City profile · Mississippi · Census ACS 2023

Jackson, MS

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Jackson - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

149,827
Residents
$43,238
Median income
$108,200
Median home
$1,288
Median rent (state)

Jackson - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Jackson lands in the 11th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

11th
percentile, household income
12th
percentile, home value
45th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Jackson, MS

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 149,827 residents in Jackson, a mid-sized U.S. city within Mississippi. Median household income here is $43,238 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 20.9%. Jackson's housing stock carries a median value of $108,200, and the median resident age is 34.7 years. Educational attainment runs 28.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 54.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 50 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 85% from five years earlier. The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 65.4°F with 57.4 inches of precipitation per year and 1.0 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Mississippi run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Mississippi scores 87.0 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,288 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $223 across Mississippi, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Jackson report an average commute of 18.6 minutes, with 75.1% driving alone and 8.1% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 94.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

149,827 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Mississippi

Median Household Income

$43,238 /yr

Poverty 20.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.0 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Mississippi average

How does Jackson compare to other US cities?

Where Jackson sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 11% higher than other cities
Home value 12% pricier than other cities
Median rent 45% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Jackson against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Mississippi only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Mississippi-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent is Jackson's strongest outlier among Mississippi cities

Among the 395 Mississippi cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Jackson ranks #1 - the 94th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Jackson only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#191 of 345
45th percentile in Mississippi
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 395
94th percentile in Mississippi
Median Home Value
#179 of 348
49th percentile in Mississippi
Poverty Rate
#157 of 393
60th percentile in Mississippi
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#70 of 394
82nd percentile in Mississippi

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Mississippi only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

11thIncome percentile

11th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Jackson's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$108,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 88% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Jackson $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Jackson, MS Jackson, MS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Jackson, MS-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Jackson, MS median $43,238/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Jackson, MS's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Jackson, MS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 20.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
149,827
Median Income
$43,238
Median Home Value
$108,200
Median Age
34.7
Poverty Rate
20.9%
Labor force participation
54.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.6%

Climate

Avg Temperature
65.4°F
Annual Precipitation
57.4"
Annual Snowfall
1.0"

Schools

Total Schools
58
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
140,000 residents145,000 residents150,000 residents155,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 153,025 residents 141,196 residents ▼ -7.7%
Jackson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
50
housing units authorized
Single-Family
37
detached homes
Multifamily
13
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 330
2020 15
2021 11
2022 50
2023 39
2024 50

Permit volume decreased 85% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.6 minutes
Drive Alone
75.1%
Carpool
14.2%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
8.1%
Other
0.6%

Based on 63,056 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Mississippi - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$135
avg/month
Natural Gas
$50
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$38
avg/month
Total Utilities
$223
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Mississippi state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Mississippi state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Jackson sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.0
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,288/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
94.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Mississippi

Gulfport
72,533 people
Southaven
55,531 people
Biloxi
49,011 people
Hattiesburg
48,507 people
Olive Branch
46,538 people
Tupelo
37,825 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Jackson's 149,827 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Joliet, IL
149,785 people
Escondido, CA
149,913 people
Surprise, AZ
149,519 people
Naperville, IL
149,424 people
Pasadena, TX
149,345 people
Mesquite, TX
148,848 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Jackson's $43,238 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Decatur, AR
$43,239 median income
Barnwell, SC
$43,239 median income
Lancaster, SC
$43,234 median income
Moberly, MO
$43,231 median income
Hooven, OH
$43,229 median income
Daniel, WY
$43,229 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Jackson, MS Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Jackson, MS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 14.5% 81.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.2% White 14.5% Black or African American 81.8% Asian 0.3% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 2.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Jackson compares to nearby Mississippi cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Jackson (this city) 149,827 $43,238
Gulfport 72,533 $46,044
Southaven 55,531 $76,159
Biloxi 49,011 $55,958
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MS NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Jackson, MS?

What is the population of Jackson, MS? +

The population of Jackson, MS stands at 149,827 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Jackson, MS? +

In Jackson, the typical household earns $43,238 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Jackson? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Jackson; the closest available measure is the Mississippi state average, a cost of living index of 87.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Mississippi vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Jackson, MS? +

The median home value in Jackson is $108,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Jackson? +

The average annual temperature in Jackson runs 65.4°F, 57.4 inches of precipitation, and 1.0 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.