City Town Info

Jackson, MI


  • Overview
  • Almanac
  • People
  • Local
  • Schools
  • Comments

Jackson, Michigan

Introduction to Jackson, Michigan

Jackson is situated in the south central portion of Michigan in Jackson County. It was established in 1829 and was named in tribute to President Andrew Jackson. The city is recognized as the place of origin for the Republican Party. The region features hundreds of lakes and is well known for its numerous, quality golf courses. Golf Digest rated Jackson as one of the best values for golfing.

History

Due primarily to its central location, the railroad was constructed in Jackson in 1841. The town became a prominent rail station with six railroads running through it and containing ten switching and repair facilities. In 1854 the establishment of the Republican Party occurred in the city. It was created to prevent the spreading of slavery. The local Underground Railroad provided assistance to slaves who had escaped. By 1901 Jackson became an important location for the manufacturing of automobile parts and by 1910 the automobile industry was the major factor for the economy.

Attractions and Culture

The nearby Michigan International Speedway hosts several NASCAR races. The Pioneer wine making area is popular with tourists. Its scenic landscape consists of rolling hills and numerous lakes. The Michigan Theatre features Spanish Renaissance architecture and is recognized as one of the superb theaters in Michigan. The George E. Potter Center is a prominent venue for a wide variety of cultural events such as Broadway shows, quality national and international shows and well known entertainers. The city is home to the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, the Croswell Opera House and the Michigan Shakespeare Festival.

Museums and Historic Sites

  • The Carnegie Library Building features Neoclassical architecture and is included in the National Register of Historic Places.
  • The Conklin Reed Organ and History Museum showcases a vast number of functional antique reed organs and visitors usually have an opportunity to listen to organ music.
  • Waterloo Area Farm and Museum offers visitors a chance to experience the life of the early pioneers.
  • Whistle Stop Park Depot is an historic Romanesque train station.
  • Under the Oaks.
  • Ye Olde Carriage Shop.
  • Gerald E. Eddy Geology Center.
  • Walker Tavern Complex.
  • Ella Sharp Museum Galleries.

Activities

Jackson is a major location for golf enthusiasts. It features numerous beautiful courses. The Optimist Arena provides opportunities for ice skating and hockey, including leagues for the young and for men. The Jackson Speedway/Kart Track is utilized for go-karting by amateurs and experienced competitive racers. Waterloo State Recreation Area is a large acreage and includes the popular Portage Lake Campground.

The Sparks Foundation County Park includes the famous Cascade Falls which are beautifully illuminated and often accompanied by music. The park is utilized for a wide variety of activities. Sharp Park hosts cultural activities, features an arboretum and includes cross-country skiing trails, flower gardens and nature trails. Jackson is home to a vast number of parks.

High Points

Jackson strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Michigan):

CategoryTrophy
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)
Top 6%Jackson Racial Diversity
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)
Top 9%Jackson Public Transportation Use
Affordability of Rents
(vs. Peers)
Top 12%Jackson Affordability of Rents
Affordability of Property Taxes
(vs. Peers)
Top 16%Jackson Affordability of Property Taxes

Comparative Profile of Jackson, MI

Comparing Jackson to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Michigan (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Children Under 5 Years Old1010
Female Share of the Population86
Racial Diversity710
Senior Citizens54
Male Share of the Population35
Well-Paid Single Men34
Age of the Population32

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Average Household Size56
Portion of People Married11

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
People in Middle Class or Better22
Median Family Income23
People Above Poverty21
College Educated Adults25

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Short Commute Times88
Walking and Biking to Work78
Public Transportation Use510
Working at Home44

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Affordability of Rents96
Affordability of Property Taxes99
People Living Alone87
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals78
Seasonal and Vacation Housing42
Housing Recently Built11

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Property Crime31
Low Violent Crime11
Detailed pages on related topics: Colleges in Jackson, Jackson mortgage and property, Jackson travel

You are visiting:
All StatesMichigan > Jackson

Find a school near you

Additional Details

Jackson CareersJackson Careers
Jackson career and employment information.
Jackson CollegesJackson Colleges
Jackson colleges and trade schools.
Jackson Hotels & TravelJackson Hotels & Travel
Jackson hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Jackson MortgageJackson Mortgage
Jackson property, mortgage, and real estate.

Career and College Resources on CityTownInfo

Real-World Career Reports

Career Stories from workers: daily activities, job tips, best/worst job aspects, training, etc.

Daily Career & Education News from our staff. We're an approved Google News provider!

Career References and Original Articles

Resource Center. A starting point for all CityTownInfo career and college resources.

Career Overviews of hundreds of careers: descriptions, salaries, forecasts, schools, more.

Best Careers Not Requiring Degrees: Good pay, job growth, low need for degrees.

Helpful Articles, many in "how-to" format; e.g., "How to Become a Chef".

College Directories and Lists

These lists link to thousands of detailed school profiles.

Colleges by State. Nearly every college and trade school in the country.

Colleges Listed Alphabetically. About 7,000 colleges & trade schools, including online schools.

Colleges by Major City. Browse cities with multiple college options.

Online Colleges. Colleges with online degree programs.

Graduate Schools by State. Colleges offering graduate degree programs.

Graduate Schools by Major City. Find cities with multiple graduate school options.

Places Similar to Jackson

We've crunched the numbers to create PlaceMatch™, which compares thousands of cities and towns to find the places most similar to each.

Find places similar to Jackson

Historic Jackson

photo

W.H. Jackson residence. between 1898 and 1905

Select a photo to view (Source):

W.H. Jackson residence. between 1898 and 1905

State prison (exterior) between 1915 and 1925

Prison yard between 1915 and 1925

Additional Resources


Large City Map

Info for Jackson Government Officials

Are you an official in the Jackson government or quasi-government agency such as the chamber of commerce, visitors bureau or economic development council? If so, visit our information page for government officials to see how CityTownInfo can support you.

Spread The Word

Webmasters & Bloggers: Please link to this page on Jackson. Just copy the HTML below and paste it into your web page or blog.


Copyright © QuinStreet, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Click to verify BBB accreditation and to see a BBB report.    TRUSTe online privacy certification