Thanks for reading this blog article – “Why live in DeBary Florida?”. Discom Realty is dedicated to providing only the best information about the communities we help to sell homes in. Discom Realty Inc has been selling real estate in DeBary Florida which is part of Volusia County for over 25 years. So enjoy learning about this unique city in Central Florida.
Why live in DeBary Florida?
DeBary is a suburb of Orlando with a population of 20,696. DeBary is in Volusia County and is one of the best places to live in Florida. Living in DeBary offers residents a suburban rural mix feel, and most residents own their homes. In DeBary there are a lot of parks – this blog article shares the parks available in DeBary. Many retirees live in DeBary and residents tend to lean conservative when voting. The public schools in DeBary are above average.
DeBary is in Volusia County and is one of the best places to live in Florida. Living in DeBary offers residents a suburban rural mix feel and most residents own their homes. In DeBary there are a lot of parks. Many retirees live in DeBary and residents tend to lean conservative.
What is DeBary Florida like?
DeBary is a very quaint yet established city. I highly recommend for new families or jut retired folks, as the elementary school is very good and there are several golf courses in the area.
Does DeBary Florida have a lot of crime?
DeBary has an overall crime rate of 11 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in DeBary is 1 in 88.
How far is DeBary Florida from Orlando and Daytona Beach?
There are 23.21 miles from Debary to Orlando in south direction and 26 miles (41.84 kilometers) by car, following the I-4 W route. Debary and Orlando are 30 minutes far apart if you drive non-stop.
The driving distance is 34 miles from DeBary to Daytona Beach. There are 29.87 miles from Debary to Daytona Beach in northeast direction and 34 miles (54.72 kilometers) by car, following the I-4 E route. DeBary and Daytona Beach are 38 minutes far apart if you drive non-stop.
City of DeBary History – Why live in DeBary Florida?
The Timucuan Indians once lived in the vicinity of Lake Monroe, where the domain of Chief Utina extended to just north of Lake George. They hunted, fished, and gathered plants and berries from the forest. By 1760, however, the Timucua had disappeared and been replaced by the Seminole tribe from Alabama and Georgia. Florida was acquired from Spain in 1821, but the Seminole Wars delayed settlement. In 1866, Elijah Watson of Enterprise sold land to Oliver and Amanda Arnett on the northern shore of the St. Johns River at Lake Monroe, where they built a house.
The couple in turn sold 400 acres (1.6 km2) in 1871 to (Samuel) Frederick deBary, a wealthy wine merchant from New York City, and that same year, he erected a hunting lodge. Called “DeBary Hall”, the 8,000-sq-ft (700-m²), 20-room Italianate mansion featured a two-tiered veranda, stables, an ice house, and the state’s first swimming pool, fed by a spring. Visitors included Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Grover Cleveland.
Over time, he acquired an additional 9,000 acres (36 km2), planting orange groves and pecan trees. Some debate remains as to whether this was actually the first pool in Florida, as a St. Augustine pool has also made the same claim. One possibility is that this was the first spring-fed pool in the state, In 1875, deBary bought a small steamboat, the George M. Bird, to transport his horses and dogs along the St. Johns River for hunting expeditions, and also to take fruit to market. He established the DeBary Merchants’ Line in 1876, a steamship service contracted to carry mail between Jacksonville and Enterprise.
It acquired the sidewheeler Frederick DeBary. In 1883, the firm merged with the Baya Line, owned by Colonel H.T. Baya, to create the DeBary-Baya Merchants’ Line, with 13 steamboats and a crew of 3,000 running to Sanford. The DeBary-Baya Merchants’ Line sold its business in 1889 to the Clyde Line, which survived until 1928.
Frederick deBary died in 1898, and his mansion is today a restored museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The estate, reduced to 10 acres (40,000 m2), now features the community’s oldest building, the Arnett House. Incorporated in 1993, the City of DeBary is named for its noted settler.
What is DeBary Recent History?
The City of DeBary is known for its warm and friendly hometown atmosphere. DeBary has thousands of oak trees, is a Bird Sanctuary, and has an extensive park system. Located on the northern shore of the beautiful St. Johns River, it is the gateway to southwestern Volusia County, with direct access to I-4 and U.S. Highway 17/92 and serves as a corridor between Orlando, Sanford, and Daytona Beach. DeBary has been incorporated since December 31, 1993, and has a population of 21,900 (2019) within an area of 25 square miles.
The Mayor and City Council are exceptionally business-friendly and actively encourage new businesses to locate in DeBary. DeBary enjoys one of the lowest ad valorem tax rates in Volusia County. The City contracts for police, fire, and animal control, which keeps costs low while providing a high level of service. As an experiment in innovative government, DeBary is an ideal candidate to serve as a model to other communities.
DeBary Hall Historic Site is the restored winter home of Samuel Frederick deBary, the first settler in this region. Built in 1871, the 8,000 sq. ft. Italianate architectural style mansion is open to the public with artists. displays, multimedia programs, and docent-led tours. DeBary Hall Historic Site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 24, 1972.
DeBary offers a diversity of lifestyles, which include upscale country clubs and championship golf courses, rural acreage with horses, and riverside homes. Environmentally sensitive areas and agricultural areas of the City are separated from low-to-medium density residential areas by a power plant, a community park, and a subdivision of one-acre home sites with a rural/residential zoning classification.
Events held each year in the City include our 4th of July Celebration, Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting Ceremony, and Chili Cook-Off, Halloween and Christmas Lights decoration contests, Potluck Dinners, and our Father and Daughter Dance.
The Gateway Center for the Arts conducts several theatrical performances, art festivals, Youth Celebration of the Arts, and concerts by the Gateway Orchestra. Many other event organizers coordinate events within the City all year round to include races, food trucks and farmers markets, sports tournaments, festivals, and more!
Recent History of DeBary – Why live in DeBary Florida?
The parks located in the City vary from neighborhood playgrounds and sports complexes to a large 108-acre Nature Park that boasts a world-class 36-hole disc golf course. Gemini Springs Park is a Volusia County Park named for its free-flowing twin springs, with full recreational activities. Memorial Park is a 2.5-acre passive park with picnic pavilions, an F-15A Eagle airplane, and a 9-ton anchor from the USS Langley.
Rob Sullivan Community Park is the largest sports park and is named for a former Council Member who was instrumental in the early development of the City’s park system. The City has 9 parks in total with several different amenities to include playgrounds, pavilions, courts, and fields. There are also 3 County parks located within the City limits.
DeBary Babe Ruth baseball and softball games are held at Bill Keller and Rob Sullivan Parks, along with all the City sports programs. DeBary Parks Recreation Department offers a wide variety of recreation programs to the children and youth of our community as well as activities for adults. Programs offered are the Youth Soccer, Youth Dodgeball, Youth Kickball, Adult Kickball, Youth Tumbling, Youth Flag Football, Youth Cheerleading, Summer Camp and several other contracted programs and classes.
DeBary is an activist community with citizens serving on a wide variety of volunteer boards and committees. The City administers a Neighborhood Watch Program, and a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) as well as offering presentations on subjects important in the lives of our residents.
A community that emphasizes quality of life and quality of services, DeBary stands out in terms of distinctive character, charm, and resources. It is the ultimate in small-town living with friendly citizens, sunny climate, and an open-door City Council; a town that is progressive yet has retained its unique southern charm. DeBary’s distinctive qualities motivate people and businesses to VISIT DeBary, to WORK in DeBary, and to LIVE in DeBary.
Does DeBary have any parks?
Yes, Parks and recreation
DeBary boasts several large parks and open land, each serving several outdoor activities. Here is a list of city parks and park managed by the county and/or the state of Florida:
- Alexandra Park
- Bill Keller Park
- Community Park
- Eagle’s Nest Park
- Gateway Park
- Memorial Park
- Power Park
- River City Nature Park
- Rob Sullivan Park
- DeBary Hall
- Gemini Springs Park
- Lake Monroe Park
What schools are available for children living in the City of DeBary? – Why live in DeBary Florida?
- DeBary Elementary
- Deltona Middle School
- Enterprise Elementary
- Highbanks Learning Center
- Manatee Cove Elementary
- Reading Edge Academy
- River Springs Middle School
- University High School
What higher education opportunities are available for DeBary residents?
- Bethune Cookman University
- Daytona State College
- Florida Technical College
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Keiser University
- Palmer College of Chiropractic
- Stetson University
- University of Central Florida (Daytona campus)
What fun things are there available to do in DeBary Florida?
DeBary has Marinas and Boat Ramps for boaters. – Why live in DeBary Florida?
- Lake Monroe Park
- Highbanks Boat Ramp
- Highbanks Marina
DeBary has Golf Courses and Country Clubs too.
- DeBary Golf and Country Club
- Glen Abbey Golf Club
- The Deltona Club
DeBary has museum and art exhibits as well. – Why live in DeBary Florida?
- Gateway Center for the Arts
- Museum of Art
- African American Museum of the Arts
DeBary has local business networking for professionals.
- DeLand Chamber of Commerce
- Volusia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- West Volusia Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Sanford Regional Chamber of Commerce
- DeBary Rotary Club
- West Volusia Toastmasters Club – Toastmasters International
- Landmark Lodge No. 383 Free and Accepted Masons
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8093
- Four Townes Moose
Thanks for reading this blog article – “Why live in DeBary Florida?”. We hope we can help you find your perfect dream home in DeBary Florida. Contact us today or check out more about us now. Follow us on Facebook now – click here!
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