County · Tennessee
Jackson County, Tennessee
Jackson County, Tennessee. Jackson County had 12,466 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.3% since 2020, faster than Tennessee (+5.8%). It holds 2 places (1 city, village or borough and 1 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 47087.
Jackson County is one of the 4 counties of the Cookeville, TN micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,466
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,617 · ACS 2020-2024: 12,029
Median household income
$47,951
±$8,012 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$155,500
±$16,677 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$758
±$142 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
How many people live in Jackson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 11,617 residents in Jackson County. The Census Bureau estimates 12,466 for July 1, 2025, up 7.3% since 2020, faster than Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 12,029 over 309 square miles of land.
| Measure | Jackson County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 12,029 | 7,066,383 | +347 |
| Households | 4,795±198 | 2,824,277 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.47±0.10 | 2.45 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,854±17 | 3,143,670 | −53 |
Jackson County's population since 2000
From 10,984 in 2000 to 12,466 in 2025: up 13.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Jackson County?
Jackson County holds 2 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Dodson Branch with 1,425 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Dodson BranchGEOID 4720930 | 1,160 | $74,375 |
|---|---|---|
| Gainesboro | 920 | $51,923 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Jackson County?
The median resident of Jackson County is 46.9 years old; 18.3% are under 18 and 23.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.2%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.3%.
| Measure | Jackson County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.9±1.2 | 38.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.3%±0.6 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.3%±0.3 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.8% | 7.4% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.2%±1.2 pts | 71.0% | −3.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 15.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 1.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.3%±1.2 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.1%±1.0 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.6%±1.8 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 23.9%±2.9 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.4%±1.8 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.3%±2.9 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.0%±2.9 pts | 31.1% | +4.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.1%±1.3 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±1.0 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Jackson County earn?
Half of Jackson County's 4,795 households earn less than $47,951 a year (±$8,012), against $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 it was $43,329 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 20.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Jackson County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $47,951±$8,012 | $69,595 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $70,406±$6,919 | $96,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,172±$2,995 | $39,437 | +$4,282 |
| People below the poverty line | 20.3%±4.1 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.5%±9.4 pts | 18.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.8%±3.0 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.0%±4.2 pts | 89.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Jackson County?
Owners occupy 81.1% of Jackson County's occupied homes and renters 18.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $155,500 by its owner (±$16,677). The median renter pays $758 a month including utilities, and 39.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Jackson County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $155,500±$16,677 | $286,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $758±$142 | $1,189 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.4%±12.4 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,245±$101 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.1%±3.8 pts | 66.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,854±17 | 3,143,670 | −53 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.9 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.0%±4.4 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.3%±4.7 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 24.6%±4.2 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.1%±1.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.0%±1.9 pts | 5.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Jackson County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Jackson County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Jackson County get to work?
78.3% of Jackson County's workers drive alone and 9.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.6%.
| Measure | Jackson County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.4%±3.0 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.6%±2.3 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.3%±4.5 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.2%±3.7 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.8%±3.5 pts | 12.9% | +7.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.4 min±3.1 | 25.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Jackson County's census tracts?
Jackson County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $29,241 (Tract 9604) to $56,615 (Tract 9602).
| Tract 960147087960100 | 1,789±266 | $44,196 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960247087960200 | 2,697±378 | $56,615 |
| Tract 960347087960300 | 5,767±412 | $56,420 |
| Tract 960447087960400 | 1,776±256 | $29,241 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Jackson County compare with Tennessee's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 85th of 95 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 30th of 95 |
| Residents per square mile | 82nd of 95 |
| Median household income | 88th of 95 |
| Median home value | 80th of 95 |
| Median gross rent | 69th of 95 |
| Poverty rate | 15th of 95 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 67th of 95 |
| Median age | 10th of 95 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Jackson County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.