DeSoto County, Florida

DeSoto County is a located in the  of. As of 2000, the population was 32,209. The 2005 estimate for the county is 35,406. Its is. The county comprises the Arcadia, Florida.

History
De Soto County was created in. It was named for Hernando de Soto,, whose name was also honored in.

DeSoto County originally included several present day counties. In 1921 Florida legislation was passed to break up the size of the county. This produced the following counties:, , , and.

During DeSoto County operated the Carlstrom Field Air Base. The Air Base facilitated air training for American and British pilots. Twenty three British pilots who were killed while training at the base are honored at DeSoto County's Oak Ridge Cemetery, which is located in the town of Arcadia. In 1945 the base turned out their last cadets before shutting their doors. The field was sold to the State of Florida for $1 and was later converted to a mental health facility known as G. Pierce Wood Memorial Hospital. This has since been converted to a facility for juvenile offenders.

On ,, went directly through DeSoto County. Even though force winds only lashed the county for about an hour, most buildings in the county sustained damage, and many were totally destroyed.

Geography
According to the, the county has a total area of 1,656 (640 ). 1,651 km² (637 sq mi) of it is land and 6 km² (2 sq mi) of it (0.35%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

 * - north
 * - east
 * - southeast
 * - south
 * - west
 * - northwest

Demographics
As of the of 2000, there were 32,209 people, 10,746 households, and 7,672 families residing in the county. The was 20/km² (50/sq mi). There were 13,608 housing units at an average density of 8/km² (21/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 73.33%, 12.72% or , 1.59% , 0.41% , 0.04% , 10.49% from , and 1.43% from two or more races. 24.90% of the population were or  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=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 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 for the county was $14,000. About 14.20% of families and 23.60% of the population were below the, including 31.50% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

 * (unincorporated)
 * (unincorporated)

Politics
DeSoto County typically votes Republican for most state and national offices, although there is a tradition of electing to local offices.

Government links/Constitutional offices

 * DeSoto County Board of County Commissioners official website
 * DeSoto County Supervisor of Elections
 * DeSoto County Property Appraiser
 * DeSoto County Sheriff's Office
 * DeSoto County Tax Collector

Special districts

 * DeSoto County Public Schools
 * Southwest Florida Water Management District
 * Heartland Library Cooperative

Judicial branch

 * Office of the State Attorney, 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida serving DeSoto,, and counties
 * Circuit and County Court for the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida

Tourism links

 * DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce

Media

 * WZZS-FM (106.9 The Bull)
 * WZSP-FM (105.3 La Zeta)