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Port Orange!

 

 

“Growing in Beauty and Opportunity“

Anna Maria Island

Port Orange

 A City in Volusia County, Florida

 

Port Orange, Florida is a scenic coastal city known for its friendly neighborhoods, lush parks, and strong sense of community.   Port Orange combines small-town charm with modern amenities and offers easy access to beaches, the Halifax River, and nearby attractions.

Port Orange is celebrated for its excellent schools, beautiful residential areas, and focus on family living. Its tree-lined streets, well-maintained parks, and abundance of outdoor activities—like boating, fishing, and cycling—make it a peaceful yet vibrant place to call home.

Port Orange’s appeal lies in its balance of coastal living and suburban comfort, offering residents a slower pace of life while remaining close to entertainment, shopping, and Florida’s iconic beaches.

Port Orange, Florida Marina

Port Orange, Florida Marina

Photo by Lunamarina via Canva

Location & Size

Port Orange is situated in Volusia County on Florida’s central east coast, just south of Daytona Beach and lies along the Halifax River with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean.  The city is part of the Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach metropolitan area.

Port Orange covers approximately 28.7 square miles of which about 26.6 square miles is land.

Founded

Port Orange’s roots trace back to the early 1800s, when settlers were drawn to the area’s fertile soil and proximity to the Halifax River. The city’s official founding came in 1867, when Dr. John Milton Hawks, a Union Army surgeon, established a settlement for freed African Americans after the Civil War. Dr. Hawks and his wife, Esther Hawks, hoped to create a thriving community centered on education and opportunity.

Although the early settlement faced hardships—including crop failures, harsh conditions, and a challenging economy—it laid the foundation for the modern city. The name “Port Orange” was chosen to highlight the region’s connection to both maritime trade (“Port”) and its once-flourishing citrus industry (“Orange”).

Over the years, the area gradually developed into a peaceful residential town, officially incorporating as a city in 1867. Today, Port Orange honors its historic roots while thriving as a modern, family-oriented community known for its schools, parks, and quality of life.

PORT ORANGE WEATHER

Population

 As of the 2020 Census, Port Orange had a population of approximately 62,596.

Known For

  • A pleasant coastal community that offers both beach-side and suburban living.

  • Historic sites such as the Dunlawton Sugar Mill & Gardens (a remnant of the old plantation era).

  • Proximity to major attractions like Daytona Beach, the Halifax River, and outdoor recreation (fishing, boating, beach access).

  • Family-friendly neighborhoods, well-rated schools, and a slower pace than nearby tourist-heavy locales.

Cost of living

Median Income:  Estimated at $68,955  with an average household income around $83,754.

Median Home Price:  Recent data shows values in the range of $300,000–$360,000+.

Median Rent:  Approximately $1,448/month.

 

Things to do

  • Relax at the beach or explore the Halifax River for boating and fishing.

  • Visit the historic Dunlawton Sugar Mill & Gardens for a glimpse of 19th-century Florida.

  • Enjoy family-friendly parks, green spaces, and nature preserves in and around the city.

  • Take advantage of the city’s proximity to the greater Daytona area for cultural, dining, and entertainment options.

  • Explore neighborhood shopping and local events that give the city a strong community feel.

Fun Facts

  • The city’s original name was “Orange Port,” but when that name was already taken, the words were swapped to become “Port Orange” in 1867.

  • One of the first integrated schools in Florida was reportedly established in the Port Orange area by Esther Hawks in the settlement of Freemanville after the Civil War.

  • Port Orange offers both riverside (Halifax River) and near-ocean living, making it attractive for water-based recreation and residential living alike.

Nearby Cities

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