Jackson Community Information

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Jackson is a city located in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Jackson County, Michigan6. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 36,316. It is the principal city of and is included in the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area.

It was founded in 1827, and named after Democratic President Andrew Jackson.

 Jackson History

On July 3, 1829, Horace Blackman, accompanied by Alexander Laverty, a land surveyor, and an Indian guide forded the grand river and made camp for the night at what is now Trail and S. Jackson Street. They arrived in Jackson on a well-traveled Indian trail leading west from Ann Arbor. Blackman hired Laverty and Pewytum to guide him west. Blackman returned to Ann Arbor and then Monroe and registered his claim for 160 acres at two dollars an acre. Blackman returned to Jackson in August, 1829, with his brother Russell. Together they cleared land and built a cabin, built on the corner of what would become Ingham and Trail streets. The town was first called Jacksonopolis. Later, it was renamed Jacksonburgh. Finally, in 1838 the town's name was changed to simply Jackson.

Jackson Economy

Several of the major employers in the city are CMS Energy, which provides natural gas and electrical services to much of Michigan and has its international headquarters in the city, as well as Foote Hospital. Michigan Automotive Compressor, Inc. (MACI) is the largest manufacturer in the County. Jackson is also home to Southern Michigan Prison, once the largest walled prison in the world, and now one of the world's largest maximum-security prisons List of Michigan state prisons, which provides employment to many area residents.

Jackson Schools

The Jackson urbanized area is home to approximately 16 different elementary public schools, as well as about 16 private or parochial schools. It also has a large public middle school (The Middle School at Parkside), as well as Jackson Catholic Middle School. Finally, it also boasts seven high schools: Jackson High School (Public), East Jackson High School (Public), Jackson County Western High School (Public), Northwest High School (Public), The daVinci Institute (Charter), Jackson Christian School (Private, Non-Denom), and Lumen Christi High School (Private, Catholic).

Education continues for adults who can take advantage of programs offered at three institutions of higher learning: Jackson Community College (JCC), Baker College, and Spring Arbor University. There are an additional 15 institutions all within one hour of Jackson County.

Jackson Tourism

Just about every weekend during the summer you can find a festival in the area. Jackson County is host to over 500 holes of golf, 188 lakes and 27 public parks covering 17,000 acres (69 km˛). Ella Sharp Art & Wine Festival in June at the Ella Sharp Museum. Wheels of Thunder/Hogs and Dogs in June downtown Jackson. Relay for Life in August at the Cascade Falls Park. Jackson County Fair and Flower Festival in August at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. Cascades Civil War Muster in August at Cascade Falls Park. Rust 'n Dust at Heritage Park, Hanover in August. Rose Festival End of Summer Celebration/Speed Stacking Festival at the Cascade Falls Park in September. Eve on the Ave, downtown event on December 31.

Jackson Demographics

As of the census˛ of 2000, there were 36,316 people, 14,210 households, and 8,668 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,264.4/km˛ (3,274.9/mi˛). There were 15,241 housing units at an average density of 530.6/km˛ (1,374.4/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city was 73.87% White, 19.70% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.65% from other races, and 3.67% from two or more races. 4.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,210 households out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8% were married couples living together, 19.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,294, and the median income for a family was $39,072. Males had a median income of $31,957 versus $23,817 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,230. About 15.2% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.9% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.