DeSoto, Texas

DeSoto is a city in Dallas County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 49,047.[6]

DeSoto, Texas
City
City of DeSoto
Flag
Motto(s): 
"Live, Work, Play in DeSoto"[1]
Location of DeSoto in Dallas County, Texas
Coordinates: 32°35′57″N 96°51′32″W
Country United States of America
State Texas
County Dallas
Incorporated1949
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • City CouncilMayor Curtistene McCowan
Virgil Helm
Kay Brown-Patrick
Andre Byrd
Dick North
Candice Quarles
Kenzie Moore
 • City ManagerVacant
Area
 • Total21.67 sq mi (56.12 km2)
 • Land21.63 sq mi (56.03 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.09 km2)
Elevation
666 ft (203 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total49,047
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
52,988
 • Density2,449.41/sq mi (945.70/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (Central)
ZIP codes
75115, 75123
Area code(s)214, 469, 972
FIPS code48-20092[4]
GNIS feature ID1373357[5]
WebsiteThe City of DeSoto, Texas

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 approximately 120 people, a cotton gin, and a general store. Soon after, the population declined to below 50. In 1930, there were 97 people living in the community and several businesses.

DeSoto circa 1911

After World War II, DeSoto and surrounding areas began to grow. In order 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 2 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. There were 298 people and eight businesses in the city. Following a series of annexations in 1953, the city covered approximately 15 square miles (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 and the recreation center. There is also a 180-seat auditorium and outdoor amphitheater.

DeSoto's All-America City logo

Throughout the 1990s, DeSoto experienced a significant change in the demographic composition of the city. In the 1990 census, whites constituted 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 approximately 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.

In 2015, a viral article was published about the growing trend of largely upper middle class and college-educated African-Americans moving to Desoto and the other Best Southwest communities.[7]

Geography

DeSoto is located at 32°35′57″N 96°51′32″W (32.599286, −96.858828).[8]

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

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1950298—
19601,969560.7%
19706,617236.1%
198015,538134.8%
199030,54496.6%
200037,64623.3%
201049,04730.3%
Est. 201952,988[3]8.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
DeSoto was named an "All America City" in 2006

As of the 2010 Census, DeSoto had a population of 51,102. 68.6% of the population was Black, 17.4% was non-Hispanic white, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% Asian, 1.9% from two or more races. 12.1% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino origin.[10]

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 37,646 people, 13,709 households, and 10,459 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,744.5 people per square mile (673.5/km2). There were 14,069 housing units at an average density of 652.0 per square mile (251.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 48.83% White, 45.53% Black, 0.31% Native American, 1.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.56% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.30% of the population.

There were 13,709 households, out of which 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.7% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $57,699, and the median income for a family was $66,986. Males had a median income of $41,847 versus $33,179 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,650. About 4.1% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Map of DeSoto's six council districts (places)

DeSoto is a home-rule city with a council–manager form of government. Under this type of local government, the day-to-day management of the city is directed by a city manager. The city manager is appointed by the city council and serves as chief administrative officer for the city. The city charter states this position will execute the laws and administer the government of the city. Dr. Tarron J. Richardson is the current city manager of DeSoto.

The city council consists of the mayor and six council members. The mayor represents the city as a whole and six council members represent particular districts (places) within the city. All are elected citywide for a term of three years with two-term term limits.

Current City Council Members[11]
Place 1 Curtistene McCowan (Mayor)
Place 2 Kay Brown-Patrick
Place 3 Nicole Raphiel
Place 4 Andre' Byrd, Sr.
Place 5 Dr. Dinah Marks
Place 6 Candice Quarles
Place 7 Kenzie Moore (Mayor Pro Tem)
DeSoto entrance marker at I-35E and Pleasant Run Rd.

Mayors
Term Mayor
1949–1953 Wayne A. Chowning
1953 Willis Dawson
1953–1955 Floyd Huffstutler
1955–1959 J. B. Wadlington
1959–1963 E. G. Anderson
1963–1965 John Campbell
1965–1967 Les C. Zeiger
1967–1969 L. Carroll Moseley
1969–1971 H. H. Chandler
1971–1972 Roy Orr
1972–1973 Robert Nunneley
1973–1977 Charles Harwell
1977–1979 Durward Davis
1979–1983 Willis Russell
1983–1987 Ernest Roberts
1987–1995 David Doyle
1995–2001 Richard Rozier
2001–2007 Michael Hurtt
2007–2010 Bobby Waddle
2010–2016 Carl Sherman
2016–present Curtistene McCowan

City Managers
Term City Manager
1964–1970 Dewayne White
1970–1973 Jim Pratt
1973–1977 Joel Larkin
1977–1981 Dorothy Talley
1981–1984 Cliff Johnson
1984–1985 Jim McAlister
1985–1987 Kerry Sweatt
1987–1992 Mark Sowa
1992–1993 Ed Brady (interim)
1993–1994 Gary Whittle (interim)
1994–1996 Ron Holifield
1996–1997 Bill Lindley (interim)
1997–2011 Jim Baugh
2011–2019 Dr. Tarron J. Richardson
2019–present M. Renee Johnson (interim)

Education

Most of DeSoto lies within the DeSoto Independent School District. The district has 12 schools (7 Elementary, 3 Middle, a High School and Freshman Campus) that serve approximately 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.

There are several private and parochial schools in or near the city.

Transportation

Major highways

Air

The city of DeSoto jointly owns the DeSoto Heliport together with the Texas Department of Transportation and the DeSoto Economic Development Corporation.[12] The facility is operated by SKY Helicopters.[12][13]

Media

The Focus Daily News is a daily newspaper published in DeSoto, Texas, covering Dallas County. It is owned by Publishers Newspapers.[14] It was founded in 1987, and has a daily circulation of 28,065 and a Sunday circulation of 36,297.[15]

The DeSoto city logo was adopted on August 26, 1976. The logo, a large "D", has the head of an eagle in the middle (the school district's mascot, see above) outlined on the inside. It is featured prominently on the city flag, water towers, and municipal government documents.

gollark: I see.
gollark: "Responsive" in what sense?
gollark: <@270210946201288714> What is your actual *pr*oble*m* with it?
gollark: Why do you like it, I mean?
gollark: Why not?

References
  1. "The City of DeSoto, Texas". The City of DeSoto, Texas. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): DeSoto city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  7. "Affluent African-Americans Flock to DeSoto". nbcdfw.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2012-11-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. City of Desoto – City Council. Retrieved 4 July 2006.
  12. Epstein, Curt (8 October 2014). "New Heliport Opens in Texas". Aviation International News. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  13. "DeSoto Heliport". SKY Helicopters. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  14. "Focus Daily News". Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  15. "Focus Daily News". Nationwide Newspapers. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
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