DeSoto County, Mississippi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| DeSoto County, Mississippi | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Mississippi |
|
 Mississippi's location in the USA |
|
| Statistics | |
| Founded | February 9, 1836 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Hernando |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,287 km² (497 mi²) 1,238 km² (478 mi²) 49 km² (19 mi²), 3.81% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
107,199 87/km² |
| Website: www.desotoms.com | |
DeSoto County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. DeSoto County is part of the Memphis metropolitan area which extends into three states (TN, AR & MS). As of 2000, the population was 107,199. By 2006 the county grew to a population of 144,706. The county — along with its county seat, Hernando — is named in honor of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, who allegedly died there in May 1542, although it is more accepted that he died near Lake City, Arkansas. Located adjacent to Memphis, Tennessee, DeSoto County in the last 20 years has become among the fastest growing counties in the United States. Its fast-paced growth in its largest city (Southaven) and other areas is attributed to the middle-class flight out of Memphis' central city, as well as the massive casino/resort complex located in neighboring Tunica County, Mississippi (the third largest gambling district in the United States).
Contents |
[edit] Geography
DeSoto County is the most northwestern of Mississippi's 82 counties, in a corner that borders Tennessee and Arkansas. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,287 km² (497 mi²). 1,238 km² (478 mi²) of it is land and 49 km² (19 mi²) of it (3.81%) is water.
[edit] Geographic features
- Mississippi River
- Horn Lake
- Coldwater River
- Arkabutla Lake
- Mississippi Delta Bluffs
[edit] Major highways
Interstate 55
Interstate 69 (open Oct. 2006)
Interstate 269 (proposed)
U.S. Route 51
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 78 (Interstate 22)
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Shelby County, Tennessee - north
- Crittenden County, Arkansas - west
- Tunica County - southwest
- Tate County - south
- Marshall County - east
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 24,751 |
|
|
| 1910 | 23,130 | -6.5% | |
| 1920 | 24,359 | 5.3% | |
| 1930 | 25,438 | 4.4% | |
| 1940 | 26,663 | 4.8% | |
| 1950 | 24,599 | -7.7% | |
| 1960 | 23,891 | -2.9% | |
| 1970 | 35,885 | 50.2% | |
| 1980 | 53,930 | 50.3% | |
| 1990 | 67,910 | 25.9% | |
| 2000 | 107,199 | 57.9% | |
| Est. 2006 | 144,706 | 35.0% | |
As of the census² of 2005 estimate, there were 137,004 people, 38,792 households, and 30,102 families residing in the county. The population density was 87/km² (224/mi²). There were 40,795 housing units at an average density of 33/km² (85/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 85.78% White, 11.40% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.13% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 2.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 38,792 households out of which 39.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.70% were married couples living together, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.40% were non-families. 18.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.20% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 32.70% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 8.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $48,206, and the median income for a family was $53,590. Males had a median income of $38,032 versus $26,474 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,468. 7.10% of the population and 5.60% of families were below the poverty line. 8.30% are under the age of 18 and 9.50% are 65 or older.
[edit] Cities and towns
(now all Memphis suburbs)
[edit] External links
- DeSotoMS.com, the official county government website
- DeSoto County Economic Development Council official website
- Desoto County Museum, DeSoto County Historic Museum in Hernando
- The DeSoto Times online edition, the daily county newspaper based in Hernando (site under construction)
- The DeSoto County Tribune online edition, the weekly county newspaper based in Olive Branch
- The DeSoto Appeal online edition, a community edition of the Memphis, Tennessee-based Commercial Appeal
- An article from the Clarion-Ledger, providing insight into the contrasts amid DeSoto County's growth (22 December 1999)
- GoDesoto.com, a community information website
[edit] Suggested reading
- Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920, Thorndale, William, and Dollarhide, William; Copyright 1987. (Historic state maps including evolution of DeSoto County)
