DeSoto County Map, Florida
Explore the definitive interactive map and reference guide to DeSoto County, Florida. With a population of 33,976 living across 637 square miles of land, DeSoto County is one of 5 counties in the Southwest Florida region. The county seat is Arcadia, and the county carries the FIPS identifier 12027 in U.S. Census and USGS datasets.
A rural, ranching county in Florida's inland southwest, DeSoto is defined by cattle ranches, citrus groves, and the Peace River. Arcadia is famed for its antique district and rodeos.
DeSoto County at a glance
A concise reference summary of DeSoto County's key statistics — useful for research, real estate, relocation, travel planning, GIS workflows, journalism, and civics education.
- Official name
- DeSoto County
- County seat
- Arcadia
- FIPS code
- 12027
- Region
- Southwest Florida
- Established
- 1887
- Named for
- Hernando de Soto, 16th-century Spanish explorer.
- Land area
- 637 sq mi
- Water area
- 2 sq mi
- Total area
- 639 sq mi
- Population (2020)
- 33,976
- Population density
- 53 / sq mi
- Time zone
- Eastern Time
Where is DeSoto County, Florida?
DeSoto County is located in the Southwest Florida region of Florida, one of 67 counties that make up the state. Its county seat, Arcadia, is the administrative hub — home to the courthouse, county commission chambers, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, and clerk of the circuit court.
The county spans a total of 639 square miles — 637 of land and 2 of water — and operates on Eastern Time. Federal agencies including the U.S. Census Bureau, USGS, and FEMA reference the county by its FIPS code, 12027, in datasets, boundary files, and hazard mapping.
DeSoto County shares borders with 6 neighboring counties: Hardee County, Highlands County, Glades County, Charlotte County, Sarasota County, Manatee County. Use the interactive map above to explore where those boundaries meet or jump directly to any neighboring county page for a side-by-side comparison.
DeSoto County geography & landscape
Flat prairie and slash-pine flatwoods drained by the Peace River, which cuts diagonally through the county.
The county's overall footprint — 637 square miles of land plus 2 square miles of water — places it in the mid-range of Florida's 67 counties by area. Elevation across most of Florida is modest, and land-use, drainage basins, and habitat corridors defined by state and federal agencies (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Water Management Districts) shape how growth and conservation coexist here.
Economy & industry in DeSoto County
Cattle, citrus, vegetables, phosphate transportation, and correctional employment.
Employment, tax base, and land use in DeSoto County reflect its location in Southwest Florida and its position in the state's middle tier of population. Economic development authorities, chambers of commerce, and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity publish updated employer and workforce data for the county on their portals.
History of DeSoto County
Split from Manatee County in 1887; several counties were later carved from it (Charlotte, Glades, Hardee, Highlands). Arcadia's historic downtown has been preserved after multiple 20th-century fires.
Established in 1887, DeSoto County is one of Florida's 19th-century counties. Its boundaries, seat, and government have evolved through territorial, statehood, Reconstruction, and modern eras — a lineage documented by the Florida Historical Society, the State Archives of Florida, and the DeSoto County Historical Commission or equivalent local body.
Tourism & things to do in DeSoto County
Arcadia Antique District, Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo, and Peace River fossil hunting.
Whether you're planning a weekend trip, a longer stay, or a day drive from a neighboring county, DeSoto County offers a mix of natural, cultural, and community attractions tied to its Southwest Florida identity. For the latest hours, admission fees, and seasonal events, check the county's official tourism development council and the Florida State Parks portal (floridastateparks.org).
Cities, towns & communities in DeSoto County
DeSoto County contains the following incorporated cities, towns, and notable census-designated places. Each municipality provides local services, zoning, and police protection within the broader county jurisdiction. Use the ZIP code lookupto jump between Florida counties instantly.
Getting to DeSoto County
Access routes and regional transportation infrastructure serving DeSoto County.
- US-17
- SR-70
- SR-72
- Arcadia Municipal
DeSoto County GIS, parcel & boundary data
DeSoto County's authoritative boundary lines, parcel data, zoning layers, flood zones, and land-use inventories are maintained by county government and state agencies. Use the official links in the sidebar for parcel lookups, appraiser searches, and record requests. For statewide GIS, the Florida Geographic Data Library (FGDL) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection publish downloadable layers keyed to FIPS 12027.
You can download this county's outline as SVG, PNG, or a printable PDF factsheet using the export tools in the sidebar — perfect for reports, presentations, classroom handouts, or planning documents.
Frequently asked about DeSoto County
Population figures reflect the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 decennial count with ACS 5-year updates where noted. Land and water areas come from the U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line boundary files. Highway designations use Florida Department of Transportation route inventories. County establishment dates and namesakes are drawn from the Florida Association of Counties and State Archives of Florida. See our methodology page.
Nearby Florida counties
Counties that share a border with DeSoto County. Click any to view its map, seat, cities, and full guide.