RANK #408 / 1001 NAT · #11 / 15 MS · POP 191,301
1YR FORECAST: -0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
DeSoto County, Mississippi, offers a blend of suburban living and natural beauty, often highlighted by locals for its proximity to Memphis, Tennessee, just a 25-35 minute commute away. The county seat, Hernando, features a historic courthouse square, while Olive Branch boasts an Old Towne district with shops and cafes. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with Arkabutla Lake in Hernando providing opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking, and hunting across 30,000 acres. Numerous parks throughout the county, like Olive Branch City Park and Southaven's Central Park, offer walking trails, playgrounds, and sports facilities. The community maintains a small-town feel despite its growth.
Life in DeSoto County appeals to families and young professionals seeking suburban amenities with access to a major metropolitan area. The public school system is highly rated, with Lewisburg High School ranking among the best in the state. Commute options include major interstates like I-55 and I-69, and a county-wide bus service is available. The economy is expanding, driven by sectors such as transportation, warehousing, and manufacturing, with a notable increase in data center investments. The area has seen growth in e-commerce and biomedical product distribution, benefiting from its access to major logistics hubs.
DeSoto County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.4% YoY, population +1.4%, wages +5.0%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 14.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
xAI Data Center (MACROHARDRR)
xAI (Elon Musk)
|
$20,000M | Under Construction |
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Delta Landing Mixed-Use Community
Undisclosed (Seller offering concessions)
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Crosswinds Planned Unit Development
Undisclosed
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
DeSoto County scores 59/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#408). Median household income is $85,297 and job growth is running at +0.7%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in DeSoto County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $269,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,451/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
DeSoto County's population is growing — up +1.4% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.7%). Home values shifted +1.4% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
Not particularly — 1.76% of DeSoto County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.