DeSoto, Texas
Encyclopedia
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
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 21.6 square miles (55.9 km²), all of it land.
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 (38.8 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.
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.
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.
!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
|-
. 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
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in Dallas County
Dallas County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,218,899 people, 807,621 households, and 533,837 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,523 people per square mile . There were 854,119 housing units at an average density of 971/sq mi...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
(USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
). 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
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
and is part of the Best Southwest
Best Southwest, Dallas County, Texas
The Best Southwest is a term commonly applied to four Dallas suburbs – Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, and Lancaster – in southwestern Dallas County, Texas...
area, which includes DeSoto, Cedar Hill
Cedar Hill, Texas
Cedar Hill is a city in Dallas and Ellis Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is located approximately sixteen miles southwest of downtown Dallas and is situated along the eastern shore of Joe Pool Lake and Cedar Hill State Park. The population was 32,093 at the 2000 census...
, Duncanville
Duncanville, Texas
Duncanville is a city in Dallas County, Texas . Duncanville's population was 36,081 at the 2000 census, and estimated at 42,500 in 2008. Duncanville is a suburb of Dallas and is part of the Best Southwest area, which includes Duncanville, Cedar Hill, DeSoto, and Lancaster.-Geography:Duncanville is...
, and Lancaster
Lancaster, Texas
Lancaster is a city in Dallas County, Texas, United States. The population was 25,894 at the 2000 census.Lancaster is a suburb of Dallas, Texas and is part of the Best Southwest area, which includes Lancaster, Cedar Hill, DeSoto, and Duncanville. Most of the city is in Dallas County. But a...
.
Geography
DeSoto is located at 32°35′57"N 96°51′32"W (32.599286, -96.858828).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 21.6 square miles (55.9 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.After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, 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 (38.8 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
City hall
In local government, a city hall, town hall or a municipal building or civic centre, is the chief administrative building of a city...
, the public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
and chamber of commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
, along with civic and recreation centers. There is also a 180-seat auditorium and outdoor amphitheater.
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
National Civic League
The National Civic League is an American non-profit organization that advocates for transparency, effectiveness, and openness in local government...
named DeSoto an "All-America City
All-America City Award
The All-America City Award is given by the National Civic League annually to ten cities in the United States.The oldest community recognition program in the nation, the award recognizes communities whose citizens work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon...
". 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 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 37,646 people, 13,709 households, and 10,459 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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
Council-manager government
The council–manager government form is one of two predominant forms of municipal government in the United States; the other common form of local government is the mayor-council government form, which characteristically occurs in large cities...
form of government.
Under this type of local government, the day-to-day management of the city is directed by a city manager
City manager
A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief executive officer or chief administrative officer in some municipalities...
. 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 | |
| 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
{| class="wikitable"!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
|-
Education
Most of DeSoto lies within the DeSoto Independent School DistrictDeSoto Independent School District
DeSoto Independent School District is a school district based in DeSoto, Texas . The district covers most of DeSoto and the Dallas County portions of Glenn Heights and Ovilla....
. The district has 12 schools (7 Elementary, 3 Middle, a High School
DeSoto High School (DeSoto, Texas)
DeSoto High School is a public school in DeSoto, Texas, United States. It is part of the DeSoto Independent School District. It is located at 600 Eagle Drive - History :...
and Freshman Campus) that serve approximately 8,000 students. The district's mascot is the eagle
Eagle
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in...
.
A small portion of the city is located in the Duncanville Independent School District
Duncanville Independent School District
Duncanville Independent School District is a school district based in Duncanville, Texas .Duncanville ISD serves most of the city of Duncanville and portions of DeSoto, Dallas, and Cedar Hill. Currently, the District is receiving a high number of Hispanics coming in, and a slightly decreasing...
. Another small portion is in the Dallas Independent School District
Dallas Independent School District
The Dallas Independent School District is a school district based in Dallas, Texas . Dallas ISD, which operates schools in much of Dallas County, is the second largest school district in Texas and the twelfth largest in the United States.In 2009, the school district was rated "academically...
.
There are several private
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
and parochial
Parochial school
A parochial school is a school that provides religious education in addition to conventional education. In a narrower sense, a parochial school is a Christian grammar school or high school which is part of, and run by, a parish.-United Kingdom:...
schools in or near the city.