- DeSoto, Texas
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DeSoto, Texas — City — DeSoto Tower at I-35E and Pleasant Run Rd.
Location of DeSoto in Dallas County, Texas
Coordinates: 32°35′57″N 96°51′32″W / 32.59917°N 96.85889°WCoordinates: 32°35′57″N 96°51′32″W / 32.59917°N 96.85889°W Country United States State Texas County Dallas Incorporated 1949 Government - Type Council-Manager - City Council Mayor Carl Sherman
Patricia Ledbetter
Denise Valentine
Deshaundra Lockhart
Sandy Respess
James Zander
Jerry Edgin- City Manager Dr.Tarron J. Richardson Area - Total 21.6 sq mi (55.9 km2) - Land 21.6 sq mi (55.9 km2) - Water 0 sq mi (0 km2) Elevation 666 ft (203 m) Population (2000) - Total 49,047 - Density 1,744.4/sq mi (673.5/km2) Time zone Central (UTC-6) - Summer (DST) Central (UTC-5) ZIP codes 75115, 75123 Area code(s) 972 FIPS code 48-20092[1] GNIS feature ID 1373357[2] Website ci.DeSoto.TX.US 
DeSoto was named an "All America City" in 2006.
DeSoto is a city in Dallas County, Texas (USA). Over the past eleven years since the 2000 U.S. Census Report, the City of DeSoto has grown in population from 37,646 to 49,047.
DeSoto is a suburb of Dallas and is part of the Best Southwest area, which includes DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and Lancaster.
Contents
Geography
DeSoto is located at 32°35′57″N 96°51′32″W / 32.59917°N 96.85889°W (32.599286, -96.858828).[3]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.6 square miles (56 km2), all of it 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.
DeSoto, Texas circa 1911By 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 (39 km2). 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
Historical populations 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% Est. 2006 47,109 25.1% As of the census[1] 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% 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. 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.
Current City Council Members[4] Place 1 Carl Sherman (Mayor) Place 2 Patricia Ledbetter Place 3 Denise Valentine Place 4 Deshaundra Lockhart Place 5 Sandy Respess Place 6 vacant Place 7 Jerry Edgin 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–present Carl Sherman 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 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.
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-Present Dr. Tarron J. Richardson 
Duncanville Dallas Dallas Cedar Hill 
Lancaster 
DeSoto 
Cedar Hill Glenn Heights Lancaster References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ City of Desoto - City Council. Retrieved 4 July 2006.
External links
- City of DeSoto - Official site.
- DeSoto Chamber of Commerce
- DeSoto Economic Development Corporation
- DeSoto Independent School District
- DeSoto Public Library
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Counties Major cities Cities and towns
100k-300kCarrollton • Denton • Frisco • Garland • Grand Prairie • Irving • McKinney • Mesquite • Plano • RichardsonCities and towns
25k-99kAllen • Bedford • Cedar Hill • Cleburne • The Colony • Coppell • DeSoto • Duncanville • Euless • Farmers Branch • Flower Mound • Grapevine • Haltom City • Highland Village • Hurst • Keller • Lancaster • Lewisville • Mansfield • North Richland Hills • Rockwall • Rowlett • WylieCities and towns
10k-25kAddison • Balch Springs • Benbrook • Burleson • Colleyville • Corinth • Ennis • Forest Hill • Greenville • Saginaw • Seagoville • Southlake • Terrell • University Park • Watauga • Waxahachie • Weatherford • White SettlementMunicipalities and communities of Dallas County, Texas Cities Balch Springs | Carrollton‡ | Cedar Hill‡ | Cockrell Hill | Combine‡ | Coppell‡ | Dallas‡ | DeSoto | Duncanville | Farmers Branch | Ferris‡ | Garland‡ | Glenn Heights‡ | Grand Prairie‡ | Grapevine‡ | Hutchins | Irving | Lancaster‡ | Lewisville‡ | Mesquite‡ | Ovilla‡ | Richardson‡ | Rowlett‡ | Sachse‡ | Seagoville‡ | University Park | Wilmer | Wylie‡
Towns Unincorporated
communitiesAlpha | Sand Branch
Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Categories:- Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex
- Cities in Texas
- Populated places in Dallas County, Texas
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