De Soto Parish, Louisiana Demographics 2026

Population Overview

De Soto Parish is located in Louisiana with a total population of 26,897. It is the 36th most populous county out of 64 in Louisiana.

Age Demographics

The median age in De Soto Parish is 40.1 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 37.8 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in De Soto Parish is $46,077. This is 23% lower than the state median of $60,023. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.8%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 6.1%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $150,700. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $208,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 75.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in De Soto Parish is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 34.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.

Education

14.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 26.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.0%.