DeSoto County, Mississippi
Encyclopedia : D : DE : DES : DeSoto County, Mississippi
DeSoto County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of 2000, the population was 107,199. 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.
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.Geographic features
- Mississippi River
- Horn Lake
- Coldwater River
- Arkabutla Lake
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Shelby County, Tennessee - north
- Crittenden County, Arkansas - west
- Tunica County - southwest
- Tate County - south
- Marshall County - east
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 107,199 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.
Cities and towns
External links
- [DeSotoMS.com], the official county government website
- [DeSoto County Economic Development Council] official website
- [The DeSoto Times] online edition, the daily county newspaper based in Hernando
- [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)
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)
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