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City Demographics Updated: 09/08/08 GENERAL: - Incorporation Date: December 31, 1995 - Population: 85,921 (as of September 7, 2008) - Seasonal Population: 2,346 University of Florida population projection by year 2016: 112,144+ (Population projected to grow by 97% between 1990-2010) - Median age: 32.4 - Area size: 41 square miles; including 8.4 sq. miles (100+ lakes) - Developed lots: 33,715 - Platted single family residential lots: 36,683 - Median rent: $708 - Median mortgage: $810 - New residential construction: Average 1,080 homes per year from 2000 to 2005; 98% built after 1965 - Average household size: 2.78 CLIMATE: Deltona lies in a region that overlaps a transitional zone between the sub-tropical climate characteristic of Southern Florida, and the more temperate climate typical of the Southeastern states. The area benefits from a three-season climate (spring, summer, and fall) with an average annual rainfall of 53". Elevations range from 20' to 112' above sea level. Deltona is located about 30 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. Mean annual temperature: 72oF Average daily summer temperature: 90oF Average daily winter temperature: 50oF REGIONAL SETTING: The City is situated in the southwest Volusia County area and can be characterized as an "edge city" to the Orlando Metropolitan Area. The City of Deltona is adjacent to the Cities of DeBary, Orange City, Lake Helen, and is in close proximity to the City of DeLand. The City of Deltona also abuts the rural communities of Cassadaga, Enterprise and Osteen. According to the Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing, the southwest Volusia County area has a population of approximately 105,000 and a projected increase to approximately 150,000 by the year 2010. The main transportation network within the City is made up of a series of residential collectors, some of which function as minor arterials. Interstate-4 provides regional transportation access and allows Deltona to be very accessible to the Daytona Beach and Orlando Metropolitan Area. Deltona is approximately 25 miles from both cities. From a regional perspective, the US 17-92 corridor is a main hub of commercial activity. This trend of commercial use is evident in the Cities of DeBary, DeLand and Orange City's existing land use pattern; commercial activity also occurs along Enterprise Road and Saxon Boulevard to just east of Interstate-4. MACKLE BROTHER MASTER PLAN: In 1963, the Mackle brothers began construction of the Deltona Lakes subdivision. The subdivision included out-parcels for drainage retention, apartments, churches, parks, commercial centers, an industrial area, a community (civic) center, and a golf course. The community was originally marketed to senior citizens looking for the ideal place to retire. According to the 1970 U.S. Census, the Deltona Census Designated Place (CDP) had just over 4,000 residents and a median age of 62 years. Subsequent to the development of Disney World, and the growth of the regional population, the marketing scheme changed and residential lots were sold to broader interests. In 1974, the Deltona Lakes subdivision was approved as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) by the Volusia County Council. A housing boom occurred in the 1980's and by 1990, the average age of the 51,000 Deltona CDP residents was 35 years old. Before the City incorporated on December 31, 1995, Deltona was recognized as a geographic location by the U.S. Census Bureau. It should be noted that the Deltona CDP is a little larger in geographic size than the actual City boundary. EXISTING LAND USES AND CONDITIONS The land area of the City is dominated by the Deltona Lakes Planned Unit Development (PUD). The Deltona Lakes PUD is mainly comprised of single family residential parcels with more than 35,000 single family lots. With over 33,000 developed residential units, residential land use dominates the City's development pattern. Some 4,200 vacant platted single-family lots remain from the Deltona Lakes PUD. The development pattern has been on a first come-first serve basis with the remaining residential lots. Barring environmental or required service(s) constraints, residential construction will occur on an at-large basis. In addition, during the past couple of years, the City has conducted several voluntary annexations as requested by the individual property owners (5,000 acres +). Several additional voluntary annexation proposals are underway. Commercial land uses currently total less than 2.3% of all developed land in Deltona. Commercial uses are located along main thoroughfares such as Deltona Boulevard, Providence Boulevard, Saxon Boulevard and Howland Boulevard. Presently, there are less than three acres of commercial property servicing every 1,000 persons in Deltona. The regional commercial average is approximately six acres of commercial property servicing every 1,000 persons. Existing industrial land uses as identified by the Property Appraiser's tax rolls total only 13.6 acres. This equates to less than a quarter acre of industrial use per 1,000 persons. The regional average is approximately four acres per 1,000 persons. The Deltona Activity Center (approximately 900 acres) includes land zoned for industrial use and the Property Appraiser's tax rolls identifies an additional 61 acres of vacant industrial property. The Deltona Activity Center is located in the northwestern portion of the City, east of Interstate-4 and north and south of Howland Boulevard. According to the Property Appraiser's tax rolls, agriculture is another relatively nominal use with only 146 acres. Three parcels make up 120 acres, or just over 80% or 120 of those acres. Recreation and public/semi-public uses include golf courses, parks, schools, government buildings and conservation lands. There are seven elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools serving Deltona. There are also 41 park sites in Deltona, including 18 developed parks and over 500 additional acres devoted to parks. EDUCATION The City has eight elementary schools, three middle, and two high schools operated by the Volusia County School System with a total enrollment of over 16,230 students. Some Deltona elementary school students also attend two other schools that are located outside of the City limits. Deltona’s first high school, Deltona High, opened in 1989. Deltona High has an enrollment rate of almost 3,000 students. In 1994, a second high school was built. Pine Ridge High has an enrollment of over 2,500 students. Daytona State College (DSC), Deltona Center Campus, is located at the City of Deltona’s Municipal Complex. City Hall is located on 10 acres of a 100-acre State educational site upon which the separate DBCC Deltona Center Campus was opened on August 2004. The City provides 4,000 sq. ft. of space in the City Hall facility to DBCC. The lease term expires in 2009, it is anticipated that City staff will take over the remainder of the wing of the building currently housing DBCC. FIRE SERVICES Today, the Fire Department operates four stations, each with the most advanced Emergency Medical and Fire Protection Service in Volusia County. Due to efficient financial management, these services are provided to the citizens of Deltona at a lower cost than that of neighboring communities. · Station 61 is located at 1685 Providence Blvd. and was built in 1973. This is the most central of Deltona’s four stations, and serves as the administration building for the Fire/Rescue Department. The old Station 62 site at 1362 Lombardy Drive was built in 1965 and is now used as a site to educate the community on fire and life safety. · Station 62 is located at 320 Diamond Street and was built in 2005. The station is located in the part of Deltona often referred to as the “first area” and is situated in a quiet residential community. · Station 63 is located at 2147 Howland Blvd. and was built in 1977. This facility underwent minor remodeling when it was converted to a full-time staffed station. · Station 64 is located at 236 Fort Smith Blvd. Originally opened in 1989 as a temporary facility, the permanent facility was built in 1996 and provides larger living and garage areas. The City is planning a fifth fire station and has set aside $1.2 million for the construction of this facility and $450,000 for the purchase of a new fire apparatus for this facility. This station will also serve as a training facility for the fire department personnel. LAW ENFORCEMENT The City of Deltona continues to contract law enforcement services with the County of Volusia's Sherriff's Office for the provisions of all law enforcement functions within municipal boundaries. This contractual relationship has been in place since the City's incorporation in 1995. Deputy Sheriff's assigned to the City respond to calls for service from City residents on a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week basis. Service calls range from emergencies, crimes in progress, traffic accidents, and major case investigations to taking routine complaints. Once again, Deltona had one of the lowest crime rates in the State of Florida for communities with populations over 60,000. Even with that impressive ranking, the City is committed to remain aggressive in dealing with crime in a proactive way and offering varied tools to our officers to accomplish those ends. RECREATION The City’s Parks & Recreation Department operates eighteen neighborhood and community parks, providing a variety of recreation facilities for all ages. The City recently renovated Tom Hoffman (formerly Whipple) Park, Campbell Park and the Lake Monroe Boat Ramp. The Hoffman Park project was done through Volusia County ECHO and the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP). The City received FRDAP money for the Campbell Park project as well. Funding for the Lake Monroe Boat Ramp improvement project was done with the assistance of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission under the Florida Boating Improvement Program. Tom Hoffman Park now includes a butterfly garden, walking trail (which is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Compliant) and an open-field play area. Campbell Park improvements include an ADA compliant floating dock, beach volleyball courts, lighted tennis courts, a two-story overlook, picnic areas, renovated shuffle board courts, gazebos, playground, and an ADA compliant fitness trail. The Lake Monroe area has two floating docks, picnic tables, is ADA accessible and boasts an improved vehicle and boat parking area. Parks & Recreation will be adding two covered pavilions to the park in the near future. The City hopes to pursue and secure future grant opportunities that will enable us to continue various park improvement projects including the new 122-acre sports complex in the Alexander/Providence area. We are very aware of the need for safe areas for our citizens to enjoy the nature trails in our parks. To this end we are working with Volusia and Seminole Counties as well as the entire St. Johns River Trail system to tie our trails into the Seminole County Lake Monroe Loop and the East/West trail. Previous, current and planned park improvements have significantly enhanced our natural environment in the City. We will continue to make every effort to avail ourselves of opportunities to promote recreation and environmental opportunities to the citizens of the City of Deltona. RIVERS AND LAKES The City includes more than 100 lakes, totaling over eight (8) square miles. One of the somewhat unique features of the lakes of Deltona is that the lake levels have a tendency to be erratic. Information compiled by the St. Johns River Water Management District, from 1991 to early March 1997, shows that some of the lake elevations have changed by as much as eight feet. In the six years of review, some of the lakes had high and low elevation differences of more than ten feet. The City’s completion of the Lake Doyle-Lake Bethel Interconnect and other Stormwater Projects has significantly improved the City’s ability to manage seasonal fluctuations in water levels and control the wide-spread flooding that has occurred within the City in past years. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The City currently enjoys a favorable economic environment and local indicators point to continued stability. The City’s economic outlook is largely impacted by the state and regional economy with a great deal of reliance on surrounding communities for work, shopping and entertainment. Area employment consists predominantly of service related activities, retail trade, manufacturing, government and construction. The regional economy has flourished and with it the City has experienced high levels of building activity and increased population growth. The City’s land use is almost entirely residential and over 75% built out. New construction of single-family residential housing has averaged 1,100 homes annually accompanied by a 38% increase in population since 1995. The City is faced with the need to accommodate growth, as well as establish the means necessary to manage it. While residents enjoy the quiet suburban lifestyle of this community and public sentiment is to maintain and preserve its residential character, the City’s largely residential make-up and continued growth presents a significant challenge for the City government, with respect to all aspects of service delivery and diversity in the upcoming years. |