DeSoto County, Florida

DeSoto County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 34,862.[1] Its county seat is Arcadia.[2]

DeSoto County
U.S. county
DeSoto County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 27°11′N 81°49′W
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedMay 19, 1887
Named forHernando de Soto
SeatArcadia
Largest cityArcadia
Area
 • Total639 sq mi (1,660 km2)
 • Land637 sq mi (1,650 km2)
 • Water2.4 sq mi (6 km2)  0.4%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
38,001
 • Density55/sq mi (21/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district17th
Websitewww.desotobocc.com
DeSoto County Courthouse

DeSoto County comprises the Arcadia, FL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the North Port-Sarasota, FL Combined Statistical Area.

History

Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, what is now DeSoto County was within the territory of the Calusa Indians.

In 1513, Ponce De Leon sailed into present-day Charlotte Harbor near the mouth of the Peace River to put in for repairs and maintenance on his ships. While there the Spanish encountered Calusa Indians and soon after an argument broke out and several died on both sides. Then the Spanish kidnapped several Calusa and departed Charlotte Harbor and sailed S.W. away from the west coast of Florida. This occurred within the original boundaries of DeSoto County.

In 1521, Ponce De Leon attempted to establish a colony at or near Charlotte Harbor but again was turned away by the Calusa who wounded him. Shortly after he died and was buried in Puerto Rico.

In 1528 the Spanish Conquistadors Panfilo De Narvaez and Cabeza De Vaca came to present-day Arcadia where they captured several Calusa Indians who told them of great quantities of gold located to the north and offered to guide them there.

In 1539 the Spanish Explorer Hernando DeSoto, for whom the county is named, anchored in Charlotte Harbor and set about to explore the region with mixed results. Eventually, he made his way up the coast to present-day Manatee County and went inland from there.

While Florida was claimed by Spain the moment it was discovered, the territory of La Florida was not formalized until 1565 with the founding of St. Augustine. At that point, what is now DeSoto County became part of La Florida. In 1763, the region became part of East Florida under British Rule. In 1783, East Florida was returned to Spain at which point today's DeSoto county was once again Spanish territory. In 1821 it became U.S. Territory.

In 1841 Camp Ogden, later Fort Ogden was built as a staging area for the U.S. Army during the 2nd Seminole War, in the southwestern part of present-day DeSoto County.

In 1870, the Joshua Creek Church and neighboring cemetery was founded.

In the 1870s John W. Whidden, a Confederate veteran and former Manatee county clerk, settled along the Joshua Creek where he founded a cattle ranch raising thousands of head of cattle. Also in the 1870s, Union veteran Robert C. Hendry took up cattle ranching on the Joshua Creek in the now-defunct settlement of Davidson.

In 1876 the Fort Ogden Post Office was founded and remains the oldest post office in the County.

DeSoto County was created in 1887 from Manatee County. It was named for Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, whose name was also honored in Hernando County.[3]

DeSoto County originally included several other present-day counties until 1921, when the Florida legislature created the following new counties: Charlotte, Glades, Hardee, and Highlands.

During World War II, DeSoto County operated the Carlstrom Field Air Base, which provided training for both American and British pilots. Twenty-three British pilots were killed while training at the base and are honored at DeSoto County's Oak Ridge Cemetery, which is located in the town of Arcadia. In 1945, the base turned out its last cadets and was decommissioned. The base was then sold to the State of Florida for one dollar and later converted into a mental health facility known as G. Pierce Wood Memorial Hospital. The hospital has since been converted into a facility for juvenile offenders. The facility was closed and is now up for sale.

On August 13, 2004, Hurricane Charley passed directly through DeSoto County. Hurricane-force winds persisted for an hour, damaging most of the structures in the county and causing some to be completely destroyed.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 639 square miles (1,660 km2), of which 637 square miles (1,650 km2) is land and 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2) (0.4%) is water.[4] The highest elevation in DeSoto County is 96 feet and is located right on the border between DeSoto County and Highlands County and is about three miles south of the border with Hardee County. The lowest elevation in DeSoto County is sea level and is located in the Peace River near its mouth.

Adjacent counties

Lakes

The largest body of water in DeSoto County not including the Peace River is a man made reservoir located within the RV Griffin Reserve and is not open to the public. The largest natural lake in DeSoto County is Sour Orange lake and is located at 27°07'23.2"N 81°39'07.0"W Lake Operation is located at 27°06'56.0"N 81°39'43.0"W Split Lake is located at 27°10'33.5"N 81°37'18.7"W Besides the Peace River, and the three above bodies of water, there are few other natural bodies of water of note, mostly small ponds and most are not named. There are about as many man made retention ponds in DeSoto County.

Rivers

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18904,944—
19008,04762.8%
191014,20076.5%
192025,43479.1%
19307,745−69.5%
19407,7920.6%
19509,24218.6%
196011,68326.4%
197013,06011.8%
198019,03945.8%
199023,86525.3%
200032,20935.0%
201034,8628.2%
Est. 201938,001[5]9.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2019[1]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 32,209 people, 10,746 households, and 7,672 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile (20/km²). There were 13,608 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 73.33% White, 12.72% Black or African American, 1.59% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 10.49% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 24.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2005 estimates showed the population as being 56.3% non-Hispanic white, 31.4% Latino, 11.8% African-American and 2.9% Native American. (Source=https://www.webcitation.org/603KzZGzZ?url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/12027.html

In 2000 there were 10,746 households out of which 26.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 21.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.70% under the age of 18, 11.20% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 20.50% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 128.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 134.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,714, and the median income for a family was $34,726. Males had a median income of $22,572 versus $20,004 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,000. About 14.20% of families and 23.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.50% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Voter Registration

According to the Secretary of State's office, Democrats are a plurality of registered voters in DeSoto County.

DeSoto County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of December 31, 2016[11]
Political Party Total Voters Percentage
Democratic 7,487 48.41%
Republican 5,134 29.92%
Independent 3,151 19.99%
Third Parties 241 1.68%
Total 16,013 100%

Statewide Elections
Presidential elections results
Previous presidential elections results[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 62.17% 6,778 34.68% 3,781 3.16% 344
2012 56.51% 5,587 42.22% 4,174 1.27% 126
2008 55.41% 5,632 43.12% 4,383 1.47% 149
2004 58.09% 5,524 41.15% 3,913 0.77% 73
2000 54.48% 4,256 42.51% 3,321 3.01% 235
1996 43.71% 3,275 43.01% 3,222 13.28% 995
1992 41.32% 3,070 35.62% 2,646 23.06% 1,713
1988 65.64% 4,243 33.74% 2,181 0.62% 40
1984 67.64% 4,822 32.32% 2,304 0.04% 3
1980 53.40% 3,356 43.17% 2,713 3.44% 216
1976 41.48% 2,000 56.30% 2,715 2.22% 107
1972 77.58% 2,958 22.34% 852 0.08% 3
1968 26.94% 1,103 22.89% 937 50.17% 2,054
1964 52.78% 1,986 47.22% 1,777
1960 50.10% 1,687 49.90% 1,680
1956 48.41% 1,234 51.59% 1,315
1952 41.21% 1,256 58.79% 1,792
1948 27.33% 569 55.57% 1,157 17.10% 356
1944 23.97% 543 76.03% 1,722
1940 21.79% 526 78.21% 1,888
1936 26.00% 560 74.00% 1,594
1932 23.76% 506 76.24% 1,624
1928 64.04% 1,382 34.66% 748 1.30% 28
1924 25.14% 230 70.05% 641 4.81% 44
1920 28.02% 1,077 64.93% 2,496 7.05% 271
1916 14.95% 385 68.13% 1,755 16.93% 436
1912 8.74% 110 67.28% 847 23.99% 302
1908 16.98% 244 69.03% 992 13.99% 201
1904 18.50% 188 70.96% 721 10.53% 107
Previous gubernatorial elections results
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2014 49.00% 3,681 43.85% 3,294 7.15% 537
2010 53.10% 3,667 41.80% 2,887 5.10% 352
2006 57.41% 3,785 39.48% 2,603 3.11% 205
2002 54.47% 3,951 44.28% 3,212 1.25% 91
1998 61.67% 3,711 38.15% 2,296 0.18% 11
1994 54.40% 3,407 45.60% 2,856

Library

DeSoto County is part of the Heartland Library Cooperative which has 7 branches that serve DeSoto County and some of the surrounding counties, including Glades, Highlands, Hardee, and Okeechobee.

  • Avon Park
  • DeSoto
  • Glades
  • Hardee
  • Lake Placid
  • Okeechobee
  • Sebring

Local media

Newspaper

The Charlotte Sun produces a section dedicated to Desoto County called The Arcadian. Locally, the section is offered as a standalone for residential delivery.

Television

Desoto County is part of the Fort Myers/Naples DMA. Almost all stations from Fort Myers and Naples are receivable within the county, as well as some stations from the Tampa/St. Petersburg/Sarasota DMA. There was formerly a low-power television station, WALM-LD on channel 34. However, the station is currently silent, and is not receivable on television sets.

Radio

DeSoto County has three radio stations licensed to locations within the county:

WCXS (1480 AM Classic Country) WZSP (105.3 FM La Zeta - Mexican)

Communities
Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto

City

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

Transportation

Airports

Arcadia Municipal Airport is the only public-use airport in DeSoto County.

Major highways
See also: List of county roads in DeSoto County, Florida

I-75 runs only a short section in the very southwestern tip of the county and has no major junctions within the county.

gollark: Oh, here's an existing mesh thing. https://github.com/yggdrasil-network/yggdrasil-go
gollark: You just give it a specification for sound to produce in my accursedly convoluted description language, and it does maths™.
gollark: I've also been doing """music""" lately with my sine wave generator program™.
gollark: Bye.
gollark: This sort of works now, although I'm not sure how resilient existing mechanisms are against adversaries.

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Publications of the Florida Historical Society. Florida Historical Society. 1908. p. 31.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 14, 2018.

Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

Media

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