Hello From
Delray Beach!
“Florida’s Village by the Sea”

City
A City in Palm Beach County, Florida
Delray Beach is a vibrant coastal city in Palm Beach County known for its award-winning beaches, lively arts scene, and charming downtown. Blending small-town warmth with big-city culture, it has become one of South Florida’s most beloved destinations for both residents and visitors. With its walkable Atlantic Avenue lined with boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, plus year-round festivals and a strong community spirit, Delray Beach offers an energetic yet relaxed seaside lifestyle.

Aerial view of Delray Beach
Photo by felixmizioznikov
Location & Size
Located on Florida’s southeast coast between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach,
Delray Beach spans about 16.5 square miles.
Founded
Delray Beach’s history dates back to the late 1800s, when African American families from the Florida Panhandle and the Bahamas settled in the area, soon joined by farmers from the Midwest. In 1903, a group of Japanese immigrants, led by Jo Sakai, established the Yamato Colony, a farming community that greatly influenced local agriculture. The arrival of the Florida East Coast Railway in the early 1900s spurred growth, making it easier to ship crops like pineapples, tomatoes, and citrus. The town was incorporated as Delray in 1911, named after a town in Michigan, and expanded to include the beachfront area in 1927, becoming Delray Beach. By mid-century, tourism began to outpace farming, with the city developing into a popular seaside destination. Today, Delray Beach blends its agricultural heritage, multicultural influences, and strong community spirit into a vibrant coastal city known for its arts, culture, and award-winning downtown.
Population
As of 2024, the estimated population is around 67,000 residents.
Known For
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Atlantic Avenue – a bustling downtown hub for dining, shopping, and nightlife
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Beautiful public beaches consistently ranked among the best in the U.S.
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A thriving arts community including Pineapple Grove Arts District and Cornell Art Museum
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Annual events like the Delray Affair and Holiday Boat Parade
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Its welcoming, village-like charm despite being in metropolitan South Florida
Cost of living
Delray Beach has a moderately high cost of living due to its coastal location and popularity.
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Median Household Income: $74,000
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Median Home Price: $575,000
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Average Rent (1-bedroom): $2,300/month
Things to do
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Relax at Delray Municipal Beach
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Shop and dine along Atlantic Avenue and in the Pineapple Grove Arts District
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Visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
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Explore Wakodahatchee Wetlands and Sandoway Discovery Center
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Attend cultural events, art shows, and seasonal festivals
Fun Facts
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Delray Beach won the All-America City Award twice (1993 and 2001) for civic excellence.
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The Morikami Museum honors the Yamato Colony, a Japanese farming settlement established in the early 1900s.
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Its downtown has been repeatedly recognized as one of the best small-city main streets in America.
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