Volusia County, Florida
Encyclopedia
Volusia County is a county
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...

 located in the state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...

 of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

. The U.S. Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...

 2010 official county's population was 494,593 http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2006-01-12.xls. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....

 is DeLand
DeLand, Florida
DeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, Florida. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population to be 24,375. It is part of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 436,575 in 2006...

, and its most populous city is currently Deltona
Deltona, Florida
Deltona is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida and is the largest city in Volusia County. It is located east of DeBary and north of Lake Monroe. It is the twenty-ninth largest city in Florida, with a 2010 Census population of 85,182...

.

Volusia County is coextensive with the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach-New Smyrna Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, a metropolitan statistical area designated by the Office of Management and Budget for statistical purposes and used by the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...

 and other agencies. It is the 103rd-largest in population in the United States
Table of United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas
thumb|An enlargeable map of the 942 [[Core Based Statistical Area]]s of the [[United States]]. The 367 [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]]s are shown in red....

 as of the 2010 Census estimate.

Volusia County is traversed from north to south by the important highways Interstate 95
Interstate 95
Interstate 95 is the main highway on the East Coast of the United States, running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Florida and serving some of the most populated urban areas in the country, including Boston, Providence, New Haven, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore,...

 and U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1 in Florida
U.S. Route 1 in Florida runs along the state's east coast from Key West to its crossing of the St. Marys River into Georgia north of Boulogne, and south of Folkston. US 1 was designated through Florida when the U.S. Highway System was established in 1926.US 1 runs in the state of Florida, and...

. It also sits at the northeastern end of the Interstate 4
Interstate 4
Interstate 4 is a intrastate Highway located entirely within the state of Florida, United States. It goes from Interstate 275 in Tampa, Florida to Interstate 95 at Daytona Beach, Florida . It also has the Florida Department of Transportation designation of State Road 400, but only a small...

, where it merges with Interstate 95
Interstate 95
Interstate 95 is the main highway on the East Coast of the United States, running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Florida and serving some of the most populated urban areas in the country, including Boston, Providence, New Haven, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore,...

.

History

Volusia County was named after the then-largest-community, Volusia, when the Florida legislature divided Orange County on December 29, 1854. At the time, Volusia County had as few as 600 residents.

The origins of the word "Volusia" are unclear, though there are several theories:
  1. The name came from from a word meaning "Land of the Euchee," from the Euchee
    Yuchi
    For the Chinese surname 尉迟, see Yuchi.The Yuchi, also spelled Euchee and Uchee, are a Native American Indian tribe who traditionally lived in the eastern Tennessee River valley in Tennessee in the 16th century. During the 17th century, they moved south to Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina...

     indians who migrated into the area after the Timucua
    Timucua
    The Timucua were a Native American people who lived in Northeast and North Central Florida and southeast Georgia. They were the largest indigenous group in that area and consisted of about 35 chiefdoms, many leading thousands of people. The various groups of Timucua spoke several dialects of the...

     indian cultures faded away in the early 1700's.The Euchees (or Uchees) lived in the area of Spring Gardens, about ten miles south of Volusia.
  2. The name was taken from the a British man named Voluz who owned a plantation located on the St. Johns River in the late 1700s.
  3. The name originated from the last name Veluche belonging to the French or Belgian owner of the trading post in Volusia. According to some, this was during the British regime, and according to others, it was around 1818. Over time, the name Veluche became anglicized to Volusia.
  4. The town was established by and named for Jere Volusia.
  5. The settlement was named by the Spanish after the celebrated Roman jurist Volusio, who wrote 30 books and tutored Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and philosopher.


The land area of present day Volusia County was inhabited by the indigenous Timucua
Timucua
The Timucua were a Native American people who lived in Northeast and North Central Florida and southeast Georgia. They were the largest indigenous group in that area and consisted of about 35 chiefdoms, many leading thousands of people. The various groups of Timucua spoke several dialects of the...

, and Mayaca people . Neither group exists today as distinct racial entities, having been decimated by war and disease after contact with European settlers. Evidence of their habitation can still be seen in various areas of Volusia County such as the large shell midden
Midden
A midden, is an old dump for domestic waste which may consist of animal bone, human excrement, botanical material, vermin, shells, sherds, lithics , and other artifacts and ecofacts associated with past human occupation...

s at Tomoka State Park
Tomoka State Park
Tomoka State Park is an Florida State Park located along the Tomoka River, three miles north of Ormond Beach on North Beach Street.-Fauna:...

.

During the British occupation of Florida, a failed colony was started in southeast Volusia County by Andrew Turnbull, known as New Smyrna
Smyrna
Smyrna was an ancient city located at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Thanks to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The ancient city is located at two sites within modern İzmir, Turkey...

. This colony was connected to St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...

, the capital of East Florida
East Florida
East Florida was a colony of Great Britain from 1763–1783 and of Spain from 1783–1822. East Florida was established by the British colonial government in 1763; as its name implies it consisted of the eastern part of the region of Florida, with West Florida comprising the western parts. Its capital...

, via the Kings Road. After the failure of the colony the settlers, many of Minorca
Minorca
Min Orca or Menorca is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. It takes its name from being smaller than the nearby island of Majorca....

n heritage made the 70 miles (112.7 km) journey to live in St. Augustine.

The Seminole
Seminole
The Seminole are a Native American people originally of Florida, who now reside primarily in that state and Oklahoma. The Seminole nation emerged in a process of ethnogenesis out of groups of Native Americans, most significantly Creeks from what is now Georgia and Alabama, who settled in Florida in...

 indians, descendants of the Creek tribe of Alabama and Georgia who resisted forced relocation to Indian Territory
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...

 also camped in various parts of Volusia County. During the Second Seminole War
Second Seminole War
The Second Seminole War, also known as the Florida War, was a conflict from 1835 to 1842 in Florida between various groups of Native Americans collectively known as Seminoles and the United States, part of a series of conflicts called the Seminole Wars...

 (1836–1842) a large sugar plantation in what is today the city of Daytona Beach was burned by the Seminole.

On the east shore of the St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...

 in Volusia, in present day Debary, General Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott was a United States Army general, and unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Whig Party in 1852....

 established a fort/depot in 1836 named Fort Florida.

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1432.44 square miles (3,710 km²), of which 1103.25 square miles (2,857.4 km²) (or 77.02%) is land and 329.19 square miles (852.6 km²) (or 22.98%) is water.

Volusia County is bordered on the west by the St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...

 and Lake Monroe
Lake Monroe (Florida)
Lake Monroe is one of the lakes that make up the St. Johns River system. The port city of Sanford is situated along the southern shore, while DeBary and Deltona are located along the northern shore. Two major central Florida roadways that run near the lake are State Road 415 and Interstate 4...

, and by the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Roughly the size of Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...

, Volusia is situated 50 miles (80.5 km) northeast of Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...

, 60 miles (96.6 km) north of the Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
The John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Although such flights are currently on hiatus, KSC continues to manage and operate unmanned rocket launch facilities for America's civilian space program...

, and 89 miles (143.2 km) south of Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...

.

Volusia County is the sole county in the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Regions

The Volusia County Government divides the county into three regions. This parallels the three calling regions used by BellSouth
BellSouth
BellSouth Corporation is an American telecommunications holding company based in Atlanta, Georgia. BellSouth was one of the seven original Regional Bell Operating Companies after the U.S...

, the regional phone company:

East Volusia - also known as the Greater Daytona Beach Area, or the Halifax Area (named for the Halifax River which runs through the area), this region includes the cities of Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Holly Hill, Ormond Beach, Ponce Inlet, Port Orange, and South Daytona; and the surrounding unincorporated areas close to these cities.

Southeast Volusia - also known as the Greater New Smyrna Beach Area, this region includes the cities of New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, and Oak Hill; also the unincorporated areas close to these cities.

West Volusia - also called Saint John's River Country (named for the Saint John's River which lies nearby), this region includes the cities of Barberville, Debary, DeLand, De Leon Springs, Deltona, Glenwood, Lake Helen, Orange City, Pierson, and Seville; as well as the surrounding unincorporated areas close to these cities. Deltona is the largest city in Volusia County.

Adjacent counties

  • Flagler County, Florida
    Flagler County, Florida
    Flagler County was created in 1917 from portions of Saint Johns and Volusia counties. It was named for Henry Morrison Flagler, a famous railroad builder who built the Florida East Coast Railway. Bunnell is the county seat of Flagler County....

     - north
  • Brevard County, Florida
    Brevard County, Florida
    Brevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population is 536,521, making it the 10th most populous county in the state. Influenced by the presence of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Brevard...

     - south
  • Orange County, Florida
    Orange County, Florida
    Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 1,145,956....

     - south
  • Seminole County, Florida
    Seminole County, Florida
    Seminole County is a county in the U.S. state of Florida. Located between Orlando to the south and Deland and Daytona Beach to the north, it is part of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. Its county seat and largest city is Sanford...

     - southwest
  • Lake County, Florida
    Lake County, Florida
    Lake County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 307,243. Its county seat is Tavares...

     - west
  • Marion County, Florida
    Marion County, Florida
    Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 316,183. Its county seat is Ocala....

     - northwest
  • Putnam County, Florida
    Putnam County, Florida
    Putnam County is a county located in the state of Florida. The entire county makes up the Palatka Micropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 70,423. The U.S. Census Bureau 2009 estimate for the county was 72,893 . Its county seat is Palatka, Florida. The county is centrally...

     - northwest

Parks and gardens

  • Blue Spring State Park
    Blue Spring State Park
    Blue Spring State Park is a state park located west of Orange City, Florida in the United States. The park is a popular tourist destination; available activities include canoeing, SCUBA diving, kayaking, fishing, camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and swimming. The spring is the largest on the St....

  • Bulow Creek State Park
    Bulow Creek State Park
    Bulow Creek State Park is a Florida State Park located five miles north of Ormond Beach. It is on Old Dixie Highway , next to the Atlantic Ocean...

  • Canaveral National Seashore
    Canaveral National Seashore
    The Canaveral National Seashore is a National Seashore located between New Smyrna Beach and Titusville, Florida, in Volusia County and Brevard County, United States. The park, located on a barrier island, is home to more than 1,000 plant species and 310 bird species. CANA occupies 58,000 acres ...

  • De Leon Springs State Park
    De Leon Springs State Park
    De Leon Springs State Park is a Florida State Park in Volusia County, Florida. It is located in De Leon Springs, off CR 3.-Geology:The park covers 611 acres of Volusia County, built around a natural sulfur spring, flowing at a rate of about a day, that remains 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round and...

  • Dunlawton Plantation and Sugar Mill
    Dunlawton Plantation and Sugar Mill
    The Dunlawton Plantation and Sugar Mill was a plantation that was destroyed by the Seminoles at the beginning of the Second Seminole War. The ruins are located west of Port Orange, Florida off Nova Road.On August 28, 1973, it was added to the U.S...

  • Hontoon Island State Park
    Hontoon Island State Park
    Hontoon Island State Park is a Florida State Park located on Hontoon Island between the St. Johns River and the Hontoon Dead River in Volusia County. It is six miles west of DeLand, off SR 44, and can only be reached by boat or park operated ferry. The island has pine flatwoods, palm and oak...

  • Lake George State Forest
    Lake George State Forest
    The Lake George State Forest is a designated protected area and state forest in the U.S. state of Florida. The forest is located in northwestern Volusia County, Florida, near Lake George and the communities of Pierson, Barberville, and Volusia...

  • Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
    Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
    The Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located in north central Florida, twenty-five miles west of Daytona Beach, off U.S. Highway 17 in DeLeon Springs....

  • North Peninsula State Park
    North Peninsula State Park
    North Peninsula State Park is a Florida State Park, located north of Ormond-By-The-Sea and east of the Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park, off A1A.-References and external links:* at...

  • Ormond Beach Memorial Art Museum and Gardens
  • Tiger Bay State Forest
    Tiger Bay State Forest
    The Tiger Bay State Forest is in the U.S. state of Florida. The forest is located in Volusia County, Florida, between Daytona Beach and DeLand.-History:...

  • Tomoka State Park
    Tomoka State Park
    Tomoka State Park is an Florida State Park located along the Tomoka River, three miles north of Ormond Beach on North Beach Street.-Fauna:...


Rivers and Waterways

  • Atlantic Ocean
    Atlantic Ocean
    The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...

  • Halifax River
    Halifax River
    The Halifax River is part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, located in northeast Volusia County, Florida. The waterway was originally known as the North Mosquito River, but was renamed after George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax, during the British occupation of Florida .-Geography:The...

  • Intracoastal Waterway
    Intracoastal Waterway
    The Intracoastal Waterway is a 3,000-mile waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Some lengths consist of natural inlets, salt-water rivers, bays, and sounds; others are artificial canals...

  • Lake George
    Lake George (Florida)
    Lake George or Lake Welaka is a broad and shallow brackish lake on the St. Johns River in the U.S. state of Florida.-Geography:Lake George is six miles wide and eleven miles long, with an average depth of 8 feet . The west side of the lake is encompassed in the Ocala National Forest...

  • Lake Monroe
    Lake Monroe (Florida)
    Lake Monroe is one of the lakes that make up the St. Johns River system. The port city of Sanford is situated along the southern shore, while DeBary and Deltona are located along the northern shore. Two major central Florida roadways that run near the lake are State Road 415 and Interstate 4...

  • Mosquito Lagoon
    Mosquito Lagoon
    Mosquito Lagoon is located in the northern part of the Indian River Lagoon system and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. It extends from Ponce de León Inlet in Volusia County, Florida, to the north end of Merritt Island. It connects to the Indian River via the Haulover Canal. The Lagoon divides...

  • Ponce de León Inlet
    Ponce de León Inlet
    The Ponce de León Inlet is a natural opening in the barrier islands in northern Florida that connects the north end of the Mosquito Lagoon and the south end of the Halifax River to the Atlantic Ocean. It is the site of the town of Ponce Inlet, Florida and the Ponce de Leon Inlet Light...

  • St. Johns River
    St. Johns River
    The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...

  • Tomoka River
    Tomoka River
    The Tomoka River is a north-flowing river in Volusia County, Florida, United States. It drains an area of about and is the longest river in Volusia County , with a length of .- Geography :...


Major attractions

  • Daytona International Speedway
    Daytona International Speedway
    Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...

     in Daytona Beach
  • Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach
  • New Smyrna Speedway
    New Smyrna Speedway
    New Smyrna Speedway is an asphalt track that is 0.48 of a mile in length, located near New Smyrna Beach, Florida, that races Florida Association of Stock Car Automobile Racing stock cars every Saturday night. It also has a smaller track, known as "Little New Smyrna Speedway" in the infield...

     in New Smyrna Beach
  • Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum
    Ponce de Leon Inlet Light
    The Ponce de Leon Inlet Light is a lighthouse and museum located at Ponce de León Inlet in Central Florida. At in height, it is the tallest lighthouse in the state and one of the tallest in the United States . It is located between St. Augustine Light and Cape Canaveral Light...

     in Ponce Inlet
  • The Ocean Center
    Ocean Center
    The Ocean Center is a multi-purpose facility, in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA. It was built in 1985 and expanded in 2009, doubling the facility's size...

     (convention center) in Daytona Beach
  • Volusia County Fair and Expo Center
    Volusia County Fair and Expo Center
    The Volusia County Fair and Expo Center is a combination fairgrounds and convention center located in DeLand, Florida. It consists of two indoor arenas and two exhibit halls:-The arenas:...

     in DeLand
  • Volusia Speedway Park
    Volusia Speedway Park
    Volusia Speedway Park is an auto racing facility located near Barberville in Volusia County, Florida. It operates a 1/2-mile dirt oval, a 3/8-mile asphalt oval and a 1/8-mile dirt oval for karts...

     in Barberville

Law and government

Under Volusia County's council-manager form of government, voters elect a county council which consists of seven members who serve four-year terms. Five are elected by district, the county chair and at-large representative are elected county-wide.

The county council establish ordinances and policies for the county. It also reviews and approves the county budget annually. The commission appoints a county manager, who carries out the will of the commission and handles day-to-day business.

Elected officials

  • County Chair: Frank Bruno Jr.
  • Commissioner-At-Large: Joyce Cusack
  • District 1 Commissioner - Andy Kelly
  • District 2 Commissioner - Joshua J. Wagner
  • District 3 Commissioner - Joie Alexander
  • District 4 Commissioner - Carl G. Persis
  • District 5 Commissioner and Vice Chair - Pat Northey
  • County Manager (appointed) - James Dinneen


The following are considered state officials but are elected and paid by the county:
  • Sheriff - Ben F. Johnson
  • Clerk of the Courts - Diane M. Matousek
  • Property Appraiser - Morgan B. Gilreath Jr.
  • Supervisor of Elections - Ann McFall
  • State Attorney - R.J. Larizza
  • Public Defender - James S. Purdy

County offices

  • Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand 32720
  • Daytona Beach Administration Building, 250 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach 32114
  • New Smyrna Beach Administration Office, 111 Canal St., New Smyrna Beach 32168
  • Orange City Administration Office, 2744 Enterprise Rd., Orange City 32763

Justice

The county has centralized most county courts in DeLand which try a variety of cases including felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, and domestic. An elected prosecutor tries cases for the public. Defendants can be represented through the auspices of the office of the elected public defender.

The County elects a sheriff, immediately responsible to the courts but also to the state for the enforcement of state laws. Volusia county sheriff's deputies provide law enforcement to the unincorporated areas of Volusia County, as well as assisting in the various municipal police departments such as the Daytona Beach Police Department
Daytona Beach Police Department
The Daytona Beach Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for Daytona Beach, Florida. There are 241 sworn full-time police officers, 105 sworn part-time officers and 81 civilians on the force which is headed by Michael Chitwood who serves as the chief, with Deputy Police Chief Ben...



Many volunteers work alongside the paid professionals. Included are Citizen Observer Program (C.O.P.). C.O.P. volunteers work under the direction of the county sheriff and play a part in the county's policing operations.

The Volusia County Branch Jail is a modern facility, located on Highway US-92 (International Speedway Boulevard), approximately halfway between DeLand and Daytona Beach. The county jail retains prisoners who have been sentenced to a year or less. Longer sentences must be served in state prisons.

Libraries

The county centrally controls 16 libraries with Deland and Daytona (City Island) being the two largest libraries. Collections included 869,491 books, 83,943 videos, 58,784 audio materials, 2,051 magazines and newspapers, over 100,000 government documents and 51 licensed databases. Personal computers for public use are hooked up on broadband in all libraries. An estimated 230,000 Volusia County residents have library cards. One library card is valid at all locations, and materials are loaned between locations through a daily courier service and outside the libraries via Inter-Library Loan. Library cards are free for all Volusia County residents.

Economy

The overall Gross Metro Product (GMP) for Volusia County economy increased from $12.98-billion in 2005 to $13.69-billion in 2006; a $709.9-million increase. The GMP is an annual measurement of the total economic output and sales of goods and services provided within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) that comprises all of Volusia County and its 16 cities. A GMP of $13.69-billion represents a significant circulation of new capital resources in an economy populated by just over 500,000 residents.

Local consumer confidence and a continued immigration of an estimated 28,800 new residents, new capital investments for new construction exceeding $1.11-billion and the steady growth of professional and health care services continued to drive much of the County’s economic viability.

Volusia County’s manufacturing sector maintained a steady and stable position within the local economy contrary to the declining trends being experienced elsewhere within the State of Florida. The overall number of manufacturers present within the county increased to over 430 in 2006 and accounted for a large portion of the county’s GMP. Manufacturing maintains one of the highest of all average wage levels within the county and generates a higher rate of circulation of economic impact than any other business sector that comprises the local economy.

Volusia County’s manufacturing sector generated an average annual wage of $37,632 in 2006, well above the county’s average annual wage of $32,200 for all workers. http://www.floridabusiness.org/

Demographics

As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...

of 2000, there were 443,343 people, 184,723 households, and 120,069 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...

 was 402 people per square mile (155/km²). There were 211,938 housing units at an average density of 192 per square mile (74/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.11% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 9.29% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

 or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 0.31% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 1.00% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 0.04% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 1.82% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, and 1.43% from two or more races. 6.57% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

 or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

 of any race. 13.7% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....

, 11.5% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...

, 11.2% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...

, 10.7% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 and 8.7% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 184,723 households out of which 24.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.40% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...

 living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.00% were non-families. 27.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the county the population was spread out with 20.30% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 22.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,219, and the median income for a family was $41,767. Males had a median income of $30,573 versus $22,471 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...

 for the county was $19,664. About 7.90% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.30% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those age 65 or over.

Incorporated

As of August 2007, Volusia County has 16 incorporated cities and towns.

Major roads

  • Interstate 95
    Interstate 95 in Florida
    Interstate 95 is the main Interstate Highway on the east coast of the United States; it serves the Atlantic coast of Florida. It begins at a partial interchange with U.S. Highway 1 just south of downtown Miami, and heads north past Daytona Beach and Jacksonville to the Georgia state line at the St...

  • Interstate 4
    Interstate 4
    Interstate 4 is a intrastate Highway located entirely within the state of Florida, United States. It goes from Interstate 275 in Tampa, Florida to Interstate 95 at Daytona Beach, Florida . It also has the Florida Department of Transportation designation of State Road 400, but only a small...

  • U.S. 1
    U.S. Route 1 in Florida
    U.S. Route 1 in Florida runs along the state's east coast from Key West to its crossing of the St. Marys River into Georgia north of Boulogne, and south of Folkston. US 1 was designated through Florida when the U.S. Highway System was established in 1926.US 1 runs in the state of Florida, and...

  • US 17
    U.S. Route 17 in Florida
    U.S. Route 17 in Florida is a north–south United States Highway. It runs from the Punta Gorda, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area northeast to the Greater Jacksonville Metropolitan Area....

  • US 92
  • SR A1A
    Florida State Road A1A
    State Road A1A is a Florida State Road that runs mostly along the Atlantic Ocean, with sections from Key West at the southern tip of Florida, to Callahan, just south of Georgia. It is the main road through most oceanfront towns. SR A1A is designated the A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Highway, a...

  • SR 40
  • SR 44
  • SR 5A
    Florida State Road 5A
    State Road 5A, also known as Nova Road, is a north south highway that begins and ends at U.S. Highway 1 , in Port Orange and Ormond Beach, respectively...

  • SR 421
  • SR 11
  • SR 483

Public transportation

Volusia County Public Transit System
Volusia County Public Transit System
Volusia County Public Transit System, more commonly referred to as VOTRAN, is the public transportation agency of Volusia County, Florida, United States...

 (VOTRAN) is the name of the local Volusia County bus service. It is an inexpensive way to get around and is handicapped-accessible. The buses offer service throughout the county, Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Limited service is offered in East Volusia in the evenings and on Sundays. Buses travel to most places of interest. The cost is $1.25 per trip, $3.00 for a one-day bus pass, or $40 for a 31-day pass (valid for all VOTRAN routes). There is also a VOTRAN transfer station (Intermodal Transit Facility - ITF) located inside the Volusia County Parking Garage in Daytona Beach.

Service between Volusia County and Orlando is provided by LYNX
Lynx (transportation)
LYNX is a bus system run by the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, serving the Orlando, Florida region. Bus routes are referred to as Links. Standard adult one-way fare is $2 with free single transfers valid for 90 minutes...

 from Orange City, serving Heathrow and Downtown Orlando via Interstate 4. The LYNX route operates Monday through Friday with three trips in each direction. The regular fare is $3.50 per trip or $80 for a monthly pass.

Service to Orlando is planned to be expanded in the form of SunRail
SunRail
SunRail is a planned commuter rail system in the greater Orlando, Florida area, linking Poinciana to DeLand through Downtown Orlando...

, a commuter rail line running from Volusia to Osceola County with the initial phase starting in 2013. In the initial phase, service will extend to Debary
DeBary, Florida
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,559 people, 6,538 households, and 4,720 families residing in the city. The population density was 853.8 inhabitants per square mile . There were 7,001 housing units at an average density of 384.2 per square mile...

. A planned expansion would include the DeLand Amtrak station
DeLand (Amtrak station)
The DeLand Amtrak station is located several miles west of downtown DeLand, at the location formerly known as DeLand Junction. DeLand Station was originally built in 1918, and stood across from the former Volusia County Fairgrounds...

 in 2015.

Education

Public primary and secondary education is handled by Volusia County Schools
Volusia County Schools
Volusia County Schools is the public school district for Volusia County, Florida. The district serves the 16 cities of Daytona Beach, DeBary, Deland, DeLeon Springs, Deltona, Edgewater, Enterprise, Holly Hill, Lake Helen, New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill, Whorange City, Ormond Beach, Osteen, Pierson, and...

. Some of the larger private schools include Father Lopez Catholic High School
Father Lopez Catholic High School
Father Lopez Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando. 265 students are enrolled.- History :...

.

Middle schools

  • Campbell Middle School
  • Creekside Middle School
    Volusia County Schools
    Volusia County Schools is the public school district for Volusia County, Florida. The district serves the 16 cities of Daytona Beach, DeBary, Deland, DeLeon Springs, Deltona, Edgewater, Enterprise, Holly Hill, Lake Helen, New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill, Whorange City, Ormond Beach, Osteen, Pierson, and...

  • David C. Hinson Middle School
  • Deland Middle School
  • Deltona Middle School
  • Galaxy Middle School
  • Heritage Middle School
    Heritage Middle School
    Heritage Middle School is a public middle school in Livingston, in Essex County, New Jersey, as part of the Livingston Public Schools. It is the only public school in Livingston that serves students in seventh through eighth grade, receiving sixth grade graduates from Mt. Pleasant Middle School....

  • Holly Hill School
  • New Smyrna Beach Middle School
  • Ormond Beach Middle School
    Ormond Beach Middle School
    Ormond Beach Middle School located in Ormond Beach, Florida, is home to 1,040 - 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, and is a member of the Volusia County School District. OBMS is graded "A" by the Florida Department of Education...

  • River Springs Middle School
  • Silver Sands Middle School
  • Southwestern Middle School
  • T. Dewitt Taylor Middle High School

High schools

  • Atlantic High School
    Atlantic High School (Port Orange, Florida)
    Atlantic High School is a public high school located in Port Orange, Florida. The school started in 1994 and currently serves about 1,100 students in grades 9 to 12 and is part of Volusia County Schools.-Athletics:...

  • DeLand High School
    DeLand High School
    DeLand High School is a public high school in DeLand, Florida established in 1922, with an enrollment of 3,616 students, a student/teacher ratio of 16.5, and a graduation rate above 90%.-Controversies:...

  • Deltona High School
    Deltona High School
    Deltona High School is a public, four-year high school located in Deltona, Florida, United States. Operated by the Volusia County School Board, the school was established in 1988 as the city of Deltona's first high school. Its school mascot is the wolf...

  • Mainland High School
    Mainland High School
    Mainland High School is a public high school located in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is attended by 1,979 students of grades nine through twelve. The mascot is a Buccaneer and strongly resembles the old logo of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.-Daytona Public School:...

  • New Smyrna Beach High School
    New Smyrna Beach High School
    New Smyrna Beach High School is a high school located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Their mascot is the Barracuda, which is most commonly referred to as the "Cuda." The high school opened in 1963 on what is now called Barracuda Boulevard...

  • Pine Ridge High School
    Pine Ridge High School
    Pine Ridge High School is a high school located in Deltona, Florida. It was built in 1994 and is located at 926 Howland Blvd, near S.R. 415. Pine Ridge High School's team mascot is the Panther and its colors are teal, black, and gold....

  • Seabreeze High School
    Seabreeze High School
    Seabreeze High School is a high school located in Daytona Beach, Florida. The school has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.- Notable alumni :...

  • Spruce Creek High School
    Spruce Creek High School
    Spruce Creek High School is a public secondary school located in the city of Port Orange, Florida. It is the largest IB high school in North America and is one of Newsweek's Top 100 High Schools.. Spruce Creek High School is part of the Volusia County Schools system, which encompasses eight other...

  • T. Dewitt Taylor Middle High School
  • University High School
    University High School (Orange City)
    University High School is a public four-year high school in Orange City, Florida established in 2010, with an expected enrollment of around 2,150 students. It is Volusia County's first high school since 1994 . The high school's capacity exceeds any other school in the county...


Colleges and universities

  • Bethune-Cookman University
  • Daytona State College
  • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach
    Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach is a residential campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The university offers bachelor's and master's degrees in aeronautical science , aerospace engineering and other aerospace fields.-History:Embry-Riddle began in 1925 as the...

  • Keiser University
  • Palmer College of Chiropractic
    Palmer College of Chiropractic
    Palmer College of Chiropractic is a chiropractic school located in Davenport, Iowa. It was established in 1897 by Daniel David Palmer and is considered "The Fountainhead" as it was the first school of chiropractic in the world. For many years, Palmer College of Chiropractic was the world's largest...

  • Stetson University
    Stetson University
    Stetson University is a private university with four colleges and schools located across the I-4 corridor in Central Florida. The primary undergraduate campus is located in DeLand, Florida, USA. In the 2012 U.S...

  • University of Central Florida
    University of Central Florida
    The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...

     (Daytona Beach branch campus)


Vocational

  • Advanced Technology College
    Advanced Technology College
    The Advanced Technology College is a two-year technical college located in Daytona Beach, Florida in the United States. This technical college carries courses such as computer technology, construction, manufacturing, engineering, and automotive services.The ATC is involved in a joint-partnership...

     (Daytona Beach)
  • International Academy Beauty School (South Daytona)
  • Florida Technical College
    Florida Technical College
    Florida Technical College is a private, for profit two-year college with campuses in Deland, Orlando, Kissimmee, and Lakeland, Florida. Its parent firm EduK is owned by the private equity firm Leeds Equity Partners...

     (DeLand)
  • Palmer College of Chiropractic
    Palmer College of Chiropractic
    Palmer College of Chiropractic is a chiropractic school located in Davenport, Iowa. It was established in 1897 by Daniel David Palmer and is considered "The Fountainhead" as it was the first school of chiropractic in the world. For many years, Palmer College of Chiropractic was the world's largest...

     (Port Orange)
  • Phoenix East Aviation (Daytona Beach)
  • The Airline Academy (Daytona Beach)
  • WyoTech (formerly AMI) (Daytona Beach)

Newspapers

  • The Daytona Beach News-Journal - Online edition of daily newspaper covering the Greater Daytona Beach Area.
  • The DeLand-Deltona Beacon http://www.beacononlinenews.com/ - Weekly news publication covering DeLand and West Volusia.
  • Orlando Sentinel
    Orlando Sentinel
    The Orlando Sentinel is the primary newspaper of the Orlando, Florida region. It was founded in 1876. The Sentinel is owned by Tribune Company and is overseen by the Chicago Tribune. As of 2005, the Sentinel’s president and publisher was Kathleen Waltz; she announced her resignation in February 2008...

    - Newspaper and news site based in Orlando with a bureau covering Volusia County.
  • The Avion Newspaper
    The Avion Newspaper
    The Avion Newspaper is the college newspaper of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. The newspaper publishes weekly, and has a print circulation of approximately 4,000...

    - Student college publication
    Student newspaper
    A student newspaper is a newspaper run by students of a university, high school, middle school, or other school. These papers traditionally cover local and, primarily, school or university news....

     of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach
    Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach is a residential campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The university offers bachelor's and master's degrees in aeronautical science , aerospace engineering and other aerospace fields.-History:Embry-Riddle began in 1925 as the...

     in Daytona Beach.

Television

The channel 2 television station in the area is allocated to Daytona Beach - Orlando, and its transmission tower is located midway between those two. Otherwise, Volusia County is served by the major TV broadcasting stations in Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...

 and Orange County, Florida
Orange County, Florida
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 1,145,956....

.

AM

  • WNDB
    WNDB
    WNDB is a radio station broadcasting a talk radio format. Licensed to Daytona Beach, Florida, USA, the station is owned by Black Crow Radio....

    , 1150 AM, Daytona Beach, News/Talk/Sports
  • WSBB, 1230 AM, New Smyrna Beach, Standards
  • WYND, 1310 AM, DeLand, Religious
  • WROD
    WROD
    WROD is a radio station broadcasting an Adult Standards/MOR format.Licensed to Daytona Beach, Florida, USA, the station serves the Daytona Beach area. As of December 2008, WROD is owned by Volusia Broadcasting LLC....

    , 1340 AM, Daytona Beach, Standards
  • WELE
    WELE
    WELE is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format.Licensed to Ormond Beach, Florida, USA, the station serves the Daytona Beach area. The station is currently owned by Wings Communications, Incorporated and features programing from Westwood One, ESPN Radio and CNN Radio....

    , 1380 AM, Ormond Beach, News/Talk
  • WMFJ, 1450 AM, Daytona Beach, Religious
  • WTJV
    WTJV
    WTJV is a radio station licensed to Deland, Florida and serving the Daytona Beach area. WTVJ carries a Regional Mexican format and is owned by J & V Communications, Inc.-History:The station went on the air as WDLF in 1948 with a pop format...

    , 1490 AM, DeLand, Spanish Language
  • WPUL
    WPUL
    WPUL AM 1590 is a radio station that serves the Daytona Beach area that plays Urban Gospel music and progressive talk programming targeted toward the African American community. It is owned by Tama Broadcasting, Inc.-Syndicated content:*Bill Press...

    , 1590 AM, South Daytona, Talk

FM

  • WEAZ, 88.3 FM, Holly Hill, Contemporary Christian
  • WKTO
    WKTO
    WKTO is a radio station broadcasting a Contemporary Christian format.Licensed to Edgewater, Florida, USA, the station serves the Daytona Beach area. The station is currently owned by Mims Community Radio, Inc..-History:...

    , 88.9 FM, Edgewater, Religious
  • WJLU, 89.7 FM, New Smyrna Beach, Religious
  • WAPN
    WAPN
    WAPN is a radio station broadcasting a Christian radio format. Licensed to Holly Hill, Florida, USA, the station serves the Daytona Beach area. The station is currently owned by Public Radio, Inc.....

    , 91.5 FM, Holly Hill, Contemporary Christian
  • WKRO-FM
    WKRO-FM
    WKRO-FM is a commercial radio station located in Edgewater, Florida, broadcasting to the Daytona Beach, Florida area on 93.1 FM. WKRO-FM airs a country music format branded as "KRO Country".-Former formats:* Oldies* Modern Rock...

    , 93.1 FM, Edgewater, Country
  • WCFB
    WCFB
    WCFB is an Urban Adult Contemporary radio station that is licensed to Daytona Beach, Florida that serves the Greater Orlando area. Its signal can be heard as...

    , 94.5 FM, Daytona Beach, Urban Adult Contemporary
  • WLGM-LP
    WLGM-LP
    WLGM-LP is a radio station broadcasting a Religious music format. Licensed to Edgewater, Florida, USA. The station is currently owned by Edgewater Alliance Church....

    , 95.3 FM, Edgewater
  • WHOG-FM
    WHOG-FM
    WHOG-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Classic rock format. Licensed to Ormond-By-The-Sea, Florida, USA, the station serves the Daytona Beach area. The station is currently owned by Black Crow Radio....

    , 95.7 FM, Ormond-by-the-Sea, Classic Rock
  • WJLU, 97.3 FM, Deland, Religious
  • WJHM
    WJHM
    WJHM is a radio station that is licensed to Daytona Beach but primarily serves the Orlando and Space Coast areas of Central Florida. It is owned by CBS Radio. It was a urban-leaning rhythmic contemporary hit station with a playlist consisting of a heavy-emphasis on hip-hop and R&B...

    , 101.9 FM, Daytona Beach, Mainstream Urban
  • WVYB
    WVYB
    WVYB is a radio station broadcasting a contemporary hit radio format.Licensed to Holly Hill, Florida, USA, the station serves the Daytona Beach area. The station is currently owned by Black Crow Media, LLC.-History:...

    , 103.3 FM, Holly Hill, Top 40
  • WOCL
    WOCL
    WOCL is a radio station broadcasting in Orlando, Florida. The station airs a Classic hits format, focusing on music from 1964-1989 with the core being the 1970s. It is similar to the format used by sister station WCBS-FM in New York...

    , 105.9 FM, Deland, Oldies

Volusia Government Sites


Other sites

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