Port Orange is a city in Volusia County, Florida. The city's population was estimated at 64,842 in 2019 by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The city is part of the Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach metropolitan area; the metropolitan area's population in 2010 was 590,289. Port Orange is a principal city in the Fun Coast region of the state of Florida.
Port Orange was settled by John Milton Hawks, who brought freed blacks 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
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.
Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 56,048 people, 24,841 households, and 1,544 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,102.3 per square mile. There were 27,972 housing units at an average density of 1,049.2 per square mile (329.7/km). The racial makeup of the city was 91.3% white, 3.3% African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.2% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.5% of the population.
The median income for a household in the city was $46,572.
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.
Notable people
Vince Carter, NBA player
Adam Cianciarulo, professional Motocross racer
Marci Gonzalez, ABC news reporter WABC-TV New York City
Danielle Harris, actress
Ryan Lochte, Olympic gold medalist
Mark Martin, NASCAR driver
Mike Skinner, NASCAR driver
Public transportation
Port Orange is served by several bus routes operated by VOTRAN. The #4 & #17 offer Sunday and night service.
