Community Facts

Overall Stats

DeSoto County Population

1990 Census: 67,910
2000 Census: 107,199
2003 Census: 124,378

Horn Lake Est. Population: 20,000
From 1990 to 2000 –

An average of 7 families move into DeSoto County every day.

The 7% sales tax rate in DeSoto County is lower than across the state line in Memphis. This cost savings for consumers helps to attract buyers from the major metropolitan area to DeSoto County for recurring purchases and for big-ticket items.

DeSoto draws customers and new residents from Memphis

  • Easy Access
  • Lower Cost of Living
  • Lower Cost of Doing Business


DeSoto County is part of the Memphis, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Population
1980 Census                                938,777
1990 Census                                1,007,306
2000 Census                                1,144,470

Average HH Income:                   $52,963
Median Age:                                 33
Race Distribution:
White                                         54.0%
Black                                         43.2%
Asian/Pacific Islander               1.5%
Other                                         1.3%

Growth

DeSoto County’s amazing growth has been good for all types of business-and that growth is projected to continue.  From 1990 to 2000, population grew 58% and retail sales increased 200%

Housing Starts

2005 - 2802
2004 – 2235
1990 – 1391

DeSoto County residential permits make up more than 30% of all residential permits for the five-county Memphis MSA.

Retail Sales Growth (in millions of dollars)

2004 - $1,800.99
1995 - $   661.72

2004 Retail Sales by Category

Automotive:  $256,275,907
Machinery, Equipment and Supplies:  $30,395,184
Food & Beverage:  $337,369,062
Furniture & Fixtures:  $20,316,739
Public Utilities:  $99,138,602
Apparel & General Merchandise:  $370,784,604
Lumber & Building Materials:  $179,383,064
Miscellaneous Retail:  $168,138,547
Miscellaneous Services:  $94,757,586
Contracting:  $231,349,051
Recreation:  $10,906,679
Total FY2004 Retail Sales:  $1,800,990,098

DeSoto County’s retail sales growth of $100 million for FY2003 represented the second highest growth in the State of Mississippi.

Source:  Mississippi State Tax Commission

Access

Mississippi is centrally located among major USA growth markets, and has two foreign trade zones.  Mississippi is the gateway to all major U.S. , Canadian, and Latin American markets.  The Mississippi roadway system was ranked as fourth best in the USA and best in the South.

Horn Lake is within a day’s drive of 55% of the USA’s business and major population areas. Major air carriers serve the state with connections to principal cities and major population areas.

Tourism

DeSoto County businesses benefit from the proximity of tourist attractions in Memphis such as Graceland and Beale Street.  America’s Blues Highway, a corridor famous for many blues-related historical sites, runs from Memphis to Clarksdale, Mississippi, passing through DeSoto County.  Tunica, south of DeSoto County, which is approximately 20 minutes away from Horn Lake, is now ranked the 3rd largest gaming destination in the United States.

The 10,000-seat DeSoto Civic Center, home to the Memphis RiverKings (ice hockey), located on Interstate 55 and Church Road, has increased tourism and convention business in the county.

Logistics

DeSoto County is at the heart of the thriving logistics industry, located just minutes from the Memphis International Airport.  Memphis International is home of the FedEx Super Hub and a major UPS distribution hub.  Businesses located in DeSoto County enjoy the tremendous advantage of FedEx picking up as late as 11 p.m. for the next morning delivery.

The world’s largest busiest cargo airport, Class I rail systems, the second-largest US inland port, and a network of interstate highways make DeSoto County an ideal location.  Receiving time-sensitive merchandise or fulfilling retail and wholesale orders worldwide is simple for DeSoto County businesses.