Housing in Pierson consists largely of single-family homes on rural and semi-rural lots, reflecting the town's agricultural setting rather than a suburban subdivision pattern. Many residents own their homes, and the community has a relaxed, spread-out feel with properties ranging from older Florida homes to newer manufactured and site-built houses. The town's small commercial core along the main highway serves everyday needs, while larger shopping and services are a short drive south to DeLand or east toward Daytona Beach.

Pierson offers a quiet, small-town, agricultural way of life. The community's identity is rooted in its fern farms and vegetable operations, and many families have lived in the area for generations. Local churches, school events, and the Town Hall anchor community life, and the town's compact size fosters a close-knit, neighborly atmosphere. Residents enjoy a slower pace while remaining within driving distance of DeLand's historic downtown and Stetson University, as well as the beaches of Volusia County.

Pierson is part of the Volusia County School District, and the town is home to Pierson Elementary School, which serves local students in the elementary grades. The historic 1926 school building in town now houses the Pierson Town Center and municipal offices. Older students attend middle and high schools elsewhere in Volusia County, with bus transportation provided by the district, and families have access to the district's full range of academic and extracurricular programs.

Pierson sits along U.S. Highway 17, the main north-south route through northwestern Volusia County, linking the town to DeLand and the St. Johns River communities to the south and the Palatka area to the north. The town's rural road network connects to the broader Volusia and Lake county highway system, and commuters can reach Interstate 4 and Interstate 95 by way of DeLand. The town's location provides a quiet setting with straightforward access to the region's larger employment, shopping, and medical centers.

Outdoor recreation around Pierson centers on the region's lakes, rivers, and forests. Lake George and the St. Johns River lie to the west and north, offering fishing and boating, and the Ocala National Forest is within driving distance. The town's agricultural landscape provides scenic rural roads for cycling and driving, and residents can reach DeLand's parks, cultural events, and nearby freshwater springs for day trips.