DeLand, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
DeLand, Florida
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| City of DeLand | ||
Downtown DeLand
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| Nickname(s):
"The Athens of Florida"
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Location in Volusia County and the state of Florida
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Florida | |
| County | Volusia | |
| Settled (Persimmon Hollow) | 1846-1876 | |
| Settled (DeLand) | December 6, 1876 | |
| Incorporated (City of DeLand) |
1882 | |
| Named for | Henry Addison DeLand | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Commission–Manager | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 19.50 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)
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| • Total | 37,351 | |
| • Density | 1,937.49/sq mi (748.06/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST) 9) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code(s) |
32720–32724
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| Area code(s) | 386 | |
| FIPS code | 12-16875 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0281473 | |
DeLand is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. It is the main city of the county. DeLand is about 34 miles (55 km) north of Orlando and 23 miles (37 km) west of Daytona Beach. It is part of the larger Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach area. In 2020, about 37,351 people lived there.
The city was started in 1876. It was named after its founder, Henry Addison DeLand. DeLand is home to Stetson University, which is Florida's oldest private college. It also has the Museum of Art - DeLand. The DeLand Municipal Airport is a smaller airport for private planes. It helps take some traffic away from bigger airports like Daytona Beach, Orlando Sanford, and Orlando International.
Contents
History of DeLand
Before it was called DeLand, the area was known as "Persimmon Hollow." This was because of the wild persimmon trees growing near the natural springs. Long ago, you could only reach this area by steamboat on the St. Johns River.
The first person to settle here was probably Ruben Marsh. He came to Florida during a war in 1841. In 1846, after the war, he moved to what is now DeLand. He built a cabin and started raising animals.
How DeLand Got Its Name
Henry Addison DeLand, a businessman from New York, visited the area in 1876. He dreamed of building a center for growing citrus fruits, farming, and tourism. He sold his business up north and hired people to clear land and build streets and buildings. He also encouraged people to move there, mostly from New York. On December 6, 1876, the settlers decided to change the community's name from "Persimmon Hollow" to "DeLand." This was to honor Henry DeLand for starting and developing the town.
In 1877, Henry DeLand built a public school. To make the community even better, he started DeLand Academy in 1883. This was Florida's first private college. However, in 1885, a big freeze destroyed the orange crops. This made many of his investments in Florida almost worthless. Henry DeLand returned to his home in the North. He asked his friend John B. Stetson, a rich hat maker, to take care of the academy. In 1889, the school was renamed John B. Stetson University in his honor.
Becoming a City
DeLand officially became the "City of DeLand" in 1882. It became the main city for Volusia County in 1887. It was also the first city in Florida to have electricity. The city's first leaders decided to create a seal with symbols for "Faith, Hope, and Charity." These symbols were a cross, an anchor, and a heart.
In 2013, some people questioned the city seal. They thought it might promote one religion too much. However, the city decided to keep the seal as it was.
During the 1920s, many beautiful buildings were built in DeLand. These buildings, like the Athens Theatre, have been nicely restored. Since 1992, DeLand has hosted the Fall Festival of the Arts. This two-day event happens every year before Thanksgiving and brings in over 50,000 visitors.
Where is DeLand?
City Location and Size
DeLand is located in western Volusia County. The city covers about 19.50 square miles (50.52 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. The St. Johns River helps drain water from DeLand.
DeLand's Weather
DeLand has a warm and humid climate. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are generally mild. It has a humid subtropical climate.
| 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) |
| Average precipitation 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 | |||||||||||||
DeLand has experienced some strong storms. In 2007, a powerful tornado passed through the area. It caused a lot of damage. Another tornado hit DeLand in 2020, causing millions of dollars in damage.
People in DeLand
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 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 | |||
Population Changes
The population of DeLand has grown a lot over the years. In 1890, there were just over 1,100 people. By 2020, the population had grown to 37,351.
| Race | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 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 or Alaska Native (NH) | 56 | 52 | 0.21% | 0.14% |
| Asian (NH) | 484 | 901 | 1.79% | 2.41% |
| Pacific Islander or Native 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% |
In 2020, there were 37,351 people living in DeLand. There were 12,675 households and 7,753 families. In 2010, there were 27,031 people, 10,007 households, and 5,498 families.
Historic Places in DeLand
Downtown DeLand has many old buildings from the 1800s. The main street, Woodland Boulevard, is part of the Downtown DeLand Historic District.
The Garden District is another historic area near downtown. It was built between 1900 and 1920. After World War II, it became run down. In 2001, an artist named Michael E. Arth bought many old buildings there. He worked to fix them up and make the area beautiful again. He restored or rebuilt 32 homes and businesses. A movie called New Urban Cowboy: Toward a New Pedestrianism tells the story of DeLand and the Garden District.
Economy and Shopping
Shopping Centers
DeLand has several places to shop, including:
- Brandywine Shopping Center
- DeLand Flea Market
- DeLand Plaza Shopping Center
- Northgate Shopping Center
- Victoria Park Village Shopping Center
- West Volusia Regional Shopping Center
- Woodland Plaza
Local Businesses
- Mystic Powerboats is a business located in DeLand.
Education in DeLand
Public schools in DeLand are managed by Volusia County Schools.
Elementary Schools
- Blue Lake Elementary
- Citrus Grove Elementary
- Edith I. Starke Elementary
- Freedom Elementary
- George W. Marks Elementary
- Woodward Avenue Elementary
Middle Schools
- DeLand Middle School
- Southwestern Middle School
High Schools
- DeLand High School
Private Schools
- DeLand Preparatory Academy
- Magnolia Christian School
- Saint Barnabas Episcopal School
- Saint Peters Catholic School
Montessori Schools
- Casa Montessori School
- Children's House Montessori School
Colleges and Universities
- Daytona State College
- Florida Technical College
- Stetson University
Sister City
DeLand has a special connection with Belén, Costa Rica. They are known as "sister cities."
Sports and Fun
DeLand is home to the Stetson University Hatters sports teams. Their basketball teams play at the J. Ollie Edmunds Center. This arena opened in 1974 and can hold about 5,000 fans.
The Hatters baseball team plays at Melching Field at Conrad Park. This ballpark was built in 1999 and is a great place for college baseball games. It has hosted many important tournaments. Before Melching Field, the Hatters played at the old Conrad Park. This park also hosted baseball teams in the past.
Next to Melching Field is Spec Martin Stadium, a football stadium that seats 6,000 people. It is where DeLand High School's football and soccer teams play. It is also the home field for the Stetson University Hatters football team. Stetson brought back its football program in 2013. The stadium was updated with new features for the team.
DeLand is often called the "skydiving capital of the world." Many skydiving businesses are based here. This industry provides jobs for over 500 people and is very important to DeLand's economy.
The Central Florida Warriors rugby team is also based in DeLand.
DeLand in Movies
DeLand has been a filming location for many movies and TV shows.
- The 1999 comedy The Waterboy, starring Adam Sandler, filmed scenes at Spec Martin Stadium and Stetson University.
- Ghost Story, with Fred Astaire, filmed parts at Stetson University.
- The HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon filmed scenes at Stetson University.
- The 1999 movie The First of May was shot in different parts of DeLand.
- Days of Thunder, starring Tom Cruise, also filmed some scenes in DeLand.
- The documentary New Urban Cowboy: Toward a New Pedestrianism (2008) was filmed almost entirely in DeLand.
- Walt Before Mickey filmed scenes at Stetson University and the Athens Theatre in 2014.
News and Radio
Newspapers
- The West Volusia Beacon: A weekly newspaper for DeLand and West Volusia County.
- The Daytona Beach News-Journal: A daily newspaper covering the Daytona Beach area and Volusia County.
- The Orlando Sentinel: A newspaper from Orlando that also covers Volusia County.
Radio Stations
AM Stations
- WYND, 1310: Plays religious programs.
- WTJV, 1490: Plays Spanish language programs.
FM Stations
- W247AK, 97.3: Translates for WJLU.
- WOCL, 105.9: Plays classic hits music.
Publishing
Everett/Edwards is a publishing company in DeLand.
Famous People from DeLand
Many notable people have connections to DeLand:
- Horace Allen: A professional baseball player.
- Byllye Avery: A health care activist.
- Charles P. Bailey: A Tuskegee Airman and former U.S. Army Air Force officer.
- R. H. Barlow: An author, poet, and historian.
- Bill Booth: An inventor and entrepreneur in skydiving.
- David Cohen: CEO and founder of TechStars.
- Joyce Cusack: A former politician and retired nurse.
- Terence Trent D'Arby: A singer-songwriter.
- Jacob deGrom: A current professional baseball player.
- Paul Dicken: A former professional baseball player.
- Daniel Dye: A professional stock car racing driver.
- Bert Fish: A lawyer, judge, and ambassador.
- R. Buckminster Fuller: A mathematician and inventor of the geodesic dome.
- Mike Gillislee: A former professional football player.
- Lue Gim Gong: A horticulturalist (plant expert).
- Bridgette Gordon: A women's basketball coach and former player.
- Stephen Guarino: An actor and comedian.
- Ed Hickox: A retired professional baseball umpire.
- Burling Hull: A magician.
- Carolyn J. B. Howard: A politician.
- Craig T. James: A lawyer and former congressman.
- Arthur Jones: Inventor and founder of Nautilus, Inc..
- Chipper Jones: A MLB Hall of Fame baseball player.
- Danny Kelley: A stock car racing driver.
- Kitty: A musician and rapper.
- J. C. Van Landingham: A former NASCAR driver.
- Dee Libbey: A composer.
- Gary Russell Libby: An art historian and museum director.
- Vincent Martella: An actor.
- Jack Ness: A former professional baseball player.
- Medwin Peek: An architect.
- Luke Scott: A former baseball player.
- Frances Shimer: Founder of Shimer College.
- Maurice Starr: A musician, songwriter, and producer.
- John Batterson Stetson: The hat manufacturer who invented the Stetson cowboy hat.
- Tra Thomas: A football coach and former professional football player.
- William Amory Underhill: A lobbyist and philanthropist.
- Noble "Thin Man" Watts: A saxophonist.
- Luke Weaver: A professional baseball player.
- Verner Moore White: A landscape and portrait painter.
- Earl Ziebarth: A state representative.
Places to Visit in DeLand
- African American Museum of Art
- Alexander Haynes House
- Athens Theatre
- Chief Master at Arms House
- DeLand Hall
- DeLand Municipal Airport
- Downtown DeLand Historic District
- John B. Stetson House
- Kilkoff House
- Museum of Art - DeLand
- Old DeLand Memorial Hospital
- Stetson University Campus Historic District
- Stockton-Lindquist House
- Volusia County Fair and Expo Center
- Volusia Speedway Park
- West Volusia Historical Society & Museum
Getting Around DeLand
Trains and Buses
Amtrak, the national passenger train system, serves DeLand. Its Silver Meteor and Silver Star trains run daily. Since August 2024, the DeLand station has also been the northern end of Orlando's SunRail commuter train system. SunRail trains run about every hour on weekdays.
Local bus service is provided by VOTRAN on routes #20 and #60.
Air Travel
During World War II, a company called Babcock Airplane Corporation made gliders in DeLand. The DeLand Municipal Airport (also known as Sidney H. Taylor Field) is still used today. It is a general aviation airport and helps reduce traffic at larger airports. It also has the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum.
Roads
US 17 / US 92 These are major US highways that go through DeLand. They overlap for a while. US 92 then turns east towards Daytona Beach, while US 17 continues north.
SR 44 This is the main east-to-west state highway in DeLand. It runs along New York Avenue. You cannot make direct turns between SR 44 and US 17/92 in downtown. You need to use nearby side roads.
SR 15A This is an alternate route that runs on the west side of the city. It also helps trucks bypass US 17/92 and SR 44.
See also
In Spanish: DeLand para niños
