Volusia County, FL

Volusia County is situated on the east coast of Central Florida, standing out as a home buying destination with its 47 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches. This coastline is rated as a world-class playground and serves as one of the growth platforms for the county’s beachfront cities that include Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Ormond Beach.

Stretching between the St. Johns River and the Atlantic, Volusia was created as a county in 1854, with part of its territory drawn from Orange County. Its name was adopted from the early European settlement of Volusia on the western side of the county. DeLand is the county seat, while Deltona is Volusia’s largest city.

Water Charms and More

Volusia’s area totals about 1,430 square miles, with water comprising some 330 square miles and land 1,100 square miles. It is a given that Volusia’s oceanfront and riverfront communities are centers of water-based sports and leisure activities. St. Johns River is famed not only for its rustic sceneries but also for its bass fishing. The river, in addition, links with magnificent parks and wildlife preserves along the county’s western border.

Genuine southern charm can be experienced in the county seat DeLand and its stately historic homes and buildings. This city’s crown jewel is its award-winning downtown teeming with quaint restaurants and antique shops.

Big in Motor Sports

These attractions are but some of the reasons why this county is such a wonderful place to live in or visit. The delights of motor sports too form part of the factors that has helped shape Volusia as an exciting destination for tourists as well as real estate property buyers. Car racing in the county flourished when the automotive industry’s pioneers, like Henry Ford and Louis Chevrolet, saw the hard-packed sand in Volusia’s beaches as perfect testing grounds in the early days of car racing.

It is for this reason that Ormond Beach has earned its reputation as the “Birthplace of Speed.”

Volusia’s auto racing tradition still flourishes at the Daytona International Speedway, home to one of the top racing facilities worldwide and the host to the Daytona 500, a world-famous event eclipsing the Super Bowl.

The economic profile of Volusia reflects the county’s strong linkage with motor sports. It hosts the firm International Speedway Corp. and its flagship business NASCAR, which are listed among the 350 biggest companies in Florida. Other large companies with billion-dollar revenues operating in Volusia include the insurance firm Brown & Brown and the publicly traded real estate company Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co.

Diverse Industries

Volusia has also drawn the defense unit of Sparton, the world’s largest producer of sonobuoys. Daytona Beach is the specific choice for Teledyne Oil and Gas, a world leader in subsea fiber optic and electrical interconnect systems. Ormond Beach, for its part, is the manufacturing site of Hawaiian Tropic sun care products. At DeLand, global healthcare products manufacturer Medtronic and the Florida contact center of Frontier Communications have set up shop along with some of the world’s top parachute makers.

Renowned private universities have a strong presence too in Volusia to round out the qualities that make it a desirable place to live in. These learning institutions include the historic Black school Bethune-Cookman University and the aviation and aeronautics school Embry-Riddle, both in Daytona Beach. High-ranking Stetson University too has a campus in DeLand, making this city truly a wise choice to settle in.

References:

Central Florida’s unique geology brings natural risks due to its limestone-rich landscapes. The Florida Geological Survey’s 2008 sinkhole map shows 58 documented incidents in Volusia County. These incidents are mostly near DeLand, Deltona, and Daytona Beach.

These areas have unstable terrain because of porous bedrock and shifting groundwater. Karst landscapes, with dissolved carbonate rock layers, are common here. When water levels drop or acidic rain erodes these layers, underground cavities collapse.

This collapse creates sudden depressions, from small pits to massive craters. These craters can swallow entire properties.

Data from the Florida Center for Instructional Technology shows human activity speeds up subsidence in vulnerable zones. Construction and groundwater pumping destabilize these delicate systems. For example, Deltona’s rapid growth has led to more incidents in the 1990s.

It’s important to understand the difference between natural sinkholes and human-induced ground collapses. Both are risky, but prevention strategies vary. The 2008 dataset is key for mapping high-risk areas and guiding land-use policies in the county.

Recent & Notable Sinkhole Incidents / Case Studies

Hurricane Milton hit Volusia County FL in October 2024. It caused three big sinkholes, showing how vulnerable our infrastructure is. These sinkholes happened at the storm’s strongest point, showing the dangers of local geology.

U.S. 17-92 Roadway Collapse: A 40-foot hole opened up on the highway near the West Volusia Dream Center. It took six weeks to fix. This made it hard for people in Deltona and Orange City to get around.
Threadgill Place Subsidence: The ground gave way next to Lowe’s, moving 12 homes. Tests found a 25-foot hole under the street.
Tremont Drive Washouts: Water from Big Lots eroded the limestone, making three sinkholes 180 feet long.

Between 2004 and 2023, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection found 42 sinkholes in Volusia County. Most were in Deltona and DeBary. They have a map to help people find sinkhole information by ZIP code and year.

After the 2024 sinkholes, experts said they were caused by old stormwater systems. These systems let too much water into the ground. Now, the county is making roads and highways safer from sinkholes.

Risk Factors & What Homeowners Should Do

Residents in Volusia County FL face higher risks of sinkholes. This is because of the area’s soluble limestone bedrock and changes in groundwater. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) says to watch for foundation cracks, sudden yard depressions, and structural tilts. These are signs that need quick action.

Homeowners should check their properties every three months. Look at exterior walls, pool decks, and plumbing systems. FDEP suggests taking photos and using checklists to track changes. Also, make sure to manage stormwater to avoid soil erosion. Keep downspouts away from foundations and fix pavement cracks fast.

When you notice doors or windows are off, it could mean subsidence. Volusia County has a database for certified engineering firms. It’s also important to check your home insurance. Make sure it covers sinkhole damage, as many policies don’t unless you add it.

The FDEP has a system for reporting sinkholes. It lets you share details and see hazard maps. Volusia County’s portal shows sinkhole history and groundwater levels. By being proactive and using these tools, you can reduce risks and protect your home.

FAQ

Why is Volusia County particularily prone to sinkholes?

Volusia County’s geology is made of porous limestone bedrock. This rock is soluble and interacts with groundwater, creating underground voids. The 2008 sinkhole map by the Florida Geological Survey shows 58 incidents, mostly in DeLand and Daytona Beach.

What areas in Volusia County have the highest sinkhole risk?

Areas along U.S. 17-92 near DeLand and Deltona have a high risk. The FDEP’s map shows 42 incidents from 2004-2023. Deltona, DeBary, and Orange City are most affected due to their geology.

How did Hurricane Milton impact sinkhole formation in October 2024?

Hurricane Milton’s heavy rain caused three major collapses. These were on U.S. 17-92, Threadgill Place, and Tremont Drive. This shows how weather can speed up erosion in karst terrains.

What proactive measures can homeowners take against sinkhole damage?

Homeowners should inspect their foundations monthly and maintain stormwater systems. They should also get professional evaluations for subsidence signs and check their insurance for sinkhole coverage. Volusia County offers geological data for risk assessment.

How does human activity influence sinkhole development in Volusia County?

Human activities like bad stormwater management or construction vibrations cause 23% of sinkholes. For example, a 2016 sinkhole in Deltona was caused by leaking irrigation lines. In 2021, road collapses in DeLand were due to old utility infrastructure.

Where can residents report suspected sinkhole activity?

Residents can report sinkholes through the Florida Geological Survey’s online portal or call (386) 736-5959. All reports are added to the public sinkhole map.

Sinkholes in Volusia County, FL | Florida Sinkholes