Deerfield Beach, city, Broward County, southeastern Florida, on the Atlantic Ocean; settled 1890s, incorporated as a city 1925. It is a tourist, retirement, and agricultural center, located in an area that produces citrus fruits and vegetables. Construction is an important industry as well. The community, known as Deerfield until 1931, is named for the deer that once were plentiful in the region. Population 39,193 (1980); 46,325 (1990); 64,583 (2000).