The Town Files

DeSoto County, Florida

35,386 people. The median home is worth $174,100 (typical Florida town: $331,600) and the median household earns $54,417.

Towns in DeSoto County

Towns in DeSoto County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Arcadia7,420$177,700$39,67736.2
Southeast Arcadia6,299$169,200$60,16937.6

People and housing

DeSoto CountyTypical Florida town
Median home value$174,100$331,600
Median rent$932$1,569
Median household income$54,417$71,140
Median age43.542.8
Bachelor's degree or higher10.8%28.8%
Below the poverty line24.1%11.3%

Jobs and pay

9,915 jobs in 2024, average pay $49,347 a year.

Largest industries in DeSoto CountyTransportation & warehousing1,290 jobs · $52,857Retail1,150 jobs · $36,406Construction862 jobs · $50,899Manufacturing424 jobs · $73,761Administrative & support373 jobs · $50,511Other services123 jobs · $43,694
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in DeSoto County0%2%4%6%8%10%12%2000200420082012201620202023 3.6%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 199 storm events in DeSoto County from 1996 to 2026, with 5 deaths.

Storm events in DeSoto County by type since 1996Hail17Flood32Tornado12Dense Fog39Lightning3Flash Flood6Frost/Freeze33Tropical Storm12Cold/Wind Chill2Thunderstorm Wind28
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

DeSoto County has been included in 38 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
October 11, 2024HurricaneDR-4834: Hurricane Milton
October 7, 2024HurricaneEM-3622: Hurricane Milton
September 28, 2024HurricaneDR-4828: Hurricane Helene
August 10, 2024Tropical StormDR-4806: Hurricane Debby
August 3, 2024Tropical StormEM-3605: Tropical Storm Debby
August 31, 2023HurricaneDR-4734: Hurricane Idalia
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).