City Population: 70,150
Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in southern Palm Beach County, Delray Beach is rich in history and cultural diversity. This “Village by the Sea,” which began as an agricultural community in the 1890s, welcomes families who are seeking a place to call home and invites visitors to experience the ultimate vacation.
Within 16 square miles, Delray Beach embraces a permanent population of 70,150. It is a regional destination that draws visitors to its bustling downtown and dynamic arts scene. The Pineapple Grove Arts District is a walkable neighborhood known for its colorful murals, public art, galleries, and art studios, blending culture, dining, shopping, and design. (Find the whimsical pineapple mural at 8 N.E. Second Ave.) Nearby, the Cornell Art Museum is housed in the 1913 Delray Elementary School building on the Old School Square campus. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is home to rotating exhibitions, tea ceremonies performed monthly (October through May), a collection includes more than 7,000 Japanese art objects and artifacts, and educational programs.
Scenic vistas complement charming neighborhoods, making this a desirable bike- and pedestrian-friendly community. The city’s 40-plus parks and recreation facilities include waterfront locations, a municipal beach, the 505 Teen Center and Hobbit Skate Park. Ten parks incorporate pollinator gardens, and five more are planned.
The Delray Beach Tennis Center, located in the heart of downtown, is a full-service public facility with 14 clay courts, four hard courts, eight pickleball courts and an 8,200-seat stadium. The tennis center’s second location—the Delray Swim & Tennis Club on Jaeger Drive—offers 24 clay courts and a clubhouse with a pro shop and locker rooms. The Delray Beach Golf Club, a city-owned, 18-hole, par-72 course designed by legendary architect Donald Ross, opened in 1926, and is part of the Florida Historic Golf Trail. (A $29 million renovation is expected to be completed by November 2026.)
Renewal and redevelopment efforts in Delray Beach have resulted in several national accolades, thanks to the city’s efforts to maintain the town’s historic and cultural relevance while continually updating and modernizing services. Access to public transportation is available throughout the city, and international airports are just minutes away. Public parking garages and surface lots are conveniently located in the downtown area, and the city provides free electric-vehicle charging stations. A free, on-demand transportation service, Freebee, covers most downtown locations east of I-95 to A1A, and Gulfstream Boulevard to Southwest 10th Street. Brightline and the Florida East Coast Railway operate on the Florida East Coast Railway corridor, which parallels US 1 or Dixie Highway in most places. The Palm Tran Tri-Rail system station is at 345 S. Congress Ave.
Delray Beach hosts exceptional special events throughout the year, including championship tennis, holiday celebrations, and a long-running Saturday morning GreenMarket in Old School Square from late October through mid-May.
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