Volusia County

Volusia County established in 1855, was named for the port of Volusia on the east bank of the St Johns River. The origins of the word "Volusia" are unclear, though there are several theories.

The land area of present day Volusia County was inhabited by the indigenous Timucua indians. The Timucua no longer exist as a distinct racial entity, having been decimated by war and disease after contact with European settlers. Evidence of their habitation can still be seen in various areas of Volusia County such as the large shell middens at Tomoka State Park.

During the British occupation of Florida, a failed colony was started in southeast Volusia County by Andrew Turnbull, known as New Smyrna.  This colony was connected to St Augustine, the capital of East Florida, via the Kings Road. After the failure of the colony the settlers, many of Minorcan heritage made the 70-mile (110 km) journey to live in St. Augustine.

The Seminole indians, descendants of the Creek tribe of Alabama and Georgia who resisted forced relocation to Indian Territory also camped in various parts of Volusia County. During the Second Seminole War (1836–1842) a large sugar plantation in what is today the city of Daytona Beach was burned by the Seminole.

On the east shore of the St Johns River in Volusia, south of present day Debary, General Winfield Scott established a fort/depot in 1836 named Fort Florida.

The Volusia County Government divides the county into three regions.

East Volusia - also known as the Greater Daytona Beach Area, or the Halifax Area (named for the Halifax River which runs through the area), this region includes the cities of Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Holly Hill, Ormond Beach, Ponce Inlet, Port Orange, and South Daytona; and the surrounding unincorporated areas close to these cities.

Southeast Volusia - also known as the Greater New Smyrna Beach Area, this region includes the cities of New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, and Oak Hill; also the unincorporated areas close to these cities.

West Volusia - also called Saint John's River Country (named for the Saint John's River which lies nearby), this region includes the cities of Barberville, Debary, DeLand, De Leon Springs, Deltona, Glenwood, Lake Helen, Orange City, Pierson, and Seville; as well as the surrounding unincorporated areas close to these cities. Deltona is the largest city in Volusia County.

Jim Tobin serves all of Volusia and Flagler Counties, and can be reached at 386.405.4411.

The Volusia County Zip Codes served are: 32110, 32114, 32117, 32118, 32119, 32124, 32127, 32128, 32129, 32136, 32137, 32164, 32174 & 32176.