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City of Delray Beach ( Palm Beach County )

Delray Beach is a coastal city located in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It is situated on the east coast of Florida, approximately halfway between West Palm Beach and Boca Raton. With a population of around 70,000 people, Delray Beach is one of the larger cities in the area.

One of the most notable features of Delray Beach is its beautiful beaches. The city has over two miles of public beachfront, which is popular with tourists and locals alike. The beach is known for its clear blue water, soft sand, and ample opportunities for water activities like swimming, sunbathing, and fishing.

In addition to its beaches, Delray Beach is known for its vibrant downtown area. The city’s downtown is home to a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, making it a popular destination for both residents and visitors. The area is particularly well-known for its arts scene, with numerous galleries and studios showcasing the work of local artists.

Population:
  • Population (2023): 67,563
  • Median age (2022): 50.7
  • Residents under 18 (2023): 13.2%
  • Residents over 65 (2023): 27.4%
  • Population by sex (2023): 49% male, 51% female
  • Married population (2023): 44.4%
  • Population change (2010 – 2020): Appx. 10% Increase
  • Homeowners and renters: 64.7% homeowners, 35.3% renters (2022)
  • Poverty rate compared to the US national average (2022): 12.3% vs the average of 11.5%
Demographics (2022):
  • White Non Hispanic – 52.6%
  • Black Non Hispanic – 29.7%
  • White Hispanic – 5%
  • Multiracial Hispanic – 4%
  • Multiracial Non Hispanic – 3%
  • Asian – 2.19%
Median Listing Home Price
(10/25)
Median List price per sq ft
(10/25)
Median Home Sale Price
(10/25)
Median Rent
(12/25)
5 year price change
(‘19 - 11/24)
300K$246309K$2,850Appx same
*Prices shown are based only on activity for the dates specified
Income:
  • Median household income: $76,558 (2022)
  • Avg. per capita income: $52,879 (2022)
Tax:
  • County property tax rate: 1.12% of a property’s assessed fair market value (2023)
  • Combined state and county sales tax rate: 7% (2023)
Political affiliation based on the 2024 election results ( Palm Beach County):
  • Democrat – 49.77%
  • Republican – 49.01%
  • Other – 1.22%
Cost of Living:
  • Average cost of living compared to the US national average (2023): 5.2% Higher
  • Cost of housing compared to the Florida average (2023): N/A
  • Cost of food compared to the US national average (2023): 5.9% Higher
  • Cost of healthcare compared to the US national average (2023): Appx. same
  • Cost of utilities compared to the US national average (2023): 3% Lower
  • Cost of transportation compared to the US national average (2023): 25.2% Higher

Largest 3 employers: Delray Medical Center, City of Delray Beach, and Publix Super Markets

School ratings: Delray Beach has several highly rated public schools, including Morikami Park Elementary School, Atlantic Community High School, and Omni Middle School.

Coastal: Yes

Average low and high temperature: Low 21°C, High 25.6 C

Fun facts: Delray Beach was named the Most Fun Small Town in America by Rand McNally and USA Today in 2012. The city is also known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, with several festivals and events throughout the year.

Location and Amenities:

 

Highways:
  • Hwy I – 95: 9 min ( 3.9 miles )
Airports:
  • Palm Beach International Airport: 20 min ( 18.5 miles )
  • Fort Lauderdale International Airport: 31 min ( 32.4 miles )
Hospitals:
  • Bethesda Hospital East ( recipient of the 2022, 2023 50 Best hospitals for Surgical Excellence Award ): 8 min ( 3.3 miles )
  • HCA Florida JFK Hospital in Atlantis ( recipient of the 2023 Patient Safety Excellence Award 14 min ( 12 miles )
Universities and Colleges:
  • Florida Atlantic University ( Boca Raton ): 8 min ( 6.8 miles )
  • Keiser University ( Fort Lauderdale Campus ): 23 min ( 6.8 miles )
Shopping:
  • Tanger Outlets ( Palm Beach ): 20 min ( 20 miles )
  • Sawgrass Mills Mall ( Sunrise ): 40 mim (35 miles )
Major cities:
  • Boca Raton is appx. 9 miles to the south
  • Fort Lauderdale is appx. 20 – 25 miles to the south
  • West Palm Beach is appx. 20 – 25 miles to the north.
Amenities and Attractions:
  • Atlantic Avenue shopping and dining district.
  • Delray Affair: Annual fi ne art and craft show
  • The Downtown Delray Beach Festival of Arts: Handcraft artwork, glass, photography, mixed media, painting, fi bre, jewellery and more
  • Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens: A center for Japanese art and culture
  • Wakodahatchee Wetlands: 50 acres of recreation wetlands open to the public with a three – quarter mile boardwalk. It is also part of the Great Florida Birding Trail
Short Term Rental Regulations:

** All short term rental operations in Florida must obtain a business license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ( DBPR ) and a Florida Department of Revenue Certificate of Sales and Use. ** Short term rental regulations can be subject to change and should always be confirmed with city / towns or county departments.

County (Tourist / Transient) Tax YES6%
City/ Town Fees YES
Property Inspection YES
Land use permit YES
Restrictions YES*see below
*Restrictions:
  • Short-term rules and regulations: Short-term rentals are allowed in Delray Beach, but there are regulations in place regarding permits and licensing.
  • Random housing inspections are conducted.

For more information visit – delraybeachfl.org