De Soto, Missouri | |
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 Location of De Soto, Missouri | |
| Coordinates:38°08′28″N90°33′39″W / 38.14111°N 90.56083°W /38.14111; -90.56083 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Jefferson |
| Incorporated | 1869 |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.38 sq mi (11.35 km2) |
| • Land | 4.38 sq mi (11.35 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 545 ft (166 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 6,449 |
| • Density | 1,471.37/sq mi (568.10/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 63020 |
| Area code | 636 |
| FIPS code | 29-19252[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394475[2] |
| Website | City website |
De Soto is a city inJefferson County,Missouri, United States. The population was 6,449 at the2020 census and the city is part of theSt. Louis metropolitan area. The Van Metre family were first to settle in 1803. The town was organized in 1857 and is named for the explorerHernando De Soto, who claimed theLouisiana Territory forSpain.[4] De Soto was the city closest to themean center of U.S. population in 1980. The city celebrated its Bicentennial in 2003. The city made national news on and after May 6, 2003, when straight-line winds and a tornado struck.
De Soto wasplatted in 1857 and named afterHernando de Soto (c. 1496/1497–1542), Spanish conquistador.[5] A post office has been in operation at De Soto since 1858.[6]
The city is known as "Fountain City" because of its numerousartesian wells. Water from these wells and springs were bottled and shipped by tank car to the1904 World Fair in St. Louis.[7]
TheCentral School Campus andLouis J. and Harriet Rozier House are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[8]
On December 21, 1967, an F4 tornado 16.8 miles away from the city center killed three people, injured 52 people, and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.[9]
On June 22, 1969, an F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 13.5 miles away from the De Soto city center killed two people and injured 22 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.[9]
On April 22, 1981, a tornado destroyed the Joachim Savings & Loan, the offices of the Republic and Press newspaper, and a tire store. One person was killed in the Savings & Loan.[10]
OnMay 6, 2003, at approximately 3:45 pm, a tornado outbreak began inKansas,Missouri, andTennessee. At 5:14pm, a tornado touched down two miles northwest of De Soto. Fourteen minutes later, the tornado sirens went off inJefferson County. The tornado hit De Soto at F3 intensity, causing $12,800,000 in damage. The tornado destroyed the junior high gymnasium, caused significant damage to the high school and Vineland Elementary, destroyed 58 houses and a local grocery store. It injured 23 and killed nine inside De Soto.[11]
The community is located alongJoachim Creek in southwest Jefferson County.Missouri Route 21 passes just west to the west andMissouri Route 110 connects toUS Route 67 approximately three miles east of the town.[12]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.30 square miles (11.14 km2), all land.[13]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 1,989 | — | |
| 1890 | 3,960 | 99.1% | |
| 1900 | 5,611 | 41.7% | |
| 1910 | 4,721 | −15.9% | |
| 1920 | 5,003 | 6.0% | |
| 1930 | 5,069 | 1.3% | |
| 1940 | 5,121 | 1.0% | |
| 1950 | 5,357 | 4.6% | |
| 1960 | 5,804 | 8.3% | |
| 1970 | 5,984 | 3.1% | |
| 1980 | 5,993 | 0.2% | |
| 1990 | 5,993 | 0.0% | |
| 2000 | 6,375 | 6.4% | |
| 2010 | 6,400 | 0.4% | |
| 2020 | 6,449 | 0.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] | |||
As of thecensus[15] of 2010, there were 6,400 people, 2,629 households, and 1,633 families residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,488.4 inhabitants per square mile (574.7/km2). There were 2,927 housing units at an average density of 680.7 units per square mile (262.8 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.8%White, 1.6%African American, 0.4%Native American, 0.4%Asian, 0.3% fromother races, and 1.4% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.8% of the population.
There were 2,629 households, of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.0% weremarried couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.9% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.97.
The median age in the city was 36.8 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26% were from 25 to 44; 24.2% were from 45 to 64; 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.
As of thecensus[3] of 2000, there were 6,375 people, 2,544 households, and 1,656 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,673.6 inhabitants per square mile (646.2/km2). There were 2,741 housing units at an average density of 719.6 units per square mile (277.8 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.71%White, 1.71%African American, 0.31%Native American, 0.19%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.27% fromother races, and 0.80% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.02% of the population.
There were 2,544 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% weremarried couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,725, and the median income for a family was $37,486. Males had a median income of $33,163 versus $20,039 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $14,971. About 11.4% of families and 14.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
The local economy is fueled byUnion Pacific Railroad which operates a car repair shop on the east side of Main Street.Wal-Mart and De Soto School District #73 are the largest employers.
De Soto's main train station on theMissouri Pacific Railroad was constructed in 1919 and demolished in 1982.[16] It had passenger service until April 30, 1971;[17] for several decades afterward,Amtrak'sTexas Eagle passed through De Soto without stopping. Amtrak announced in 2023 that it would add a De Soto stop to theTexas Eagle, pending agreements withUnion Pacific and construction of a platform, after the city government had campaigned for its inclusion.[16][18]
Public schools are run by the De Soto School District #73:
St. Rose of Lima School is the only private school in town run by St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.
The closest institution of higher education is inHillsboro, Missouri atJefferson College.
The town has a lending library, the De Soto Public Library.[19]
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