Volusia County was created in 1854. It was named for the port of Volusia along the St. John's River on the county's western side. The origins of the word "Volusia" are unclear, though there are many theories.
Volusia County is bordered on the west by the St. Johns River, and by the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Roughly the size of Rhode Island, Volusia is situated 50 miles northeast of Orlando, 60 miles north of the Kennedy Space Center, and 89 miles south of Jacksonville.
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.
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 signiicant 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
Towns and Cities in Volusia County
Daytona Beach
De Bary
De Land
Deltona
Edgewater
Holly Hill
Lake Helen
New Smyrna Beach
Oak Hill
Orange City
Ormond Beach
Pierson
Ponce Inlet
Port Orange
South Daytona
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
Halifax River
Hontoon Island State Park
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
North Peninsula State Park
St. Johns River
Tomoka River
Major Attractions
Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach
Jackie Robinson Stadium in Daytona Beach
New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach
Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum in Ponce Inlet
The Ocean Center (convention center) in Daytona Beach
Volusia County Fair and Expo Center in DeLand
Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville
