Port Orange, Florida

Port Orange is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The city is part of the Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach metropolitan area. Port Orange is a principal city in the Fun Coast region of the state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 62,596.

Port Orange was settled by John Milton Hawks, who brought freed African Americans to work at his sawmill after the U.S. Civil War. Esther Hawks established an integrated school in the area. The colony struggled soon after its creation and most colonists left. The area that became known as Freemanville is a legacy of the settlers who stayed in the area.

Geography

The approximate coordinates for the City of Port Orange is located at (29.118970, –81.002906).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (7.09%) is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Port Orange has a humid subtropical climate zone (''Cfa'').

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 62,596 people, 26,547 households, and 16,244 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 56,048 people, 23,447 households, and 14,977 families residing in the city.

Economy

One of the larger businesses in Port Orange is Thompson Pump and Manufacturing. The city has started courting high-tech companies as well, prompting the simulation training defense contractor, Raydon Corporation, to move its headquarters and all operations there in 2010.

Education

Public primary and secondary education is handled by Volusia County Schools. Port Orange schools are A-rated by the state, and one of the high schools, Spruce Creek High School, has made the list of one of the top 100 high schools in the nation for several years in a row, as well as offering students the International Baccalaureate program.

Elementary schools

* Horizon Elementary School
* Spruce Creek Elementary School
* Sugar Mill Elementary School
* Cypress Creek Elementary School
* Sweetwater Elementary School
* Port Orange Elementary School
* South Daytona Elementary School

Middle schools

* Creekside Middle School
* Silver Sands Middle School
* Campbell Middle School
* David C. Hinson Sr. Middle School
* Deland Middle School
* Deltona Middle School
* Galaxy Middle School
* Heritage Middle School
* Holly Hill Middle School
* New Smyrna Beach Middle School
* Ormond Beach Middle School
* River Springs Middle School
* Southwestern Middle School
* T. Dewitt Taylor Middle-High

High schools

* Spruce Creek High School
* Atlantic High School
* Deland High School
* Deltona High School
* Mainland High School
* New Smyrna Beach High School
* Pine Ridge High School
* Seabreeze High School
* University High School
* T. Dewitt Taylor Middle-High

Colleges and universities

Port Orange is the home of the Florida campus of Palmer College of Chiropractic. The campus in Port Orange was founded in 2002 by James E. Hether, D. C.

Culture

The Kenneth W. Parker Amphitheater hosts events such as the annual Lakeside Jazz Festival.

Notable people

* Vince Carter, NBA player
* Adam Cianciarulo, professional Motocross racer
* Charles Dougherty (Florida politician)
* Marci Gonzalez, ABC news reporter WABC-TV New York City
* Danielle Harris, actress
* Ryan Lochte, Olympic gold medalist
* Bobby Kennedy, NASCAR driver
* Mark Martin, NASCAR driver
* Dan Pardus, NASCAR driver
* Mike Skinner, NASCAR driver

Transportation

Airports

*The Daytona Beach International Airport is the nearest major airport.
* New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport is the closest airport to Port Orange.
*Spruce Creek Airport is a private community airport.

Major Roads

* is the main north–south interstate highway along the east coast of the state. The sole interchange for Port Orange is at Exit 256, also known as Florida State Road 421 (''see below'').
* is the main local road through Port Orange, running north–south. It served as the main north–south highway in the state and the eastern half of the county until I-95 was built. The route enters the city from the south at Spruce Creek Park near New Smyrna Beach and leaves at the border with South Daytona.
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Railroad

The main railroad line through Port Orange is the Florida East Coast Railway. Port Orange contained a separate passenger and freight station along Dunlawton Avenue which were merged together, in 1924. Passenger service ended in Port Orange in 1932, though it continued as a flag stop until the long strike of 1963. Freight service ended in 1964 when railroads shifted freight operations more within yards rather than freight stations.

Freight service continues to operate along the Florida East Coast Railway, but makes no stops within Port Orange.

Public transportation

Port Orange is served by several bus routes operated by VOTRAN. The #4 & #17 offer Sunday and night service.

References

External links

City of Port Orange official website

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Populated places on the Intracoastal Waterway in Florida
Cities in Volusia County, Florida
Populated places established in 1867
Cities in Florida
1867 establishments in Florida