DeSoto is a city in Dallas
County, Texas (USA). As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city's population was 37,646 (though a
2005 estimate placed the population at 45,514).
DeSoto is a suburb of Dallas and is part of the Best Southwest area, which includes DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and Lancaster.
Geography
DeSoto is located at 32°35′57″N, 96°51′32″W (32.599286,
-96.858828)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area
of 55.9 km² (21.6 mi²), all land.
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.
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. By 1960, the population had
grown to 1,969. In 1970, DeSoto was home to 6,617 people and seventy-one 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 and chamber of commerce, along with civic and recreation centers. There is also 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 constituted 75.97% of the city's population, but that figure had declined to 48.83% in the 2000 census. 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.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 37,646 people, 13,709 households, and 10,459 families
residing in the city. The population density was 673.5/km² (1,744.5/mi²). There were
14,069 housing units at an average density of 251.7/km² (652.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 48.83% White, 45.53% African American, 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. Jim Baugh 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.
| Current City Council Members[1] |
| Place 1 |
Bobby Waddle (Mayor) |
| Place 2 |
Virgil Helm |
| Place 3 |
Denise Valentine |
| Place 4 |
Thelma Clardy (Mayor Pro Tem) |
| Place 5 |
Sandy Respess |
| Place 6 |
Carl Sherman |
| Place 7 |
Carl Williams |
Mayors
City Managers
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.
City Logo
The DeSoto City Logo was adopted on August 26, 1976. The logo, a large "D", has the head of an eagle (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.
People from DeSoto
External links
Coordinates:
32.599286° N 96.858828°
W
References
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
