Oak Cliff
Downtown
Dallas
Grand Prairie
south
Arlington
Pleasant Grove
Red Bird
DeSoto
Desoto is one of the black middle-class' favorite suburbs. The population in Desoto increased almost 30% between 2000 and 2010. Today more than 73% of the city's homes are single-family detached dwellings. DeSoto has favored single family homes over apartments in development plans.
Although it is growing larger, this city has a small town suburban feel due to the planned lack of density. Developers recently completed a mixed use urban development in the center of the city. The project named "Desoto Town Center” includes office, residential and retail space all adjacent to the DeSoto City Hall, Library, Civic Center, and Recreation Center with competition-grade gymnasiums, an indoor track, racquetball courts and fitness center. This center also includes an outdoor amphitheater and The Corner Theatre, a 160 seat performance hall who has the African-American Repertory Theater as its resident theater company.
DeSoto has taken a hit with the recent economic setbacks that have also been experienced across the nation. This is reflected in the increased number of foreclosures and the increased amount of time houses for sale remain on the market. The median home cost in DeSoto is $123,850.
The school district is already 78% black and has recently expanded educational and athletic facilities to welcome its new growth.
On June 11, 2006, the National Civic League named DeSoto an "All-America City". The All-America City Award recognizes communities whose citizens work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon results.
Total population------------------------------------------48,816
Black or African American-------------------------------61.6%
Median family income----------------------------------$74,605
Now married, except separated:------------------------56.9%
Population 25 years and over that attended college: 64%
Forecasted population for 2030:----------------------59,000
DeSoto
DeSoto Independent School District (ISD) 2010
9,062 students
12 schools
Black
78%
78%Hispanic 15%
White7%
7%DeSoto ISD Texas State Accountability Rating: Recognized
DeSoto's High School rated Academically Acceptable
Freshman Campus rated Recognized
Two Middle Schools rated Recognized
One Middle School rated Academically Acceptable
Three Elementary schools rated Exemplary
Three Elementary schools rated Recognized,
One Elementary school rated Academically Acceptable
None of the districts school where rated Unacceptable
Economically disadvantaged 53%
Special education 11%
11%Gifted/talented students 6%
6%Limited English proficient 6%
6%Beginning teachers 20%
1 to 5 years 34%
34%6 to 10 years 15%
15%11 to 20 years 15%
15%21 or more years 16%
Total per pupil expenditures$6,910
$6,910
DeSoto Town Center
DeSoto Mayor
Carl Sherman
There are more mixed use projects under development on the city's main artery Hampton road as well.
The City hosts an annuall Black History Program, JuneTeenth Celebration, Hip Hop Teen Conference, and a city hall Martin Luther King, Jr. Display, among its other, city supported events.
SOURCE:
http://www.census.gov/, http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Desoto-Texas.aspx, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeSoto,_Texas
north
Arlington
