Volusia County, Florida
Volusia County is a county located in the state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county's population was 496,575 . Although Daytona Beach is Volusia County's best-known city, its county seat is DeLand, and its most populous city is currently Deltona.Volusia County is the sole county of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is the 101st-largest metro area by population in the United States as of the 2004 Census estimate. Volusia County is traversed from north to south by the important highways Interstate 95 and US Route 1. It also sits at the northeastern end of the Interstate 4, where it merges with Interstate 95.
History
Volusia County established in 1855, was named for the port of Volusia on the east bank of the St. John's River. The origins of the word 'Volusia' are unclear, though there are several theories. The land area of present day Volusia County was inhabited by the indigenous Timucua indians.The Timucua no longer exist as a distinct racial entity, 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 middens at Tomoka State Park.During the British occupation of Florida, a failed colony was started in southeast Volusia County by Andrew Turnbull, known as New Smyrna. This colony was connected to St. Augustine, the capital of East Florida, via the Kings Road. After the failure of the colony the settlers, many of Minorcan heritage made the 70-mile (110 km) journey to live in St. Augustine.The Seminole indians, descendants of the Creek tribe of Alabama and Georgia who resisted forced relocation to Indian Territory also camped in various parts of Volusia County. During the Second Seminole War (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 in Volusia, south of present day Debary, General Winfield Scott established a fort/depot in 1836 named Fort Florida.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,432 square miles (3,710 km²), of which, 1,103 square miles (2,857 km²) of it is land and 329 square miles (853 km²) of it is water. The total area is 22.98% water.Volusia County is bordered on the west by the St. Johns River and Lake Monroe, and by the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Roughly the size of Rhode Island, Volusia is situated 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Orlando, 60 miles (97 km) north of the Kennedy Space Center, and 89 miles (143 km) south of Jacksonville.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, 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- north
Brevard County, Florida- south
Orange County, Florida- south
Seminole County, Florida- southwest
Lake County, Florida- west
Marion County, Florida- northwest
Putnam County, Florida- northwest
Parks and gardens
Blue Spring State Park
Bulow Creek State Park
Canaveral National Seashore
De Leon Springs State Park
Dunlawton Plantation and Sugar Mill
Hontoon Island State Park
Lake George State Forest
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
North Peninsula State Park
Ormond Beach Memorial Art Museum and Gardens
Tiger Bay State Forest
Tomoka State Park
Rivers and Waterways
Atlantic Ocean
Halifax River
Intracoastal Waterway
Lake George
Lake Monroe
Mosquito Lagoon
Ponce de León Inlet
St. Johns River
Tomoka River
Major attractions
Daytona International Speedwayin Daytona Beach
Jackie Robinson Ballparkin Daytona Beach
New Smyrna Speedwayin New Smyrna Beach
Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museumin Ponce Inlet
TheOcean Center(convention center) in Daytona Beach
Volusia County Fair and Expo Centerin DeLand
Volusia Speedway Parkin 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 and Vice-Chair: Joie Alexander
District 1 Commissioner - Andy Kelly
District 2 Commissioner - Joshua J. Wagner
District 3 Commissioner - Jack Hayman
District 4 Commissioner - Carl G. Persis
District 5 Commissioner - 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 DepartmentMany 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. 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.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 443,343 people, 184,723 households, and 120,069 families residing in the county. The population density 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, 9.29% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.82% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 6.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 13.7% were of German, 11.5% Irish, 11.2% English, 10.7% American 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 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 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.City ofDaytona Beach
City ofDaytona Beach Shores
City ofDeBary
City ofDeLand
City ofDeltona
City ofEdgewater
City ofHolly Hill
City ofLake Helen
City ofNew Smyrna Beach
City ofOak Hill
City ofOrange City
City ofOrmond Beach
Town ofPierson
Town ofPonce Inlet
City ofPort Orange
City ofSouth Daytona
Unincorporated
Alamana
Ariel
Bakerstown
Barberville
Benson Junction
Beresford
Bethune Beach
Blake
Blue Springs Landing
Bluffton
Boden
Cassadaga
Connersville
Conrad
Cow Creek
Creighton
Cypress Lake Estates
Daisy lake
Daytona Highridge Estates
Daytona Park Estates
Deadman Landing
Deland Highlands
DeLand Southwest
DeLeon Springs
DeLeon Springs Heights
Edgewater Junction
Eldora
Eldridge
Ellinor Village
Emporia
Enterprise
Farmton
Fatio
Fort Florida
Glencoe
Glenwood
Halifax Estates
Harbor Oaks
Hucomer
Isleboro
Kalamazoo
Lake Ashby Shores
Lemon Bluff
Maytown
Mission City
Mound Grove
National Gardens
North DeLand
Orange City Hills
Ormond-By-The-Sea
Ortona
Osteen
Packwood Place
Pennichaw
Riverside
Samsula
Seabreeze
Senyah
Seville
Stone Island
Sugar Mill Estates
Tallahassee Yuchi
Tomoka Estates
Valdez
Volusia
West DeLand
Wilbur By-The-Sea
Major roads
Interstate 95
Interstate 4
U.S. 1
US 17
US 92
SR A1A
SR 40
SR 44
SR 5A
SR 421
SR 11
SR 483
Public transportation
VOTRAN is the name of the local Volusia County bus service. It is an inexpensive way to get around and is handicap accessible. The buses offer service throughout the county, Monday through Saturday, from 7 am to 7 pm. Some limited bus routes are offered in East Volusia in the evenings and on Sundays. Buses travel to most sites and 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 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, a commuter rail running from Volusia to Osceola county with the initial phase starting in 2013. In the initial phase, service will only extend to Debary. It is planned to extend this to also include the DeLand Amtrak station in 2015.
Education
Public primary and secondary education is handled by Volusia County Schools. Some of the larger private schools include Father Lopez Catholic High School.
Middle schools
Campbell Middle School
Creekside Middle School
David C. Hinson Middle School
Deland Middle School
Deltona Middle School
Galaxy Middle School
Heritage Middle School
Holly Hill Middle School
New Smyrna Beach Middle School
Ormond Beach Middle School
River Springs Middle School
Silver Sands Middle School
Southwestern Middle School
High schools
Atlantic High School
DeLand High School
Deltona High School
Mainland High School
New Smyrna Beach High School
Pine Ridge High School
Seabreeze High School
Spruce Creek High School
University High School
Colleges and universities
Bethune-Cookman University
Daytona State College
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Keiser University
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Stetson University
University of Central Florida(Daytona Beach branch campus)
Vocational
Advanced Technology College(Daytona Beach)
International Academy Beauty School(South Daytona)
Florida Technical College(DeLand)
Palmer College of Chiropractic(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- Weekly news publication covering DeLand and West Volusia.
Orlando Sentinel- Newspaper and news site based in Orlando with a bureau covering Volusia County.
The Avion Newspaper-Student college publicationofEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical Universityin 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 and Orange County, Florida.
AM
WNDB, 1150 AM, Daytona Beach,News/Talk/Sports
WSBB, 1230 AM, New Smyrna Beach,Standards
WYND, 1310 AM, DeLand,Religious
WROD, 1340 AM, Daytona Beach,Standards
WELE, 1380 AM, Ormond Beach,News/Talk
WMFJ, 1450 AM, Daytona Beach,Religious
WTJV, 1490 AM, DeLand,Spanish Language
WPUL, 1590 AM, South Daytona,Talk
FM
WEAZ, 88.3 FM, Holly Hill,Contemporary Christian
WKTO, 88.9 FM, Edgewater,Religious
WJLU, 89.7 FM, New Smyrna Beach,Religious
WAPN, 91.5 FM, Holly Hill,Contemporary Christian
WKRO-FM, 93.1 FM, Edgewater,Country
WCFB, 94.5 FM, Daytona Beach,Urban Adult Contemporary
WLGM-LP, 95.3 FM, Edgewater
WHOG-FM, 95.7 FM, Ormond-by-the-Sea,Classic Rock
WJLU, 97.3 FM, Deland,Religious
WJHM, 101.9 FM, Daytona Beach,Mainstream Urban
WVYB, 103.3 FM, Holly Hill,Top 40
WOCL, 105.9 FM, Deland,Oldies
Volusia Government Sites
^'Find a County'. National Association of Counties.http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/usamap.cfm. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
^'American FactFinder'.United States Census Bureau.http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
^'LYNX - Route 200 Schedule Times'. Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority.http://www.golynx.com/index.cfm?fuse=cstm&app=route&view=sched&cid=200. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
^http://www.sunrail.com/
^http://www.sunrail.com/Documents/699.pdf
Volusia County travel guidefromWikitravel
Volusia County Government
Volusia Counthy Economic Development
Volusia County Eco-tourism (ECHO)
Volusia County Library
Volusia County Law Library
Daytona Beach International Airport (Maintained by Volusia County)
Volusia County Court Clerk
Volusia County Metropolitan Planning Organization
Volusia County Transit (Votran)
Volusia County Sheriff's Office
Volusia County Supervisor of Elections
Volusia County Property Appraiser
Volusia County History
Municipal Code of Ordinances
Volusia County Public Schools