Volusia County is located in the east-central part of the U.S. state of Florida between the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2020 census, the county was home to 553,543 people, an increase of 11.9% from the 2010 census. It was founded on December 29, 1854, from part of Orange County, and was named for the community of Volusia, located in northwestern Volusia County. Its first county seat was Enterprise. Since 1887, its county seat has been DeLand.
Volusia County courthouse in DeLand, built in 2001
Volusia on the right bank of the St. Johns River (circa 1835)
Timucua owl totem found near Hontoon Island in the St. Johns River, Volusia County
Avenue of Moss-Covered Oaks, Near Ormond, Florida -- an 1893 duotone print
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and it is the most significant one for commercial and recreational use. At 310 miles (500 km) long, it flows north and winds through or borders twelve counties. The drop in elevation from headwaters to mouth is less than 30 feet (9 m); like most Florida waterways, the St. Johns has a very slow flow speed of 0.3 mph (0.13 m/s), and is often described as "lazy".
St. Johns River near Astor
Cypress trees in the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area showing dark water marks on the flared trunks, evidence of water level flux
The St. Johns immediately south of Sanford shows a narrow channel with large areas of aquatic plants and wetlands.
St. Johns River near Blue Spring State Park showing more distinct banks and trees instead of marshes
