 | ||
| 🏥 Health Insurance Coverageavg 4.35 | ||
| 🌿 Air Qualityavg 3.84 | ||
| 🏭 Industrial Proximityavg 5.11 | ||
| 🌊 Flood Safetyavg 4.01 | ||
| 🗳️ Ideological Leanavg 2.75 | ||
| 👥 Population Age Profileavg 3.26 | ||
| 🔥 Fire Safety | ||
| 🏫 School Quality |
Duval County Public Schools functions as a Mixed/Transition district defined by a stark contrast between its nationally recognized flagship academies and struggling neighborhood schools. Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier, who took office in 2024, the district is navigating a complex right-sizing process to address nearly 30,000 empty seats. This effort has led to a series of contentious school consolidations and intense public debate over a projected 100 million dollar budget deficit, drawing scrutiny from state officials and local families alike. For homebuyers, the district offers exceptional educational opportunities through highly sought-after magnet and advanced studies programs, such as Stanton College Preparatory and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. However, the ongoing consolidation of under-enrolled elementary schools and persistent achievement gaps in the urban core present a highly uneven landscape. While the district's overall financial reserves remain stable, the friction of managing declining enrollment and consolidating neighborhood campuses means that a family's experience will depend heavily on school zoning and access to the district's premier specialized programs.
Schools
Below average outcomes; significant attendance and academic challenges.
School Insights
No credit card required