DeSoto Township, Jackson County, Illinois

De Soto Township is one of sixteen townships in Jackson County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2010 census, its population was 2,388 and it contained 1,060 housing units.

History
De Soto Township is named for Hernando de Soto, the discoverer of the Mississippi River.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, the township has a total area of 37.94 sqmi, of which 36.79 sqmi (or 96.97%) is land and 1.15 sqmi (or 3.03%) is water.

Cities, towns, villages

 * De Soto

Unincorporated towns
(This list is based on USGS data and may include former settlements.)
 * Reeds Station at 37.77783°N, -89.16091°W
 * Ward at 37.85005°N, -89.23536°W

Adjacent townships

 * Elk Township (north)
 * Six Mile Township, Franklin County (northeast)
 * Carbondale Township (south)
 * Murphysboro Township (southwest)
 * Somerset Township (west)
 * Vergennes Township (northwest)

Cemeteries
The township contains these five cemeteries: Beasley, Central-Crews, De Soto, Howard and Indian Hill.

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 51.svg|25px]] U.S. Route 51
 * [[Image:Illinois 149.svg|25px]] Illinois Route 149

Airports and landing strips

 * Southern Illinois Airport

School districts

 * Elverado Community Unit School District 196
 * Herrin Community Unit School District 4

Political districts

 * Illinois's 12th congressional district
 * State House District 115
 * State Senate District 58