De Soto is a city in Sumter County, Georgia, United States. The population was 214 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Americus micropolitan statistical area.

History

The Georgia General Assembly incorporated the place in 1889 as the "Town of De Soto". The community is named for Hernando de Soto, the explorer who discovered the Mississippi River.

Geography

De Soto is located at 31.95472°N, -84.0675°W (31.954674, -84.067633). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 sqmi, all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 214 people, 78 households, and 53 families residing in the city. By 2020, its population was 124.

Politics

In 2010, the city was cited by the Georgia Secretary of State's office for failing to hold regular elections in 2009, as well as being unable to document any elections from 2005 through 2007. A De Soto councilmember apologized by saying that the city simply "forgot" about the need to hold an election. Facing a number of state violations, the city promised to remedy the situation permanently by outsourcing the elections process to a third party. The state provided that the 2009 election must be held by March 2010.