Desoto Lakes, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Desoto Lakes, Florida had a total population of 1,735, the 704th largest community in Florida, with a median household income of $76,417, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.5% is notably above the national average.
Desoto Lakes Quick Facts
How Desoto Lakes Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,193 | 1,735 | -20.9% |
| Median household income | $72,083 | $76,417 | +6.0% |
| Median home value | $332,700 | $357,700 | +7.5% |
How Desoto Lakes Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Desoto Lakes Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Sarasota County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Port | 84,605 | $84,049 | 6.7% | $362,500 |
| Sarasota | 56,970 | $72,105 | 15.0% | $463,000 |
| Lakewood Ranch | 43,945 | $122,925 | 7.4% | $678,200 |
| Venice | 27,479 | $76,755 | 9.2% | $434,700 |
| Englewood | 20,091 | $69,222 | 8.5% | $339,900 |
| South Venice | 17,484 | $77,097 | 12.5% | $337,300 |
| Palmer Ranch | 16,867 | $102,838 | 6.9% | $592,900 |
| Fruitville | 15,172 | $82,246 | 8.6% | $412,500 |
| Sarasota Springs | 12,611 | $95,688 | 12.7% | $349,100 |
| Laurel | 11,741 | $92,340 | 5.6% | $478,900 |
Cities Similar to Desoto Lakes
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocala Estates | 1,705 | N/A | $152,900 | 5.5% | 26.4% |
| Christmas | 1,696 | $73,224 | $299,300 | 31.7% | 17.9% |
| Patrick AFB | 1,644 | $76,250 | N/A | 48.0% | 15.4% |
| Greenville | 1,650 | $70,125 | $63,200 | 10.1% | 23.1% |
| Chiefland | 1,909 | N/A | $167,700 | 11.8% | 25.5% |
Population Overview
Desoto Lakes is a small community located in Florida, within Sarasota County. The total population is 1,735. It ranks as the 704th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Desoto Lakes is 41.1 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Desoto Lakes is $76,417. This is 2% higher than the state median of $74,568. It is also 5% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.1%. This is 124% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.5%. This is 76% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $357,700. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 66.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Desoto Lakes is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 31.1%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 14.6%.
Education
21.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Desoto Lakes, Florida is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Florida state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 955 Census-designated places in Florida. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Desoto Lakes, Florida?
Desoto Lakes, Florida has a population of 1,735 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Desoto Lakes, FL?
The median household income in Desoto Lakes is $76,417, which is 5% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Desoto Lakes, FL?
The poverty rate in Desoto Lakes is 28.1%. This means approximately 488 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Desoto Lakes, Florida?
Desoto Lakes's population is 63.2% White, 1.9% Black, 31.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Desoto Lakes, FL?
The median home value in Desoto Lakes is $357,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Desoto Lakes, Florida?
21.6% of adults (25+) in Desoto Lakes hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.