1st Advantage MortgageThe median DeSoto County household earns $54,417, and 24% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of DeSoto County
- Household income in DeSoto County
- Housing costs in DeSoto County
- How DeSoto County residents earn a living
- DeSoto County towns compared
- The counties around DeSoto County
- DeSoto County households compared
- Reading the DeSoto County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income at DeSoto County's medians
- Checklist for DeSoto County applicants
- Lender oversight for DeSoto County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of DeSoto County
Roughly 35,386 residents live in DeSoto County, Florida, 49th by population among the state's 67 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 637 square miles, that is close to 56 residents for every square mile of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, DeSoto County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 2 Census places inside DeSoto County, Arcadia leads by population with about 7,707; 1 of the 2 are incorporated.
Household income in DeSoto County
The median household income in DeSoto County is $54,417; statewide it is $74,568, so DeSoto County runs 27% below Florida as a whole.
| Household income | DeSoto County | vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.0% | +12.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.0% | +6.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.7% | -10.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.3% | -8.7 pts |
Some 35% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 18% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 24.1%, 11 points higher than the state's 12.6%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.442 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in DeSoto County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Housing costs in DeSoto County
Renters in DeSoto County pay a median of $932 a month, 44% below the Florida figure of $1,669. 46% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 26% spend half or more. With a median value of $174,100, a typical DeSoto County house costs 3.2 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 73%. Median construction year: 1990.
| Cost | DeSoto County | Florida figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $932/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $174,100 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 35% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 31.8% | 8.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 19% | 15% | n/a |
Because most DeSoto County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
How DeSoto County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of DeSoto County residents, by industry, is construction at 18% of workers, followed by education and health care (17%). Construction stands out: 18% of workers here, versus 8% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 9.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 30% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | DeSoto County share | +/- vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 18.2% | +10.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 16.7% | -4.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 13.5% | -0.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | -0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.8% | -1.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.3% | +6.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in DeSoto County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
DeSoto County towns compared
The table lists the 2 largest of 2 Census places in DeSoto County, by population. Together all 2 hold about 15,262 people, so roughly 57% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcadia | city | 7,707 | $39,677 | $956 | 4 mi |
| Southeast Arcadia | CDP | 7,555 | $60,169 | $939 | 3 mi |
The counties around DeSoto County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 41 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than DeSoto County; Sarasota County is highest at $83,416 and Glades County lowest at $45,870.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeSoto County | - | $54,417 | $932/mo | 73% |
| Hardee County, FL | 21 mi | $60,489 | $962/mo | 71% |
| Charlotte County, FL | 23 mi | $69,952 | $1,464/mo | 84% |
| Highlands County, FL | 30 mi | $54,897 | $1,035/mo | 79% |
| Sarasota County, FL | 38 mi | $83,416 | $1,818/mo | 77% |
| Manatee County, FL | 41 mi | $78,457 | $1,671/mo | 74% |
| Glades County, FL | 41 mi | $45,870 | $886/mo | 85% |
DeSoto County households compared
11% of DeSoto County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 19.9%, against 11.5% for Florida.
| Residents | DeSoto County | Florida | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.5 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 10.8% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 26.5% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 19.9% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.5% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.7% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 24.1% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.5% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of DeSoto County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.0% |
| 60+ min | 18.9% |
Reading the DeSoto County data as a borrower
Based on the DeSoto County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in DeSoto County. For the 20% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Keeping the car running. At 30% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent DeSoto County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 32% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Assistance before credit. With a 24% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any DeSoto County loan.
Debt-to-income at DeSoto County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a DeSoto County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,535 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $932, takes 21% of that
- Under a 40% cap, $1,814 total minus rent leaves $882
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Checklist for DeSoto County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the DeSoto County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Florida borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Lender oversight for DeSoto County
Consumer lenders serving DeSoto County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Florida that is the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Florida guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
The Florida guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical DeSoto County household make?
About $54,417 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 27% below the Florida median.
Is DeSoto County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $932 against $1,669 statewide, and 46% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in DeSoto County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 73% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small DeSoto County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Arcadia, Southeast Arcadia.
Are DeSoto County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.