Volusia’s population of about 538,000 is divided into east and
west Volusia. The St. Johns River flows north along the west
side, which includes the inland cities of DeLand and Deltona.
The Atlantic Ocean provides the county’s eastern border,
within which are the oceanfront cities of Daytona Beach and
Port Orange. Interstates 4 and 95 offer easy routes to Orlando,
Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami.
In addition to water sports along the beach and Intracoastal
Waterway, the St. Johns River and Lakes George, Monroe and
Harney provide opportunities for boating, fishing and other
water recreation. The SunRail commuter train makes its northernmost
stop in DeBary.
There are several choices for higher education: Daytona
State College, a branch campus of the University of Central
Florida, Bethune-Cookman University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University, Keiser College, Stetson University and
Nova Southeastern University.
Among the 16 municipalities, DeLand and Deltona to the
west and Daytona Beach and Port Orange in the east are the
largest. Here’s a look:
DELAND
Located between Interstate 4 and the St. Johns River, the
county seat is home to more than 32,000 people. Founded in
1876, the city boasts a downtown historic district with many
19th-century buildings. Nationally recognized Stetson University
was founded in DeLand in 1883. Today it has an enrollment
of more than 4,000. Skydive DeLand, a nationally known
skydiving facility, is based in DeLand.
58 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
Daytona Beach’s brightly lit
boardwalk is known to vacationers
and spring breakers, of course. But
the World’s Most Famous Beach
is within easy driving distance
of anywhere in Central Florida.
Volusia County’s new-home
developments are mostly within
15 minutes or so of the beach.
DELTONA
The most populous city in Volusia, with more than 90,000
residents, Deltona sits alongside I-4 and just to the north of Lake
Monroe. Originally called Deltona Lakes, it started in 1962 as a
planned residential community. It has remained mostly residential,
serving as a bedroom community for neighboring cities,
including Orlando and Daytona Beach. For the city’s younger
residents, there’s the Lake Butler Recreation Complex, which includes
a skate park, a playground and basketball courts.
DAYTONA BEACH
It has long called itself “The World’s Most Famous Beach.”
While that contention may draw arguments from some, Daytona
Beach does have many things going for it and its 68,000
residents. There are 23 miles of beaches with the Daytona Pier
and Boardwalk. The city is home to the Daytona Beach International
Airport, NASCAR, the Daytona International Speedway
and the LPGA. It’s also is the site of Bethune-Cookman
University, Daytona State College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University.
PORT ORANGE
Just a few miles south of Daytona Beach sits Port Orange,
with a population of more than 63,000. The city got its start
after the Civil War when Dr. John Milton Hawks, an abolitionist
and U.S. Army surgeon, brought 500 freed slaves to the area.
The history of their community, known as Freemanville, can
be traced in a display at the Mount Moriah Baptist Church,
which was built in 1911, on Orange Avenue.