Skip to content
Submit

DeSoto County

MS · Pop. 188,598 · Mixed County

57/100Homestead Score

DeSoto County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Mississippi, spanning 476 square miles with 188,598 residents at a density of 396.2 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, cotton, corn. A median home price of $249,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.64% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 220-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.3°F and average winter lows of 31.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 55.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Baptist Memorial Hospital - Desoto is 6.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.64%
Growing Season: 220 days
Broadband: 99.1%
Density: 396.2/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 220-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.64% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Baptist Memorial Hospital - Desoto, with an emergency room, is just 6.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • At 396.2 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

DeSoto County, MS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
57/100
Median home price
$249k
Property tax
0.64%
Growing season
220 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
55.4"
Broadband
99.1%
Nearest hospital
Baptist Memorial Hospital - Desoto, 6.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.64%
Median Household Income$82,980
Poverty Rate10%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$249K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season220 days
Annual Rainfall55.4 inches
Avg Summer High93.3°F
Avg Winter Low31.7°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Cotton, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado10/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalBaptist Memorial Hospital - Desoto (6.6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities3

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.1%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.6%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in DeSoto County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in DeSoto County?
DeSoto County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 220-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.3°F, and average winter lows of 31.7°F. The established crops are soybeans, cotton, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $249,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.64%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Baptist Memorial Hospital - Desoto is 6.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.

Explore Mississippi Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

LandWatch

Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.

Browse Land Listings

Lands of America

The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.

Search Rural Properties

AcreTrader

Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.

Explore Farmland Investments

More counties in Mississippi

All Mississippi counties

Nearby counties

The closest counties to DeSoto County by distance, including across state lines.

Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.