DeLand, Florida | |
|---|---|
 Downtown DeLand | |
 Flag  Seal .png) Logo | |
| Nickname: "The Athens of Florida" | |
 Location inVolusia County and the state ofFlorida | |
| Coordinates:29°01′21″N81°17′11″W / 29.02250°N 81.28639°W /29.02250; -81.28639[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Volusia |
| Settled (Persimmon Hollow) | 1846-1876[2] |
| Settled (DeLand) | December 6, 1876[2] |
| Incorporated (City of DeLand) | 1882[2] |
| Named after | Henry Addison DeLand |
| Government | |
| • Type | Commission–Manager |
| • Mayor | Chris Cloudman |
| • Vice Mayor | Charles Paiva |
| • Commissioners | Jessica Davis, Kevin Reid, and Daniel Reed |
| • City Manager | Michael Pleus |
| • City Clerk | Julie Hennessy |
| Area | |
• Total | 19.51 sq mi (50.52 km2) |
| • Land | 19.28 sq mi (49.93 km2) |
| • Water | 0.23 sq mi (0.59 km2) |
| Elevation | 36 ft (11 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 37,351 |
| • Density | 1,937.5/sq mi (748.06/km2) |
| Demonym | DeLandite[5][6][7] |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) | 32720–32724 |
| Area code | 386 |
| FIPS code | 12-16875[8] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0281473[4] |
| Website | www |
DeLand is a city in and thecounty seat ofVolusia County, Florida, United States. It is a part of theDeltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach metropolitan area. As of the2020 U.S. census, its population was 37,351.
The city was founded in 1876, and was named for its founder,Henry Addison DeLand.[9] DeLand is home toStetson University, Florida's oldest private college, as well as theMuseum of Art - DeLand. TheDeLand Municipal Airport serves as an uncontrolled general-aviation reliever airport to commercial operations atDaytona Beach International Airport (DAB),Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), andOrlando International Airport (MCO).
DeLand was previously known as "Persimmon Hollow" for the wildpersimmon trees that grow around thenatural springs, and the area was originally accessible only bysteamboat up theSt. Johns River.[2]
The first settler in the area was probably Ruben Marsh. He first came to Florida during theSeminole Indian War in 1841, during a scouting party that stopped at a lake area within the modern city limits, and in 1846, when the war ended, Ruben Marsh got married and moved to what is now known as DeLand. He bought a settlers claim, where he built a cabin for his family and started raising livestock.[2]
Henry Addison DeLand, abaking soda magnate fromFairport, New York, visited there in 1876, and envisioned building acitrus,agricultural, andtourism center. He sold his northern business and hired people to clear land, lay out streets, erect buildings, and recruit settlers, most of whom came from upstateNew York (though DeLand never lived in the city year-round). On December 6, 1876, at 2:00 pm, the settlers decided to rename the community from Persimmon Hollow to DeLand, in honor of his founding and helping develop its infrastructure.[2]
In 1877, DeLand built a public school for the town.[9] To enhance the community's stature and culture, and to enhance the value of his local real-estate holdings, in 1883, DeLand established DeLand Academy, Florida's first private college.[9] However, in 1885, a freeze destroyed theorange crop. One story has it that DeLand had guaranteed settlers' investments as an inducement to relocate, so was obligated to buy back their ruinedgroves, though no hard evidence indicates that this took place. As for many other would-be real-estate magnates in the area at the time, his Florida investments were nearly worthless after the freeze, and he returned to his home in the North. DeLand entrusted the academy to his friend,John B. Stetson, a wealthy hat manufacturer fromPhiladelphia and one of the institution's founding trustees. In 1889, it was renamedJohn B. Stetson University in its patron's honor.[9] In 1900, it founded thefirst law school in Florida (which relocated toGulfport in 1954). Its various sports teams are called the Hatters.
The community was officially incorporated as the City of DeLand in 1882, and became the county seat ofVolusia County in 1887. It was the first city in Florida to haveelectricity.[10] According to city officials, minutes of the first City Commission meeting in 1882 show the city decided to create a seal with the emblems of "Faith, Hope and Charity," namely a cross, an anchor and a heart.
The city seal was briefly the object of a controversy in 2013, when the national groupAmericans United for Separation of Church and State sent the city a letter in which they argued that the seal unconstitutionally promotes Christianity, thus allegedly breaching theFirst Amendment Establishment Clause.[11][12] The controversy faded after the city refused to change the seal.[13]
During the 1920sFlorida Land Boom, fine examples ofstuccoMediterranean Revival architecture by native architectMedwin Peek and others were constructed in DeLand. Many of these buildings have been handsomely restored, including the restored Athens Theatre.
Since 1992, the city has hosted the DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts, a two-day event held annually in the historic downtown area on the weekend beforeThanksgiving. As of 2009, the event has an annual attendance of more than 50,000 during the weekend.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.8 square miles (46.1 km2), of which 0.19 sq mi (0.5 km2), or 1.06%, is covered by water.[14] DeLand is drained by theSt. Johns River.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to theKöppen climate classification, the City of DeLand has ahumid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).
| Climate data for DeLand, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1892–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 89 (32) | 90 (32) | 96 (36) | 98 (37) | 100 (38) | 102 (39) | 102 (39) | 102 (39) | 101 (38) | 98 (37) | 91 (33) | 89 (32) | 102 (39) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 81.8 (27.7) | 83.9 (28.8) | 87.4 (30.8) | 90.3 (32.4) | 93.8 (34.3) | 96.0 (35.6) | 96.7 (35.9) | 96.3 (35.7) | 93.9 (34.4) | 91.1 (32.8) | 86.1 (30.1) | 82.6 (28.1) | 97.5 (36.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 69.1 (20.6) | 72.1 (22.3) | 76.4 (24.7) | 81.2 (27.3) | 85.9 (29.9) | 89.2 (31.8) | 90.9 (32.7) | 90.4 (32.4) | 87.7 (30.9) | 82.5 (28.1) | 75.8 (24.3) | 71.2 (21.8) | 81.0 (27.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 56.9 (13.8) | 59.7 (15.4) | 63.6 (17.6) | 69.1 (20.6) | 74.7 (23.7) | 79.8 (26.6) | 81.6 (27.6) | 81.5 (27.5) | 79.3 (26.3) | 73.0 (22.8) | 65.0 (18.3) | 59.8 (15.4) | 70.3 (21.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 44.6 (7.0) | 47.4 (8.6) | 50.7 (10.4) | 57.1 (13.9) | 63.6 (17.6) | 70.5 (21.4) | 72.2 (22.3) | 72.7 (22.6) | 70.8 (21.6) | 63.5 (17.5) | 54.2 (12.3) | 48.4 (9.1) | 59.6 (15.3) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 29.1 (−1.6) | 31.6 (−0.2) | 35.9 (2.2) | 43.6 (6.4) | 53.9 (12.2) | 65.0 (18.3) | 68.1 (20.1) | 69.0 (20.6) | 64.7 (18.2) | 50.3 (10.2) | 40.2 (4.6) | 33.4 (0.8) | 27.4 (−2.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 16 (−9) | 15 (−9) | 25 (−4) | 30 (−1) | 42 (6) | 54 (12) | 59 (15) | 60 (16) | 53 (12) | 34 (1) | 24 (−4) | 16 (−9) | 15 (−9) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.07 (78) | 2.44 (62) | 3.54 (90) | 2.47 (63) | 4.16 (106) | 8.20 (208) | 8.70 (221) | 7.05 (179) | 6.91 (176) | 3.98 (101) | 2.32 (59) | 2.65 (67) | 55.49 (1,409) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 8.3 | 7.4 | 7.9 | 6.2 | 8.6 | 17.2 | 17.2 | 16.5 | 14.0 | 10.3 | 8.1 | 8.2 | 129.9 |
| Source: NOAA[15][16] | |||||||||||||
On February 2, 2007, DeLand and the surrounding area was the site ofa major tornado outbreak.[17] One tornado passed through Deland. It reached a peak intensity of EF-3 (160–165 mph; 257–266 km/h), had a track length of 26 miles (42 km), and was responsible for the deaths of 13 people.[18] On August 18, 2020, an EF-2 tornado made landfall in DeLand around 4 PM EST, and caused an estimated $7.4 million in damages over its 4.6-mile (7.4 km) path.[19]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 1,113 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,449 | 30.2% | |
| 1910 | 2,812 | 94.1% | |
| 1920 | 3,324 | 18.2% | |
| 1930 | 5,246 | 57.8% | |
| 1940 | 7,041 | 34.2% | |
| 1950 | 8,652 | 22.9% | |
| 1960 | 10,775 | 24.5% | |
| 1970 | 11,641 | 8.0% | |
| 1980 | 15,354 | 31.9% | |
| 1990 | 16,491 | 7.4% | |
| 2000 | 20,904 | 26.8% | |
| 2010 | 27,031 | 29.3% | |
| 2020 | 37,351 | 38.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[20] | |||
| Race | Pop 2010[21] | Pop 2020[22] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 18,122 | 22,760 | 67.04% | 60.94% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 4,465 | 5,056 | 16.52% | 13.54% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 56 | 52 | 0.21% | 0.14% |
| Asian (NH) | 484 | 901 | 1.79% | 2.41% |
| Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian (NH) | 14 | 19 | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| Some other race (NH) | 32 | 254 | 0.12% | 0.68% |
| Two or more races/multiracial (NH) | 436 | 1,297 | 1.61% | 3.47% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3,422 | 7,012 | 12.66% | 18.77% |
| Total | 27,031 | 37,351 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census, 37,351 people, 12,675 households, and 7,753 families were residing in the city.[23]
As of the2010 United States census, 27,031 people, 10,007 households, and 5,498 families were living in the city.[24]
As of 2000, the city had 8,375 households, of which 23.8% had children under 18 living with them, 37.0% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.7% were not families. About 37.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.92.
In 2000, in the city, the age distribution was 20.7% under 18, 14.9% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.6% who were 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.0 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 77.8 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $28,712, and for a family was $35,329. Males had a median income of $26,389 versus $20,114 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $15,936. About 14.2% of families and 19.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 31.3% of those under 18 and 8.7% of those 65 or over.
Businesses includeMystic Powerboats.
Sites of interest include:
Downtown DeLand's main street, Woodland Boulevard, has a number of notable 19th-century buildings. It is officially known asDowntown DeLand Historic District.
The Garden District is a mixed-use neighborhood adjacent to downtown DeLand, which is officially known as Downtown DeLand's Historic Garden District. The neighborhood was originally developed between 1900 and 1920. It fell into a long period of decline after World War II, and by the 1980s, had becomeblighted.[27]
In 2001, an artist bought 27 dilapidated structures, renamed the area the Garden District, and lobbied to create a new historic district. During the following eight years, he restored 32 homes and businesses, which have become the core of a neighborhood revival. This was documented in the filmNew Urban Cowboy: Toward a New Pedestrianism.[28]
DeLand hosts all home games for Stetson UniversityStetson Hatters athletic teams. TheStetson Hatters men's basketball team and women's basketball teams play at theEdmunds Center, an on-campus arena which opened in 1974 and seats about 5,000 spectators.[citation needed]
The Hatters baseball team plays atMelching Field at Conrad Park, a 2,500-seat ballpark. Melching Field was built in 1999 and is a college baseball venues in theNCAA, having hosted numerousAtlantic Sun Conference championships, and the 2018 NCAA Baseball Regionals. Prior to the opening of Melching Field, the Hatters played at old Conrad Park on the same site, which also hostedspring training games in the 1940s and 1950s and the DeLand Red Hats, aFlorida State League minor league franchise.[citation needed]
Spec Martin Stadium is a 6,000-seat football stadium that serves as home of the Stetson UniversityHatters football team. Stetson had discontinued its football program in the early 1960s, and reinstated the sport in2013, when it joined thePioneer Football League.[citation needed]
DeLand has been called the "skydiving capital of the world", with the several skydiving industries located here.[29] The skydiving industry employs over 500 workers from the DeLand area. This in combination with the tourist end of the industry makes it one of the town's largest economic contributors.[30][29]
TheCentral Florida Warriors of theUSA Rugby League are based in DeLand.
The City of DeLand has acommission-manager form of government.[31] Thecity commission consists of five members, one of whom is the independently electedMayor-Commissioner.[31] All commissioners are elected citywide in non-partisan elections every four years.[31]
| Name | Seat | Term ends | Citations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Chris Cloudman | Mayor/Seat 1 | 2026 | [32] |
 | Jessica Davis | Seat 2 &Vice Mayor | 2026 | [33] |
 | Richard Paiva | Seat 3 | 2028 | [34] |
 | Daniel Reed | Seat 4 | 2028 | [35] |
 | Kevin Reid | Seat 5 | 2026 | [36] |
Public primary and secondary education is handled byVolusia County Schools.
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Productions filmed or partly filmed in DeLand include:
Everett/Edwards[37][38][39][40]
Since 2024, theDeLand station has been the northern terminus of Orlando'sSunRail commuter rail system. It also contains a spur leading from the station which was built by theOrange Ridge, DeLand and Atlantic Railroad and has received passenger service in the past.
Local transit service is provided byVOTRAN.[41]
During World War II,Babcock Airplane Corporation manufactured 60Waco CG-4 assault gliders at DeLand.[42] The firm was out of business by 1945.[43]
TheDeLand Municipal Airport operates as a general aviation airport as well as a reliever airport forOrlando andDaytona Beach. It also contains theDeLand Naval Air Station Museum.
DeLand is asister city ofBelén,Costa Rica.[45]
Geographic data related toDeLand, Florida atOpenStreetMapMunicipalities and communities ofVolusia County, Florida,United States | ||
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