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DeSoto, Texas
City of DeSoto
Flag of DeSoto, Texas
Flag
Official logo of DeSoto, Texas
Motto(s): 
"Live, Work, Play in DeSoto"
Location of DeSoto in Dallas County, Texas
Location of DeSoto in Dallas County, Texas
Country  United States of America
State  Texas
County Dallas
Incorporated 1949
Government
 • Type Council-manager
Area
 • Total 21.67 sq mi (56.12 km2)
 • Land 21.63 sq mi (56.03 km2)
 • Water 0.03 sq mi (0.09 km2)
Elevation
666 ft (203 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 56,145
 • Density 2,595.34/sq mi (1,002.07/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (Central)
ZIP codes
75115, 75123
Area code(s) 214, 469, 945, 972
FIPS code 48-20092
GNIS feature ID 1373357
Website The City of DeSoto, Texas

DeSoto is a city in Dallas County, Texas, United States. DeSoto is a suburb of Dallas and is part of the Best Southwest area, which includes DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and Lancaster.

History

The area was first settled in 1847, making it one of the oldest communities in North Texas. A post office was established in 1881, and the settlement was named DeSoto in honor of Thomas Hernando DeSoto Stewart, a doctor dedicated to the community. By 1885, DeSoto was home to around 120 people, a cotton gin, and a general store. Soon after, the population declined to below 50. In 1930, 97 people were living in the community, with several businesses.

De soto texas 1
DeSoto circa 1911

After World War II, DeSoto and surrounding areas began to grow. To improve the inadequate water distribution system, residents felt the need to incorporate the town. On February 17, 1949, a petition signed by 42 eligible voters was presented to the Dallas County judge requesting an election for incorporation. The vote took place on March 2. Of the 52 people who cast ballots, 50 voted in favor of incorporation and two were opposed. On March 3, 1949, the results were entered into the records of the Dallas County Commissioners Court, thereby creating the City of DeSoto. The new city was less than one square mile in size. On March 15, Wayne A. Chowning was elected mayor along with five aldermen. The first city council meeting was held two days later.

The first census conducted after DeSoto's incorporation occurred in 1950. eight businesses and 298 people were in the city. Following a series of annexations in 1953, the city covered around 15 sq mi (39 km2). By 1960, the population had grown to 1,969. In 1970, DeSoto was home to 6,617 people and 71 businesses.

During the 1970s, continued growth brought about improvements to the municipal infrastructure, including road construction, and a new water/sewage system. Industrial, commercial, and residential construction also increased. On October 26, 1974, an election was held to determine the status of Woodland Hills, a small, incorporated community located northwest of DeSoto. The result was 221 votes in favor of a merger with DeSoto and 219 opposed. Woodland Hills had a population of 366 at the time of annexation. The rapid growth that began in the early 1970s was sustained throughout the 1980s; 1980 census figures put the city's population at slightly over 15,000. By 1984, DeSoto had a total of 360 businesses, up from 168 in 1980.

The population surpassed 30,000 in 1990. City development progressed in the following years. A primary example of this was the creation of DeSoto's Town Center. Officials converted an abandoned strip center located at one of the city's main intersections into a unique central business district. Since its opening, the Town Center has become an anchor of the community, housing city hall, the public library, a civic center, recreation cente, and a 180-seat auditorium and outdoor amphitheater.

Throughout the 1990s, DeSoto experienced a significant change in the demographic composition of the city. In the 1990 census, Whites comprised 75.97% of the city's population, but that figure had declined to 48.83% in the 2000 census, and 17.4% non-Hispanic White by 2010. By contrast, the African American population grew rapidly. In 2000, African Americans were 45.53% of the population, up from 20.83% in 1990. Hispanics accounted for 4.98% of the population in 1990 and 7.30% in 2000. With roughly 45,500 residents as of 2005, DeSoto is the largest and most diverse city in southwest Dallas County.

On June 11, 2006, the National Civic League named DeSoto an "All-America City". The All-America City Award is the nation's oldest community-recognition program and recognizes communities whose citizens work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon results.

A 2015 article related a growing trend of largely middle class and educated African Americans moving to DeSoto.

Geography

DeSoto is located at 32°35′57″N 96°51′32″W / 32.59917°N 96.85889°W / 32.59917; -96.85889 (32.599286, −96.858828).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.6 sq mi (56 km2), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1950 298
1960 1,969 560.7%
1970 6,617 236.1%
1980 15,538 134.8%
1990 30,544 96.6%
2000 37,646 23.3%
2010 49,047 30.3%
2020 56,145 14.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
DeSoto city, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000 Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 16,818 8,542 5,640 44.67% 17.42% 10.05%
Black or African American alone (NH) 17,067 33,337 38,971 45.34% 67.97% 69.41%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 99 111 121 0.26% 0.23% 0.22%
Asian alone (NH) 479 446 487 1.27% 0.91% 0.87%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 12 22 13 0.03% 0.04% 0.02%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 35 57 229 0.09% 0.12% 0.41%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 386 618 1,367 1.03% 1.26% 2.43%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2,750 5,914 9,317 7.30% 12.06% 16.59%
Total 37,646 49,047 56,145 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, 56,145 people, 19,041 households, and 13,093 families resided in the city.

Education

Most of DeSoto lies within the DeSoto Independent School District. The district has 12 schools (seven elementary schools, three middle schools, a high school, and a freshman campus) that serve about 8,000 students. The district's mascot is the eagle. A small portion of the city is located in the Duncanville Independent School District. Another small portion is in the Dallas Independent School District.

Dallas County residents are zoned to Dallas College (formerly Dallas County Community College).

Several private and parochial schools are in or near the city.

Media

The Focus Daily News is a daily newspaper published in DeSoto, covering Dallas County. It is owned by Publishers Newspapers. It was founded in 1987, and has a daily circulation of 28,065 and a Sunday circulation of 36,297 as of 2012.

Transportation

Major highways

Air

The city of DeSoto jointly owns the DeSoto Heliport with the Texas Department of Transportation and the DeSoto Economic Development Corporation. The facility is operated by SKY Helicopters.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: DeSoto (Texas) para niños

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