quick facts
DESOTO COUNTY
DeSoto County, Mississippi is in the uppermost northwest portion of the State of Mississippi. The county is bordered on the north by Shelby County, Tennessee, to the south by Tate County, to the east by Marshall County, and by Tunica County to the west. The 2010 U.S. Census estimated the population of DeSoto County to be 161,252 people. In 2000, the population of the county was 107,199 people based on the U.S. Census. There are four cities and one town in the county: Hernando, Horn Lake, Olive Branch, Southaven, and Walls. Hernando serves as the county seat for DeSoto County.
Several various major highways and interstates, including the future site of Interstate 69 run through the county. DeSoto County is an ideal transportation and logistics epicenter due to the major interstate infrastructure that is located in the county, and the proximity to the Memphis Metropolitan area lends a hand in the county being a vital transportation and logistics center. Interstate 55 provides a north/south access to the Memphis Metropolitan area. U.S. Highway 78, designated Interstate 22, is an access point for transportation in the eastern portion of the county. Additional highways providing transportation access in the county include U.S. Highway 61 and 51 and Mississippi State Highways 301, 302, 304, and 305. The integrated highway system the county has to link the county with the rest of the nation provides a competitive economic advantage and greater access to employment opportunities.
The county has been able to build on their asset-location by creating a tourism industry. Multiple facilities have been built to offer residents and visitors activities in the county. From the civic center and county museum to theater and performing arts, DeSoto County has numerous amenities to offer people. The county has held on to the small town charm while offering big city attributes. Various recreational opportunities exist, too. Golfing, hiking, fishing, hunting, and shopping at the 447,000 square foot regional mall, Southaven Towne Center, are recreational activities people can enjoy while in DeSoto County.
Total Population
183,220
DeSoto County
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
DeSoto County
High School Graduate or Higher
91.10%
DeSoto County
Civilian Labor Force
96,028
DeSoto County
DEMOGRAPHIC & ECONOMIC PROFILE
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto explored North Mississippi in the early 1540s. During his exploration he traveled what is known today as DeSoto County. Hence, the Spanish explorers’ expedition, the county seat, Hernando, is named in his honor. The travels of Hernando de Soto included meeting with Mississippi Indians that laid claim to the land. The tribe claiming the territory disappeared allowing the Chickasaw Indians access to the region. In 1816, the United States government summoned the Chickasaws for negotiations to obtain the land. The Treaty of Pontotoc was the results of the negotiations with the Chickasaws in 1832. Over 6,442,000 acres were surveyed and divided into sections. Majority of the land (2,422,400acres) was assigned to the Chickasaws; the other portion was sold by the government (400,000 acres) at a public sale.
By 1836, the Mississippi Legislature created 10 new counties that included DeSoto County. The borders of the county stretched from the Tennessee state line on the north to the Panola County line on the south. The Mississippi River and Tunica County were the counties borders to the west, and Marshall County was the eastern border for the county. The current county lines were resurveyed in 1838, two years after the initial counties designations.
During the late 1800s to early 1900s cotton was the dominant crop until farmers realized the importance of diversified crops. Soybeans and wheat were added to farmer crops. Many farmers began dairy farms, which soon led to DeSoto County becoming a leading dairy county in the State. The late 1970s brought a new era for the county, small farming operations began to be taken over by residential subdivisions. The next 40 years in DeSoto County have seen exponential population growth. From 1970 to 2010 the population grew by 125,367, bringing the total to 161,252 people. Since the 1970s the county’s economic force has changed from agriculture to manufacturing; now the retail industry and manufacturing industries are the major industries in DeSoto County. Manufacturing and retail jobs are now dominating the economy of DeSoto County. DeSoto County is seeing a shift from a rural to an urban economy.
DEMOGRAPHIC & ECONOMIC PROFILE
POPULATION TRENDS
The 2010 U.S. Census estimated the population of DeSoto County to be 161,252 people. The county has 107,199 residents in 2000 according to the U.S. Census. Over the ten year time span 54,053 people increased the population of DeSoto County. The new population equaled over 5,400 new residents to the county each year.
AGE DISTRIBUTION
The largest age demographic in DeSoto County is 10 to 14 years old age range. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 13,544 people or 8.4% of the county is between that age range. Further, the median age of residents living in the county is 35.0 years old.
EDUCATION
There is only one public school district in DeSoto County. DeSoto County School District is the public school district for all five of the municipalities in the county. The 2011 Mississippi Assessment and Accountability Reporting System reported that the school district had a total enrollment of 31,916 students.
Additionally, the county has a regional post-secondary campus in Southaven housing the University of Mississippi and Northwest Mississippi Community College. The campus has nearly 1,000 students enrolled per semester (University of Mississippi DeSoto Center). Northwest Mississippi Community College offers a two-plus-two program in partnership with the University of Mississippi at the DeSoto Center. This partnership allows students to receive their degree at the DeSoto Campus.
POVERTY
Based on the U.S. Census, 10% of the people in DeSoto County were living in poverty. Of the children 18 and under 16% lived below the poverty level, and 6% of 65 year olds and over living in the county were poverty stricken. Of the 43,830 families living in DeSoto County, 8% of the families were living in poverty. Twenty-three percent of families with female householders fell below the poverty guidelines.
% People Living in Poverty
% Families Living in Poverty
INCOME
PER CAPITA PERSONAL INCOME
The 2010 per capita personal income for DeSoto County was $32,261. The PCPI for the county ranked number 15 out of the 82 counties in the State of Mississippi and was 104 percent of the state average. The state average was $31,071, and the national PCPI average was $39,937.
INCOME
The median income of households in DeSoto County was $59,418. Seven percent of households had income was below $15,000. Also, the 2010 U.S. Census reported 5% of the households in DeSoto County had an income of $100,000 or more. Below is the total household income for residents of DeSoto County: