Publisher

DeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 20,904. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 22,857. DeLand, nicknamed the "Athens of Florida", is the home of Stetson University. Deland Geography: DeLand is located at 29°1'44"N, 81°18'2"W (29.028949, -81.300446). DeLand is about half way between Orlando and Daytona Beach. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 41.6 km2 (16.1 mi2). 41.1 km2 (15.9 mi2) of it is land and 0.5 km2 (0.2 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 1.18% water. Deland Demographics: As of the census of 2000, there are 20,904 people, 8,375 households, and 4,631 families residing in the city. The population density is 508.6/km2 (1,317.1/mi2). There are 9,272 housing units at an average density of 225.6/km2 (584.2/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 74.96% White, 19.18% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.00% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. 8.73% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 8,375 households out of which 23.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.0% are married couples living together, 14.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 44.7% are non-families. 37.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 20.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.22 and the average family size is 2.92. In the city the population is spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 14.9% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 83.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 77.8 males. The median income for a household in the city is $28,712, and the median income for a family is $35,329. Males have a median income of $26,389 versus $20,114 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,936. 19.0% of the population and 14.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 31.3% of those under the age of 18 and 8.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. Deland History: The city is named for Henry A. DeLand. It was founded in 1876, and incorporated in 1882. DeLand was the first city in Florida to have electricity. Stetson University in DeLand is Florida's first private university, founded in 1883 by Henry A. DeLand and originally called the DeLand Academy. John B. Stetson, whose name is also associated with the hats he manufactured, was a founding trustee of the university; the university was named after him in 1889. In 1900, Stetson created the first law school in Florida