If you’re staring at a map of the Sunshine State and trying to pinpoint exactly where the "Village by the Sea" sits, you aren't alone. Geography in South Florida gets a little blurry once you hit the coast. Delray Beach, Florida is in Palm Beach County. It’s nestled right between the glitz of Boca Raton and the laid-back charm of Boynton Beach.
Honestly, knowing the county is just the start. Most people asking what county is delray beach florida in are usually trying to figure out if it’s part of the massive Miami sprawl or something a bit more manageable.
Delray isn't just a random spot on the GPS. It’s the heart of the "Gold Coast." This means it shares the same tax codes, school districts, and palm-lined government jurisdiction as West Palm Beach.
Palm Beach County: The Bigger Picture
Palm Beach County is huge. Like, surprisingly huge. It’s actually the largest county in Florida by total land area if you count the water, covering over 2,000 square miles. When you’re in Delray Beach, you’re part of a massive ecosystem that includes everything from the Everglades out west to the multi-million dollar estates on the Atlantic.
The county was carved out of Dade County back in 1909. Before that, everything from Miami up to Jupiter was just one giant, swampy mess. Delray—originally called Linton—was just a tiny farming settlement back then. Now? It’s a crown jewel of the county’s tourism and real estate economy.
Why the County Line Matters
Why do people care so much? Taxes and rules, basically. Living in Delray Beach means you’re under the watchful eye of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (if you’re in the unincorporated parts) and the Palm Beach County School District.
If you’re moving here, you'll quickly realize that "county life" revolves around the commute. Delray is about 20 minutes south of the county seat in West Palm Beach and about 30 minutes north of the Broward County line. It’s perfectly centered.
A Quick History of the "Village by the Sea"
Delray Beach didn't start with high-end bistros and $600,000 condos. In the late 1800s, it was mostly pineapple fields. A guy named William Linton (hence the original name) bought a bunch of land hoping to start a farming utopia. A bad freeze in 1898 killed the crops, and Linton bailed.
The name "Delray" actually comes from a neighborhood in Detroit. Local settlers renamed the town, and eventually, it merged with the neighboring beach town to become the Delray Beach we know today.
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Today, the city is a wild mix of history and modern flash. You've got the Old School Square right downtown—which used to be an actual school—sitting just blocks away from the ultra-modern Seagate Hotel. It’s this weird, beautiful tension between preserving the 1920s Florida vibe and leaning into the 2026 luxury boom.
Current Market Realities: 2026 and Beyond
If you're looking at property here, the market in early 2026 is... interesting. Median home prices in Delray Beach have settled around the $600,000 mark, though you can find small condos for much less if you head west toward Military Trail.
- East of US-1: This is the "old money" and high-end vacation rental territory. Think $1M+ bungalows.
- Pineapple Grove: The artsy, walkable district just north of Atlantic Avenue.
- West Delray: More suburban, full of gated communities and the famous Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.
The city has grown to over 70,000 residents recently. People are flocking here because it feels like a "real town" compared to the concrete canyons of Fort Lauderdale or the strip-mall vibes of other South Florida suburbs.
Is it part of Miami?
Technically, no. Geographically, sort of. Delray Beach is part of the Miami Metropolitan Area, but locals would probably scoff if you called them Miamians. The vibe is totally different. It’s slower. It’s more "flip-flops and craft beer" than "high heels and nightclubs."
Real Tips for Navigating Delray Beach
If you're visiting or moving to this part of Palm Beach County, here is the ground-level truth:
- Atlantic Avenue is the heartbeat. If you aren't on "The Ave," you aren't in the thick of it. This is where the 100-foot Christmas tree goes up every year.
- Parking is a sport. Don't try to find a spot on the street during a Friday night. Use the garages near Old School Square or prepare for a long walk.
- The "Yellow" Hotel. You can’t miss The Colony Hotel & Cabana Club. It’s been there since 1926 and is the most iconic landmark in the city. Al Capone reportedly stayed there.
- West vs. East. The further east you go (toward the ocean), the more expensive things get. The further west you go (toward the Turnpike), the more family-oriented and residential it becomes.
Key Facts About Delray Beach, Florida
- County: Palm Beach County
- Founded: 1894 (as Linton)
- Population: ~70,140 (2024 estimates)
- Famous For: Atlantic Avenue, tennis championships, and the Morikami Gardens.
- Nearby Cities: Boca Raton (South), Boynton Beach (North).
Delray Beach is more than just a coordinate in Palm Beach County. It’s a city that managed to survive the 1926 land bust, the 1928 hurricane, and the "pill mill" reputation of the early 2000s to become one of the most desirable zip codes in the country.
If you’re planning a move, check the local Palm Beach County property appraiser website for the most accurate tax data. For those just visiting, grab a seat at a sidewalk cafe on Atlantic Ave and just watch the world go by. That’s the real Delray experience.
Moving Forward with Your Search
Now that you know exactly where Delray Beach sits on the map, you can dive into the specifics of the local neighborhoods. Look into the Pineapple Grove Arts District if you want culture, or check out the Lake Ida area if you’re looking for a quiet, leafy street that still feels like "Old Florida."