Population197,918 (2025 est.)
Southern Metro Communities Between Lowlands and Hills
DeSoto County, MississippiDeSoto County combines Memphis-area communities with a landscape that changes from western lowlands to eastern hill country. Hernando, Southaven, Horn Lake, and Olive Branch offer distinct local centers. The county’s nineteenth-century cotton history and later metropolitan growth belong to different chapters of the same place. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 197,918 residents in DeSoto County, Mississippi, on July 1, 2025.
DeSoto County at a Glance
Population197,918 (2025 est.)
County SeatHernando
Largest CitySouthaven
Established1836
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water496 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesInterstate 55; Interstate 69; Interstate 269; U.S. Route 51; U.S. Route 61
Area CodesVaries by community
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover DeSoto County
DeSoto County
DeSoto County was established in 1836, with an original territory that also included land later assigned to Tate County in 1873. Both the county and its seat, Hernando, were named for Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. Western lowlands developed into cotton plantation country during the nineteenth century, while the eastern area has a hillier setting. Later metropolitan growth added another chapter, connecting several county communities with the wider Memphis region across the state line.
Hernando, Southaven, Horn Lake, and Olive Branch give DeSoto County several substantial community centers. Interstate connections link the area with Memphis, but the county also has its own municipal identities and a changing landscape from lowlands to hills. Choosing a specific community helps narrow a visit or local search. The county boundary matters as well: its metropolitan connections cross into Tennessee, while these communities remain part of Mississippi.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
DeSoto County combines Memphis-area communities with a landscape that changes from western lowlands to eastern hill country. Hernando, Southaven, Horn Lake, and Olive Branch offer distinct local centers.
Community History
DeSoto County was established in 1836, with an original territory that also included land later assigned to Tate County in 1873.
Around the County
Interstate connections link the area with Memphis, but the county also has its own municipal identities and a changing landscape from lowlands to hills.
Local identities endure across a connected metropolitan landscape.
A Closer Look
DeSoto County
Places and perspectives from DeSoto County
DeSoto County headlines via Google News
Sherry Annette Burchett Obituary (1960 - 2026) - Hernando, MS - WMC - Legacy | Obituary
Sherry Annette Burchett Obituary (1960 - 2026) - Hernando, MS - WMC Legacy | Obituary
Read the Story Nov 3, 2026 • 2 min read
Around DeSoto County
Stories from every corner of DeSoto County.
Sherry Annette Burchett Obituary (1960 - 2026) - Hernando, MS - WMC - Legacy | Obituary
Sherry Annette Burchett Obituary (1960 - 2026) - Hernando, MS - WMC Legacy | Obituary
Nov 3, 2026 • 2 min read
Hernando Chamber introduces real estate professional Taylor Phillips - DeSoto County News
Hernando Chamber introduces real estate professional Taylor Phillips DeSoto County News
Nov 3, 2026 • 2 min read
Mississippi Voter Guide 2026: Everything you need to know about the Midterm Election - localmemphis.com
Mississippi Voter Guide 2026: Everything you need to know about the Midterm Election localmemphis.com
Nov 3, 2026 • 2 min read
Where to vote in Mississippi for 2026 election - localmemphis.com
Where to vote in Mississippi for 2026 election localmemphis.com
Nov 3, 2026 • 2 min read
Mississippi News Report — Monday, Nov 2: Voter Purge, Prison Fine - Tippah News
Mississippi News Report — Monday, Nov 2: Voter Purge, Prison Fine Tippah News
Nov 3, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Hernando High School – High; grades 09-13. 805 DILWORTH LANE, HERNANDO, MS 38632. 662-429-4170.
Horn Lake Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-02. 6341 RIDGEWOOD RD., HORN LAKE, MS 38637. 662-393-4608.
Hernando Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-01. 455 Riley Street, Hernando, MS 38632. 662-429-4160.
Hernando Middle School – Middle; grades 06-08. 700 Dilworth Lane, Hernando, MS 38632. 662-429-4154.
Horn Lake Intermediate School – Elementary; grades 03-05. 6585 Horn Lake Road, Horn Lake, MS 38637. 662-280-7075.
Lake Cormorant Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 3285 WILSON MILL RD WEST, LAKE CORMORANT, MS 38641. 662-781-1135.
Lake Cormorant High School – High; grades 09-13. 10201 Starlanding Rd, Lake Cormorant, MS 38641. 662-996-3060.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Methodist Healthcare – Olive Branch Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 4250 Bethel Road, Olive Branch, MS 38654. 662-932-9000.
Baptist Memorial Hospital Desoto – Acute Care Hospitals. 7601 Southcrest Parkway, Southaven, MS 38671. 662-772-4000.
Parkwood Behavioral Health System – Psychiatric. 8135 Goodman Road, Olive Branch, MS 38654. 662-895-4900.
Public Safety
Emergency Services
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Hernando Public Library – 370 West Commerce Street, Hernando, MS 38632. 662-429-4439.
M. R. Dye Public Library – 2885 Goodman Road, Horn Lake, MS 38637. 662-393-5654.
B. J. Chain Public Library – 6619 Highway 305 North, Olive Branch, MS 38654. 662-895-5900.
M. R. Davis Public Library – 8554 Northwest Drive, Southaven, MS 38671. 662-342-0102.
Walls Public Library – 7181 Delta Bluff Parkway, Walls, MS 38680. 662-781-3664.
Courts
DMV
Mississippi — Motor Vehicle Record (Driving Record)
Mississippi — Duplicate License
Mississippi — Regular Driver License – Light Commercial – Class D
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know DeSoto County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
DeSoto County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
197,918 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
495.742 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Employment, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Courts, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Garbage & Recycling, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Elections, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Sheriff’s Office, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Emergency Services, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Closed for Veterans’ Day, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with these official Mississippi resources: Motor Vehicle Record (Driving Record); Duplicate License; Regular Driver License – Light Commercial – Class D. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving DeSoto CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving DeSoto County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.DeSoto County