Northern Mississippi - Desoto County
One of the fastest growing counties in the United States lies
just south of the state line in Desoto County, Mississippi. The towns of Southaven, Horn
Lake, Hernando and Olive Branch have consistently grown as more and more Memphians
discover their enticing combination of small town charm, low real estate taxes and an
innovative school system.
The county was named after Hernando Desoto, the Spanish
explorer who visited the Mississippi River Valley in 1542. Desoto County was mainly an
agricultural area until developers began tapping into its potential in the 1960s. Today,
it boasts a population of about 80,000 an has an enviable combination of the highest
median income and the highest employment rate in Mississippi. It also has the lowest per
capita state and local taxes in the nation.
There's plenty of new housing in the area. The largest
recreational area is Arkabutla Lake southwest of Hernando. The Southaven Spring Festival
is a large, annual event.
