Jackson : Mississippi

Jackson, located along the Pearl River, is named after President Andrew Jackson, and is the capital city and the cultural center of Mississippi. Affectionately called the “City with Soul”, it is known for its numerous musicians prominent in jazz, blues and gospel music.  Jackson’s history goes back to the Choctaw Nation who inhabited the land before they were moved to Oklahoma.  During the Civil War, the city was an important manufacturing center for the Confederate States, but was captured twice by the Union, and completely burnt down. Other important chapters in Jackson’s history involve the days of extended Prohibition from the 1920’s until the 1960’s, and more importantly, its role during the Civil Rights Movement and the Freedom Rides.  

Visitors today can experience the history of Jackson through the many museums and historical sites, including the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center and the Mississippi Blues Trail.  In 2013, Jackson was named one of the top 10 Friendliest Cities in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler, and has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the “Best Bang-for-the Buck Cities”.  As a retirement town, the Milken Report named Jackson in the top ten Best Cities for Successful Aging for people aged 65-79.  The popular movie The Help (2011) was filmed in Jackson. Photo of Lamar Life Building, downtown Jackson, courtesy of Wikipedia and Michlaovic (public domain).

According to the National Association of Realtors, the median price of a home in Jackson is $207,800 in the 1st quarter of 2021, up over 13% from a year earlier.

Jackson is a cultural center with several colleges, an array of museums, music venues, and both a historical and entertainment district.

Jackson can be hot and humid during the summer months, and it does have a high crime rate.

History buffs and those who want a large southern college town with a low cost of living may enjoy retiring here.

Jackson's economy is driven by both business and industry including finance, healthcare, and construction.

Jackson has an average January temperature of 45 degrees, and an average July temperature of 82 degrees.

Because of it's rich history, Jackson has many historical sites and museums including those that relive the city's role during the Civil War, Civil Rights and African-American struggles.  Farish Street is a fun entertainment and restaurant district with a history of the Blues heritage, and the Eudora Welty House is the home of Pulitzer Prize winner Eudora Welty where she wrote short stories and novels about the American South.

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame was named by ESPN as one of the top ten “Most Amazing Baseball Museums in America”.  Jackson hosts several events throughout the year including a popular Rhythm and Blues Festival each summer, and the Dixie National Rodeo which is held annually in February. The USA International Ballet Competition is held here every four years. Jackson is also home to over a dozen colleges and institutions of higher learning including Jackson State University and Millsaps College.