County · Florida
DeSoto County, Florida
DeSoto County, Florida. DeSoto County had 37,078 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 9.1% since 2020, in line with Florida (+8.9%). It holds 2 places (1 city, village or borough and 1 census-designated) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 12027.
DeSoto County is the county of the Arcadia, FL micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
37,078
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 33,976 · ACS 2020-2024: 35,386
Median household income
$54,417
±$3,888 (90% margin)
Florida: $74,568
Median home value
$174,100
±$12,130 (90% margin)
Florida: $359,000
Median gross rent
$932
±$57 (90% margin)
Florida: $1,669
How many people live in DeSoto County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 33,976 residents in DeSoto County. The Census Bureau estimates 37,078 for July 1, 2025, up 9.1% since 2020, in line with Florida (+8.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 35,386 over 637 square miles of land.
| Measure | DeSoto County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 35,386 | 22,416,077 | −1,517 |
| Households | 12,824±360 | 8,752,810 | +752 |
| Average household size | 2.53±0.07 | 2.51 | −0.24 |
| Housing units | 15,872±72 | 10,256,470 | +683 |
DeSoto County's population since 2000
From 32,209 in 2000 to 37,078 in 2025: up 15.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in DeSoto County?
DeSoto County holds 2 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Arcadia with 8,046 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Arcadia | 7,420 | $39,677 |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Arcadia | 6,299 | $60,169 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in DeSoto County?
The median resident of DeSoto County is 43.5 years old; 17.9% are under 18 and 23.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 54.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 30.1%. 13.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | DeSoto County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.5±0.9 | 42.6 | +2.6 |
| Under 18 years | 17.9%±0.1 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.8%±0.6 pts | 21.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 30.1% | 27.4% | −1.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 54.9%±0.3 pts | 50.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 12.3%±0.7 pts | 14.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 2.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.1%±0.8 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 13.6%±1.8 pts | 21.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 22.4%±2.2 pts | 30.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.9%±1.4 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 21.3%±2.4 pts | 13.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 19.9%±3.1 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 73.5%±2.8 pts | 89.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 10.8%±1.7 pts | 34.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.3%±0.9 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6%±1.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in DeSoto County earn?
Half of DeSoto County's 12,824 households earn less than $54,417 a year (±$3,888), against $74,568 in Florida. In 2015-2019 the median was $43,613 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,804 after inflation. 24.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | DeSoto County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,417±$3,888 | $74,568 | +$10,804 |
| Mean household income | $65,542±$4,451 | $105,967 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,162±$1,541 | $42,609 | +$2,390 |
| People below the poverty line | 24.1%±3.3 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 34.8%±8.0 pts | 16.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 22.4%±3.3 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.0%±2.7 pts | 91.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in DeSoto County?
Owners occupy 72.5% of DeSoto County's occupied homes and renters 27.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $174,100 by its owner (±$12,130). The median renter pays $932 a month including utilities, and 39.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | DeSoto County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $174,100±$12,130 | $359,000 | +$66,168 |
| Median gross rent | $932±$57 | $1,669 | +$87 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.7%±10.0 pts | 50.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,409±$70 | $1,959 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.5%±3.5 pts | 67.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,872±72 | 10,256,470 | +683 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.8%±3.7 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 48.7%±3.2 pts | 54.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 31.8%±2.8 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.1%±0.8 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.5%±1.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is DeSoto County building?
Builders took permits for 159 new housing units across DeSoto County in 2025 (159 single-family), 4.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in DeSoto County get to work?
69.8% of DeSoto County's workers drive alone and 4.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.5%.
| Measure | DeSoto County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.5%±2.9 pts | 59.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.5%±3.6 pts | 4.8% | +4.7 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 69.8%±4.2 pts | 70.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 22.4%±4.6 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.1%±1.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.7%±2.0 pts | 15.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.5 min±2.6 | 28.0 min | +4.2 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are DeSoto County's census tracts?
DeSoto County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $41,754 (Tract 104.04) to $65,523 (Tract 101.02).
| Tract 101.0112027010101 | 4,155±517 | $62,912 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 101.0212027010102 | 4,957±585 | $65,523 |
| Tract 10212027010200 | 5,484±494 | $45,254 |
| Tract 103.0112027010301 | 6,752±917 | $52,148 |
| Tract 103.0212027010302 | 2,046±437 | not published |
| Tract 104.0312027010403 | 3,540±610 | $54,880 |
| Tract 104.0412027010404 | 3,331±557 | $41,754 |
| Tract 104.0512027010405 | 1,722±333 | $56,406 |
| Tract 104.0612027010406 | 3,399±606 | $64,545 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does DeSoto County compare with Florida's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 49th of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 33rd of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 47th of 67 |
| Median household income | 57th of 67 |
| Median home value | 52nd of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 50th of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 65th of 67 |
| Median age | 34th of 67 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for DeSoto County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.