City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Jackson, MI

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.

31,206
Residents
$42,848
Median income
$94,700
Median home
$1,165
Median rent (state)

Jackson - the verdict

Nationally, Jackson sits in the 10th percentile for household income and the 4th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

10th
percentile, household income
8th
percentile, home value
33rd
percentile, median rent
4th
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, MI

31,206 people live in Jackson, Michigan - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Jackson households earn a median of $42,848 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 18.7%. Jackson's housing stock carries a median value of $94,700, and the median resident age is 34.9 years. About 15.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 54.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 152 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Growing), up 15% from five years earlier. Jackson's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 4797.5 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Michigan at 96.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,165 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $238 across Michigan, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Jackson report an average commute of 15.4 minutes, with 76.5% driving alone and 6.9% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 76.5 out of 100 (High).

Population

31,206 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$42,848 /yr

Poverty 18.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan 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 10% higher than other cities
Home value 8% pricier than other cities
Median rent 33% pricier than other cities
Safety 4% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Michigan and the picture shifts: Jackson ranks #247 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile 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 Michigan, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

10thIncome percentile
4thSafety percentile

10th percentile nationally for median household income · 4th 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 31 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+)

$94,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 92% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $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, MI Jackson, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Jackson, MI-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, MI median $42,848/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, MI'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, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.3%

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

Population
31,206
Median Income
$42,848
Median Home Value
$94,700
Median Age
34.9
Poverty Rate
18.7%
Labor force participation
54.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4797.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1061.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3735.7
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
35
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
30,600 residents30,800 residents31,000 residents31,200 residents31,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 31,310 residents 31,022 residents ▼ -0.9%
Jackson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
152
housing units authorized
Single-Family
49
detached homes
Multifamily
103
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 132
2020 1
2021 2
2022 2
2023 4
2024 152

Permit volume increased 15% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
15.4 minutes
Drive Alone
76.5%
Carpool
10.9%
Public Transit
1.5%
Walk
3.1%
Work from Home
6.9%
Other
1.1%

Based on 13,004 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$238
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Michigan 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 Michigan 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
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,165/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
76.5 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Bay City
32,445 people
Southgate
29,551 people
Burton
29,529 people
Oak Park
29,370 people
Port Huron
28,724 people
Forest Hills
28,494 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Jackson's 31,206 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Santa Paula, CA
31,202 people
New Smyrna Beach, FL
31,212 people
Holladay, UT
31,236 people
Port Chester, NY
31,162 people
Sterling, VA
31,251 people
Haines City, FL
31,156 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Jackson's $42,848 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Pinon, AZ
$42,847 median income
Donora, PA
$42,851 median income
Hinton, WV
$42,852 median income
Port Barre, LA
$42,853 median income
Chickasaw, AL
$42,854 median income
Payne Springs, TX
$42,841 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Jackson, MI 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, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 65.7% 21.0% 11.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.3% White 65.7% Black or African American 21.0% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.7% Two or more races 11.0% 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 Michigan 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) 31,206 $42,848
Bay City 32,445 $47,904
Southgate 29,551 $64,635
Burton 29,529 $57,767
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Jackson, MI?

What is the population of Jackson, MI? +

Jackson, MI counts 31,206 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Jackson households earn a median of $42,848 annually, 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 Michigan state average, a cost of living index of 96.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Michigan vary by metro area.

Is Jackson, MI safe? +

Jackson has a total crime rate of 4797.5 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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, MI? +

The median home value in Jackson is $94,700, 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.