Edgewater is a city in southeastern Volusia County, Florida, situated on the western shore of the Indian River Lagoon and immediately south of New Smyrna Beach. It lies roughly midway between Daytona Beach to the north and Titusville to the south, within the Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach metropolitan area and a short drive east of Interstate 95. The city's name reflects its defining feature: a long frontage along the Indian River and the adjacent Mosquito Lagoon, part of the biologically rich Indian River Lagoon estuary system that shapes local recreation and scenery. The community grew as a low-density, largely residential place oriented toward the water rather than a traditional commercial downtown. Much of Edgewater's housing consists of single-family homes, many on canal lots that provide direct boating access to the lagoon, along with inland subdivisions and some manufactured-home communities. The population of roughly 23,000 residents leans toward retirees and long-time locals, lending the city a quiet, unhurried atmosphere distinct from the busier beach towns to the north. Edgewater's economy is small and service-oriented, with many residents commuting to New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach, and the surrounding region for employment. The city holds a state Blueway Community designation, a recognition of its network of paddling trails and public water access. Daily life revolves around boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and the city's neighborhood parks. For homebuyers, Edgewater offers a more tranquil and affordable alternative to oceanfront New Smyrna Beach while keeping the coast, shopping, and commuting corridors close at hand. Its combination of lagoon frontage, established residential character, and proximity to the larger Daytona Beach metro area makes it a practical choice for retirees, boaters, and anyone seeking a slower pace in east-central Florida.