Demographics

Education

The DeSoto County Public School System is the second-largest in the State of Mississippi and maintains one of the state's lowest operating costs.  The system is a single consolidated entity governed by the County Superintendent and a five-member elected Board of Education.  DeSoto County also offers a variety of private and parochial schools from which to choose. Residents of DeSoto County who choose to educate their children at home will find a receptive environment in which to teach.  The State of Mississippi and DeSoto County only require that parents register their children at the beginning of each school year. The Mississippi Home School Association and local home school associations, such as the Hernando-Nesbit Association, are strong advocates and resources for families who make this choice.  DeSoto County houses a branch of one of Mississippi's largest community colleges, and residents are within easy commuting distance to several Mississippi and Tennessee public and private higher education institutions, including the internationally known University of Mississippi. There is a First Regional Library branch in each of the five cities in DeSoto County.

Government

The cities of Hernando, Horn Lake, Olive Branch, Southaven, and Town of Walls have Mayor-Board of Aldermen forms of government. DeSoto County is governed by a Board of Supervisors made up of one supervisor from each of five districts. The supervisors are elected by the citizens of DeSoto County and the board in turn elects their own president.

DeSoto County and the cities of Hernando, Horn Lake, Olive Branch, Southaven and Town of Walls each have a planning commission.  The county and these cities have adopted zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and building, plumbing, gas, electrical, fire codes and architectural ordinances. Flood plans and flood plain ordinances have also been adopted by the county and these five cities. There is a county-wide comprehensive zoning plan in place.

Quality of Life

Quality of life is that competitive edge that makes or breaks an area's ability to attract and retain the best industry, the best employees and the best neighbors.  And in DeSoto County, we have it!  DeSoto County enjoys the "best of both worlds" being so near the cultural and recreational amenities of metropolitan Memphis, yet offering a secure suburban environment with affordable housing costs.

DeSoto County is one of the fastest growing counties in the Mid-South area.  There are a wide range of social, religious, recreation, and outdoor and community activities.  The county's residential neighborhoods, apartment complexes, medical and retail facilities are all expanding, while education remains a strong part of the community.

Business Environment

DeSoto County offers a number of incentives for new and expanding industry, including:

  • A Right-To-Work Law in the state constitution.
  • Northern Mississippi Foreign Trade Zone.
  • No sales tax on purchases of raw materials, processing chemicals, or packaging materials.
  • Partial (50%) sales tax exemptions for purchases of construction materials, machinery and equipment in DeSoto County.
  • A 1.5% sales tax on machinery and parts used directly in manufacturing and on industrial electricity, natural gas, and fuels.
  • Favorable unemployment insurance rates and workers’ compensation rates.
  • State-sponsored bond financing programs for land, building and new equipment that includes income tax credits and sales and use tax exemptions.
  • Favorable individual and corporate income tax rates.
  • State income tax credits for five years of 2.5% of payroll with the creation of 20 or more jobs.
  • Five-year state income tax credits of $1,000 for each new R&D job created.
  • Companies establishing or transferring regional or national headquarters to Mississippi may be eligible for five-year state income tax credits of $1,000 for each new job created and full sales tax exemptions for direct purchases of construction materials, machinery, and equipment for the headquarters facility.
  • 10 Year exemptions from county and city property taxes, except school taxes and road and bridge taxes.
  • Perpetual exemptions of all property taxes on finished goods distributed outside of the state through a Free Port Warehouse Law.
  • Customized industrial training programs provided through the Northwest Mississippi Community College.
  • Utility companies offer discounts on telephone and electric rates to eligible companies.
  • Quarterly rebate payments through a diversion of withholding taxes for certain qualified businesses.

Browse detailed workforce statistics, city demographics and available buildings and sites.

Utilities

DeSoto County is well-equipped to provide support services for its expanding business and industrial growth, as well as its residential population. Both industrial and private users have come to expect a high quality of services that enhance the quality of life in DeSoto County. 

Three companies supply electrical power to DeSoto County. Northcentral Electric Power Association provides service to the eastern area of the county, including Olive Branch. Entergy Corporation supplies service to the areas of the county that include Hernando, Horn Lake, and Southaven. A portion of the western side of DeSoto County, including the Walls area, is serviced by Coahoma Electric.  Atmos Energy provides natural gas service to the majority of the county, while the City of Olive Branch provides natural gas to its residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Each municipality provides water and sewer services to its residential, commercial, and industrial customers. AT&T provides telecommunications services to the majority of DeSoto County, while CenturyLink provides service to the eastern portion of the county, including Olive Branch. ACCESS is also a competitive local exchange company in DeSoto County.

Logistics/Transportation

DeSoto County is an ideal transportation and logistics center, located within 500 miles of 70% of the nation's population. While there are no major ports located within DeSoto County, the Port of Memphis is located 15 miles away in neighboring Tennessee. The Port of Memphis is the fourth-largest inland port in the United States, and ranks number one in the nation in foreign import tonnage.  More than 30 international freight forwarders operate in Memphis. DeSoto County is home to three interstate highways - I-55, I-69, and I-22.  BNSF Railway and CNIC serve as the county's rail lines. All six Class I rail systems serve Memphis, Tennessee, and all have intermodal yards in Memphis or West Memphis, Arkansas. An Intermodal SuperTerminal will be located on 1000 acres in Southwest Memphis near DeSoto County and will consolidate five Class I rail yards.

The Olive Branch Airport is the second-busiest airport in the State of Mississippi. The airport has a 6000-foot paved and lighted runway and also offers charter service. The Memphis International Airport in Memphis, Tennessee, is six miles from DeSoto County and has seven major airlines, three commuter airlines, and more than 300 daily passenger flights. Daily direct flights to Amsterdam are available on KLM. Memphis is also the number one cargo hub in the world-it is home to the FedEx Super Hub, a major UPS hub, and an RPS sort facility. Drop off shipments can be made to FedEx as late as 11:00 p. m. for next-day delivery.

For More information

In-depth statistics can be found at the DeSoto County Economic Council Website.