City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Jackson, CA

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.

5,061
Residents
$75,051
Median income
$432,600
Median home
$1,698
Median rent (state)

Jackson - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Jackson places in the 56th percentile for household income and the 33rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

56th
percentile, household income
80th
percentile, home value
67th
percentile, median rent
33rd
percentile, safety
📝 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, CA

5,061 people live in Jackson, California - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $75,051 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 3.7%. Jackson's housing stock carries a median value of $432,600, and the median resident age is 50.2 years. 20.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 45.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 95% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 1950.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, California scores 110.7 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,698 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts California's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 79.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

5,061 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$75,051 /yr

Poverty 3.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Jackson compare to other US cities?

Here's how Jackson stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 56% higher than other cities
Home value 80% pricier than other cities
Median rent 67% pricier than other cities
Safety 33% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at California, Jackson ranks #231 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Jackson's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in California, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

56thIncome percentile
33rdSafety percentile

56th percentile nationally for median household income · 33rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Jackson's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Jackson's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 39 Avg. percentile National median
Jackson's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Jackson's home value compares nationally

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

$432,600 20th percentile more affordable than 20% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $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, CA Jackson, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Jackson, CA-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, CA median $75,051/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, CA'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, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 45.5%

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

Population
5,061
Median Income
$75,051
Median Home Value
$432,600
Median Age
50.2
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Labor force participation
45.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1950.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
482.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1468.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,950 residents5,000 residents5,050 residents5,100 residents5,150 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,990 residents 5,100 residents ▲ +2.2%
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)
1
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 22
2020 3
2021 2
2022 12
2023 4
2024 1

Permit volume decreased 95% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.0%
Carpool
8.7%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
4.8%
Work from Home
3.8%
Other
1.3%

Based on 1,993 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California 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 California 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
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,698/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
79.2 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Running Springs
5,043 people
Big Bear Lake
5,038 people
Denair
5,085 people
Lakeport
5,085 people
Buellton
5,090 people
Myrtletown
5,028 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Jackson's 5,061 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Iowa Falls, IA
5,062 people
Savannah, MO
5,062 people
Sheridan, AR
5,063 people
Meridian, CO
5,058 people
Clarks Summit, PA
5,058 people
Tallassee, AL
5,056 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Jackson's $75,051 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Shoemakersville, PA
$75,050 median income
Newfane, NY
$75,049 median income
Rangely, CO
$75,044 median income
Plain View, NC
$75,058 median income
West Bend, WI
$75,043 median income
Holt, MO
$75,060 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Jackson, CA 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, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 77.7% 13.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 18.5% White 77.7% Black or African American 2.0% Asian 4.1% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.5% Two or more races 13.5% 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 California 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) 5,061 $75,051
Running Springs 5,043 $85,681
Big Bear Lake 5,038 $74,728
Denair 5,085 $97,468
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Jackson, CA?

What is the population of Jackson, CA? +

Jackson, CA has a population of 5,061 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Jackson runs $75,051, 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 California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is Jackson, CA safe? +

Jackson has a total crime rate of 1950.9 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

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

The median home value in Jackson is $432,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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 Editorial

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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.