Discover DeLand, FL: Guide, Best Things To Do, Dining, Housing + 6 Tips before you go in 2025
DeLand is Florida’s best-kept secret. Think small town vibes with college energy, thanks to Stetson University. You get historic charm, amazing springs, the world’s skydiving capital, and a downtown that actually won awards. Housing’s still affordable compared to Orlando, you’re 30 minutes from beaches, and the winter weather is perfect. Summer? Yeah, it gets pretty brutal with humidity. Crime stats look scary on paper, but locals feel safe. Perfect for retirees, families, or anyone wanting that “large small town” feel.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about DeLand
About 56 miles, roughly an hour to hour and a half depending on I-4 traffic. One local said “all the attractions in the Orlando International Airport are going to take you an hour or so but in reality those of us here in the DeLand area we just don’t go there very often.”
This gets asked a lot. The stats show “a crime rate of 38 per thousand” which sounds scary, but locals disagree. As one resident said: “I’ve been to DeLand a few times I don’t really see that as a possibility” and “all the friends that I have that live there or visit there frequently always say they feel very safe in the city.”
Winters are amazing – “high temperatures reach the low to mid 70s and the lows are in the 40s.” Summers? “High temperatures stay in the mid-90s and the humidity is oppressive.” You’ll get over 200 days of sunshine but expect afternoon thunderstorms in summer.
Absolutely. “If you’re going to live in DeLand you’re going to have to have a vehicle.” Public transportation is super limited – basically just one bus route on Highway 92.
It’s growing fast. Major employers include “Volusia County Schools, Stetson University, and the City of DeLand.” Job growth is projected at 47% over the next 5-10 years. Many people commute to Orlando or Daytona for work.
Way cheaper than Orlando. Median home price is around $355,000-383,000. “You’re generally going to get more bang for your buck here than you will anywhere else in Central Florida.” Average rent is about $1,350 per month.
Yep! “DeLand is known as a parachuting capital” with tons of skydiving operations at the municipal airport. Pretty cool watching people drop from the sky while you’re eating lunch.
DeLand has good options. The high school has “a great IB program and students can sometimes complete their AA degrees long before leaving High School.” Plus you’ve got Stetson University right there, and “Florida has school choice which gives parents a lot of options.”
Where is DeLand Located?
So you’re wondering where exactly DeLand sits? Picture this: you’re about 40 minutes north of Orlando, right off the I-4 corridor. Head east for 25-30 minutes and boom – you hit Daytona Beach. The locals say it best: “DeLand is really the north of North Orlando” and honestly, that’s spot on.
This place sits right in Volusia County with around 33,000 to 44,000 people (depending on who’s counting). It’s basically the perfect spot if you want to escape Orlando’s craziness but still stay close to everything. One resident put it perfectly: “DeLand is kind of the anti-New York City or any other big city for that matter.”
What To Do In DeLand – Attractions
- Blue Springs State Park This place is magic. “Just south you’ve got Blue Springs. A lot of outdoor activities and state parks and lots of cold waters to go see the manatees.” The water stays 72 degrees year-round, and between December and February, you’ll see tons of manatees. It’s only about 17 minutes from downtown DeLand.
- Hontoon Island State Park Super unique because “this park is only accessible by private boat or Park provided ferry.” Once you’re there, you can rent bikes, canoes, kayaks, or just hike around. It’s like having your own private island adventure.
- Historic Downtown District The downtown really is special – it won “The Main Street America’s award and the Great American Main Street award.” You’ll find “local restaurants, bars, and local shops here. Full of small businesses that people love to support.”
- Artisan Alley Farmers Market Every Friday night from 6-9 PM, downtown comes alive. “It becomes a very vibrant marketplace with full of people and over 80 vendors and Farmers all selling their wares.” One visitor said it was “one of the highlights of my time in DeLand.”
- Stetson University Even if you’re not a student, the campus is gorgeous. “Stetson University is gorgeous and it wraps around DeLand in an elegant fashion none of that crazy College Vibe.” They have sporting events, concerts, and the campus lights up beautifully at Christmas.
- Athens Theater This historic theater offers “a great film a great theater a great play a great show.” It’s right in the heart of downtown and adds to that cultural vibe.
- Skydiving Since DeLand is the skydiving capital, you’ve got to at least watch. Many locals say “on gorgeous days after church on Sundays in the winter when it’s nice and cool we’ll head over to the DeLand municipal airport and watch the skydivers while we’re having lunch.”
- DeLand Springs “DeLand Springs is a gorgeous natural spring” where you can swim in that perfect 72-degree water. Early birds can hit up the Sugar Mill to “make your own pancakes with the family.”
Local Food Scene – Dining
- The Table – “Hosted in this beautiful historic building with Southern scratch kitchen.” This seems to be the local favorite for upscale dining.
- Half Wall – “True to his name you’re going to find some nice yummy Burgers some craft beer.” Perfect casual spot.
- Santorini – “If you’re looking for incredible Greek food we got you here in DeLand.” Everybody raves about this place.
- Pat and Tony’s Chocolate and Things – “If you’re looking for Just Desserts and Drinks you’re going to want to try” this local sweet spot.
- The Bake Shop – Great for coffee and “lots of great places where you can have coffee or great craft beer.”
- Seven Brew Coffee Company – One visitor specifically drove 30 minutes just for this coffee shop, saying their blondies are “very delicious.”
Housing and Real Estate
The housing market in DeLand is still pretty reasonable, especially compared to Orlando madness. Here’s the real deal:
Current Prices
- Median sale price: $355,000-383,000
- Lower than Orlando at around $395,000
- Higher than neighbors like Orange City ($328,000) and Deltona ($312,000)
- But still cheaper than DeBary at $387,000
What You Can Get
- 2-bed/2-bath, 1,164 sq ft: $189,900 (about $163/sq ft)
- 3-bed/2-bath, 1,458 sq ft: $329,000 (about $226/sq ft)
- 3-bed/3-bath, 2,970 sq ft on 10+ acres: $874,000 (about $417/sq ft)
- Housing Types: You’ve got everything. “Gorgeous historical homes” around downtown, “land for those of you who are like Jen I want to bring my horse I don’t want an HOA,” new construction communities, and luxury options.
- Property Taxes: Here’s the catch – “Volusia County has the sixth highest millage rate in the entire State giving us property taxes that seem to be skyrocketing.” But remember, “Florida has no state income tax” so it balances out.
Hot Areas
- Victoria Park – “The largest community down on the Southeast side of DeLand and not too far from I-4”
- Glenwood – Great for land and avoiding cookie-cutter homes
- Historic Downtown – Lots of character but pricier
- New Construction Areas – Southwest side near highways
Pros of Living in DeLand
- Perfect Location “DeLand offers a great location in the middle of so much with a small town feel and affordable living.” You’re 30 minutes from beaches, 45 minutes from Orlando, hour and 15 minutes to St. Augustine. It’s like having the best of everything within reach.
- Small Town Vibe “DeLand surely has a small town feel to it the people are friendly mostly Blue Collar folks not much pretentiousness going on here.” Multiple people mentioned this – it’s not trying to be something it’s not.
- Winter Weather The winter months are absolutely perfect. “When the high temperatures reach the low to mid 70s and the lows are in the 40s.” You can escape the snow and actually enjoy being outside.
- Affordability “The cost of living here in the DeLand area is generally lower than the surrounding wider areas.” Your dollar goes further here than in Orlando or at the beaches.
- Culture and Arts For a small town, DeLand punches way above its weight. “DeLand is known for so much culture and so much art” with the Athens Theater, annual art festivals, and “DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts where the streets are full of artists from every single caliber.”
- Traffic (For Now) “Traffic isn’t really much of a thing here in DeLand although it has gotten worse in recent years.” There’s like “one traffic light in DeLand that you might have to sit through twice.”
- Natural Beauty The springs, oak trees, rolling hills – “in some of the areas here in DeLand you get some good rolling hills in the neighborhoods. And in a lot of ways, it feels like up north.”
- Great Schools Multiple options including Stetson University right there, plus “DeLand High School has a great IB program.”
Cons of Living in DeLand
- Summer Weather is Brutal “In the middle of the summer high temperatures stay in the mid-90s and the humidity is oppressive.” And because you’re inland, “you don’t get all that nice seabreeze that Marine air that comes through.” One local said it can feel like “you’re inside of a sweat box.”
- Summer Rain “Average rainfall throughout the summer that’s June July August September average per each month is about 7 and a half inches of rain.” You’ll get thunderstorms almost daily, and “once the rain goes away and the sun pops out you guess it that humidity goes through the roof.”
- Limited Nightlife “If you’re looking for nightlife then DeLand is likely not for you.” It’s a college town but don’t expect big city entertainment options.
- Medical Limitations “I recently had a medical procedure for which I had to go all the way down to Orlando.” While DeLand has doctors, for serious stuff you might need to travel.
- Crime Statistics Look Bad The numbers show “a crime rate of 38 per thousand that means boils down to one in 26 people are going to be subject to a violent crime.” Though locals feel safe, the stats are concerning.
- You Need a Car Public transportation is basically non-existent. The walkability score is low, so “if you’re going to live in DeLand you’re going to have to have a vehicle.”
- Limited Dining/Shopping Only about “20 to 25 different restaurants in the DeLand area” and “about 15 places that were listed as places to shop.” For variety, you’re heading to Orlando.
- Growing Pains Traffic is getting worse, housing prices are rising, and “it’s a whole lot worse than it used to be” according to long-time residents.
Real Comments from Locals and Tourists
- Long-Time Residents: “I absolutely love DeLand and I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t love it however I’ve been working as a local realtor in the DeLand area for over a decade now and I’ve lived here in the area for over 25 years so I do know that DeLand is not all rainbows and unicorns.”
- About the Community: “There’s a good sense of community from all walks of life” and “we’ve got quite a few retirees but they’re surely a well Diversified group of people here in DeLand.”
- Weather Reality: “Yes you can hide from the Heat and the air conditioning your swimming pool or over at the beaches but don’t think the weather here is perfect year round.”
- On Growth: “DeLand really seems to be booming” with tons of new construction, but some worry about losing that small-town charm.
- Visitor Perspective: Someone from California said they were “intimidated because DeLand just can’t compete with all that” referring to Disney/entertainment, “but that’s exactly what they were trying to get away from.”
- About Safety: Despite crime statistics, locals consistently say “all the friends that I have that live there or visit there frequently always say they feel very safe in the city.”
6 Tips Before You Go In 2025
- Best Time to Visit: Winter months are perfect. “The winter months are the best time here in the DeLand area.” Summer is pretty miserable unless you’re used to Florida humidity.
- Getting Around: Rent a car or bring yours. Seriously, public transportation won’t cut it. Everything’s spread out and you’ll want to explore the springs and surrounding areas.
- Where to Stay: If you’re visiting, consider staying downtown near Stetson University for walkable access to restaurants and the Friday night market. Or find something near the springs if you’re more into nature.
- What to Pack: Summer: Lightweight, breathable clothes, umbrella for daily thunderstorms, and patience for humidity. Winter: Light layers since mornings can be in the 40s but afternoons hit the 70s.
- Friday Night is THE Night: Don’t miss the Artisan Alley market downtown. It transforms the whole area and gives you the best taste of local culture.
- Hurricane Prep: If you’re moving here, understand that “hurricanes are a real thing here too although DeLand is Inland enough that the punch of that hurricane has often diminished.” You’ll still lose power and deal with downed trees.
- Explore Beyond Downtown: Hit the springs, check out Hontoon Island, drive west into the rural areas. DeLand’s charm isn’t just downtown – “DeLand extends a good way out west beyond the St Johns river into Lake County.”
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