De Soto is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States. The population was 915 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area. History De Soto got its start in the year 1868, following construction of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad through the territory. De Soto is the name of a railroad official. Geography De Soto is located at (41.531060, -94.008423). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. Demographics 2010 census As of the census of 2010, there were 1,050 people, 388 households, and 291 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 417 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.6% White, 0.7% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population. There were 388 households, of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.0% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.10. The median age in the city was 34.6 years. 28.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.2% were from 25 to 44; 24.9% were from 45 to 64; and 9.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.0% male and 49.0% female. 2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 1,009 people, 374 households, and 283 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 401 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 99.21% White, 0.10% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population. There were 374 households, out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them,