De Soto County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, De Soto Parish, Louisiana, had a population of approximately 25,362 people. The racial composition was approximately 55% White, 41% African American, 1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, and 2.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race. The median household income was around $41,000, with about 23% of the population living below the poverty line. The parish spans approximately 895 square miles, primarily rural in character.

De Soto County, LA, features a median home value of approximately $150,000. The county has a homeownership rate of 75%, with the median rent around $800 per month. Housing units total about 10,000, with a mix of single-family homes, mobile homes, and a few multi-family structures. The average household size is 2.55 individuals. A significant percentage of homes are built pre-1980, reflecting the region's older housing stock. Overall, De Soto County offers affordable housing options with a strong tendency towards homeownership.

As of the most recent update in 2023, De Soto Parish, Louisiana holds elections for various local and state positions. Key elections include sheriff, school board members, and judges, among others.

For the 2023 sheriff's race, the main candidates are:

1. Jayson Richardson
2. Mike Armstrong

In the school board races, candidates vary by district. For example, in District 1, the candidates are:

1. Jane Smith
2. Robert Johnson

Turnout for local elections in De Soto Parish typically fluctuates, often landing around 30-50% of eligible voters, depending on the race and year. These elections are crucial for community governance and representation. For more detailed information on specific races and candidate platforms, residents are encouraged to visit the De Soto Parish Clerk of Court's website or the Louisiana Secretary of State's election portal.

De Soto Parish, Louisiana, exhibits educational attainment levels that are generally lower than state and national averages. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, only about 75.3% of De Soto Parish residents aged 25 and over have completed high school, compared to the national average of approximately 88.5% and the Louisiana state average of 86.5%. Furthermore, around 9.6% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while the national average stands at 32.1% and the state average is 23.9%. These figures indicate that De Soto Parish has room for growth in improving educational attainment, both in terms of high school graduation rates and higher education achievement.

Sources:

• U.S. Census Bureau
• National Center for Education Statistics

As of the latest available data, De Soto Parish, Louisiana, has a labor force participation rate of approximately 54%, compared to the national average of around 63% and the state average of 59%. The unemployment rate in De Soto Parish hovers around 6%, higher than both the national average of 3.7% and the state average of 4.3%.

Top industries in De Soto Parish include:

1. Mining, Quarrying, and Oil & Gas Extraction: Major industry due to the Haynesville Shale.
2. Manufacturing: Significant presence of manufacturing plants.
3. Health Care and Social Assistance: A growing sector due to increasing demand for services.

These industries collectively employ a notable portion of the parish's workforce but contribute to an employment pattern that varies significantly from national norms, which are more diversified across technology, finance, and professional services.

As of the latest available data, De Soto County, Louisiana, has an average household income of approximately $47,500. In comparison, the average household income for the state of Louisiana is around $51,073, while the national average is roughly $68,703.

Here's a summary table for clarity:

De Soto County's average income is notably lower than both the state and national averages. This discrepancy highlights economic challenges unique to the area within the broader context of state and national economic conditions.

As of the most recent available data, De Soto County, LA, has a varied crime profile. The county's overall crime rate stands at around 35.6 per 1,000 residents. Below is a table summarizing the types of crimes recorded:

Note: Crime rates are approximate and based on the latest available data, which may be subject to updates.