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Desoto County Profile
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Primary Economic Development Contact
Nearest MSA: Punta Gorda
Time Zone: Eastern
Local Area Code(s): 863
Largest Cities:1 Arcadia
Miles* To:
Tallahassee...................................267
Orlando...................................95
Tampa...................................65
Jacksonville...................................217
Miami...................................146
Atlanta...................................475
Chicago...................................1064
Dallas...................................972
New York...................................1034
*Miles are calculated from county seat.
Click here to learn about this county.
Desoto
1980:19,039
1990:23,865
2010:34,862
2020(p):37,600
2040(p):42,900
(p) Denotes Projected Population
Florida
9,746,961
12,938,071
18,801,310
21,326,800
26,081,800
Desoto Florida
2007$21,902$39,449
2008$22,425$40,133
2009$22,655$38,965
Average TemperatureHighLow
January:7149
July:9173
Florida Mean Annual Precipitation...........................53
Average Annual Rain Days...........................112
(2010)
In-Migration1,357
Out-Migration1,247
Net-Migration 110
*Estimates based on IRS Statistics of Income data
(2010)
Labor Force15,197
Labor Force % of County Population43.6
Number in County Unemployed1,692
Unemployment Rate11.1%

  Monthly labor force data are available from the Florida Agency
  for Workforce Innovation.
N/D = No DataDesotoFlorida
(2010)
Average Annual Employment8,2817,109,630
Natural Resources & Mining15.3%1.2%
Construction3.1%5.0%
Manufacturing3.5%4.3%
Trade, Transportation and Utilities22.9%21.2%
Information0.3%1.9%
Financial Activities3.5%6.6%
Professional & Business Services5.7%14.8%
Education & Health Services0.0%22.0%
Leisure & Hospitality5.6%13.2%
Other Services1.4%3.3%
Public administration17.7%6.6%
UnclassifiedN/D

Average Annual Wage
(2010)
All Industries$31,640
Construction$26,082
Education & Health ServicesN/D
Financial Activities$33,756
Information$51,966
Leisure & Hospitality$14,518
Manufacturing$53,935
Natural Resources & Mining$23,596
Other Services$19,754
Professional & Business Services$38,930
Public administration$34,480
Trade, Transportation and Utilities$29,264
UnclassifiedN/D
Major Private Sector Employers

Wal-Mart Distribution Center
Business Line: Distribution/Logistics
Number of Employees..................................................... 502

Wal-Mart
Business Line: Retail
Number of Employees..................................................... 300

DeSoto Medical Hospital
Business Line: Healthcare
Number of Employees..................................................... 290

Peace River Citrus
Business Line: Citrus Juice
Number of Employees..................................................... 140

Bethel Farms
Business Line: Lawn & Gardening Items Production
Number of Employees..................................................... 87

Sorrels Brothers Packing Co., Inc.
Business Line: Citrus Harvetsting & Packing
Number of Employees..................................................... 75

Winslow Lifecraft
Business Line: Manufacturing of Lifecraft
Number of Employees..................................................... 75

First State Bank
Business Line: Banking
Number of Employees..................................................... 58

Sun Bulb Company
Business Line: Wholesale Orchid Nursery
Number of Employees..................................................... 54

Federal InterstatesI-75
Federal HighwaysUS-17
State HighwaysSR 31, SR-70, SR 72
RailroadsCSX, Seminole Gulf Railway
Nearest Airport with Scheduled Commerical Airline Service:RSW (Punta Gorda Regional)
# Runways2
Longest Paved Runway(ft.)12000
General Aviation AirportsDeSoto County Airport, Punta Gorda Airport

Local Deep Water PortManatee Port Authority
Miles to Closest Port49
COUNTY
Countywide Ad Valorem Millage Rates:
Government6.8987
Schools7.4770
Special0.3928
Total14.7685

Ad Valorem Tax Exemption: Yes
Retail Sales Tax (Local Option)1.00
Federal Enterprise ZoneNo
State Enterprise ZoneEZ-1401
STATE
Corporate Income Tax5.5%
Personal Income Tax0.0%
Retail Sales Tax6.0%
Electric Companies:
  • FPL
  • PREC (Peace River Electric Cooperative)

  • Natural Gas Companies:
  • Florida Gas Transmission Co.

  • Telephone Companies:
  • Century Link

  • Water & Sewer Companies:
  • Lake Suzy Utilities
  • Florida Water
  • DeSoto County Water/Wastewater
  • City of Arcadia Water/Wastewater


  • Existing Industrial Zoned LandYes
    Number of Acres4,876
    Largest Available Contiguous Parcel672

    Industrial ParksYes
    Number of Acres8
    Largest Available Contiguous Parcel8

    Foreign Trade ZonesNo
    Zone Number(s)
    Public
    Schools
    TeachersEnrollments
    Totals:133624,938

    Private Schools Available: No
    POST SECONDARY EDUCATION SERVING THE COUNTY:

    Colleges/Universities:
  • Florida Gulf Coast University
  • Edison State College

  • Junior/Community Colleges:
  • South Florida Community College

  • Technical Schools:
  • DeSoto County High School

  • Other Schools:
  • DeSoto County Adult Education Program
  • DeSoto County Magnet School

  • Local Radio Stations:
  • WZZS- 106.9 FM
  • WFLN- Newsradio 1480 AM
  • WZSP- 105.3 FM






  • Local Television Stations:
  • none listed








  • Locally Printed Newspapers:
  • DeSoto Sun Herald

  • Number of Banks:6

    Number of Savings and Loans:0

    Number of Credit Unions:2
    Cost of Living
    Price Level Index, (2010)
    Florida State Average = 100
    200897.59
    200997.91
    201097.08
    Medical Services:
  • DeSoto Memorial Hospital

  • Recreational Opportunities:
  • Camping
  • Horseback Riding
  • Peace River Canoeing
  • Turner Agri-Civic Center Events

  • Historical Points Of Interest:
  • Historic Downtown Arcadia
  • Owens Historic School

  • Cultural Events/Festivals:
  • Arcadia All Florida Rodeo
  • DeSoto County Fair
  • Turner Agri-Civic Center
  • Watermelon Festival

  • Enterprise Florida, Inc. 800 North Magnolia Avenue, Suite 1100 Orlando, Florida 32803 Phone 407-956-5600 Fax(407)956-5599
    Visit us on the World Wide Web: http://www.eflorida.com