Climate

Monthly Average Temperature

(degrees Fahrenheit)

January 51 degrees

July 80 degrees

Annual Average Rainfall

65.56 inches

Geography

The average elevation in DeSoto Parish is 330 feet. The parish area is 877.3 square miles (561,449 acres). To the west, Dallas, Texas is a little over 3 hours (216 miles) away and Houston is just 222 miles away. Atlanta sits 644 miles east of DeSoto Parish. And Bourbon Street is 5 hours away; New Orleans is 314 miles from the parish.

Tax Structure

Property Tax

Throughout the state, land and residences are assessed at 10 percent of fair market value. All other property (i.e., industrial, commercial, personal and public service) is assessed at 15 percent of fair market value. A $75,000 homestead exemption is allowed on residence occupied by the owner.

Sales Tax

DeSoto Parish has a 4.0 percent sales tax. The sales tax is 4.0 percent statewide, and 1.0 percent in the municipal range.

DeSoto Parish Sales & Use Tax Commission

211 Crosby Street

P.O. Box 927

Mansfield, La. 71052

Phone (318) 872-3343

Fax (318) 872-5995

Sales and Use Tax Rates

Jurisdiction Local Rate:

Grand Cane 5%

Keatchie 5%

Logansport 5%

Mansfield 5%

South Mansfield 5%

Stonewall 5%

Balance of Parish 4%

State Income Tax

Returns are due May 15. The income tax schedule is as follows: first $10,000 – 2%; next $40,000 – 4%; more than $50,000 – 6%

Population