Located in the Hinds County, Jackson is the capital of the state of Mississippi. The city was named after Andrew Jackson, who was a general in the U.S. Army when the state was founded and named, and later went on to become the seventh president of the United States. Located south of the Yazoo River, Jackson is widely considered to be the southern border of the Mississippi Delta.
The city's population has decreased substantially in recent years, dropping from 184,256 in 2000 to its most recent number of 173,514 in 2010. Despite the decline, Jackson remains the most populated city in the state of Mississippi.
This guide will provide you with some helpful tips and information on just about everything you need to know if you're going to be making the move to Jackson. From the city's neighborhoods and school systems to the employment options and recreational activities available within the city, you'll find it all in this guide so that you can go into your move with the knowledge that is needed to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Jackson Climate
Jackson is located in a humid subtropical climate zone in the southern U.S., commonly characterized by a warm climate with short winters and long humid summers. The summer temperatures vary but can typically reach well into the 90s during the late summer months of July and August. Also, the late summer and early fall is usually the driest time of the year in Jackson.
The winters in Jackson are short and tend to be very mild, with temperatures rarely dipping below 50 degrees. Snow is a very rare occurrence in Jackson, as well as throughout the state of Mississippi. The precipitation in Mississippi tends to increase as you move from north to south.
Jackson Geography and Neighborhoods
Interestingly, the city of Jackson is located on top of an extinct volcano, named the Jackson Volcano. It is the only capital city in the United States to be located on top of a volcano, although there are three other cities that share the same unique feature, including Honolulu, Hawaii; Bend, Oregon; and Portland, Oregon. The city sits 2,900 above the volcano, which is located underground and has been extinct for an estimated 65 million years.
In recent years, the city of Jackson has invested a lot of money into revitalizing the downtown area, as well as West Jackson and South Jackson. An estimated $2 billion dollars of federal and local funding has been poured into the many development projects in the city in an attempt to rejuvenate the local economy.
Living Costs in the City
According to a Forbes Magazine survey, Jackson has ranked 3rd among the other 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. to be a "Bang for Your Buck" city. In terms of living costs, this means that Jackson is a fairly inexpensive city to live in. Although the economy is slowly recovering, the cost of living in Jackson is low compared to the national average and you'll find rent prices and real estate prices being slightly lower than other comparable cities. The median family income in Jackson is $43,463, which is lower when compared to the national average.
Registering Your Car
Upon your arrival in Mississippi after moving to the state permanently, you have a total of 30 days to update your registration and have your vehicle registered in the state before you may be required to pay a $250 penalty.
A Mississippi Driver's License can be obtained at any Mississippi DMV location. The state requires new Mississippi residents to update their license from their previous state to a Mississippi driver's license. If you fail to update your driver's license you may have to pay a fine. To apply for a driver's license if you are already in possession of an out of state license, you must provide proof of domicile in the state of Mississippi as well as proof of registration and insurance.
Jackson Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Jackson, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Mississippi. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Jackson Schools
The Jackson Public School District is the district that operates all 60 of the public schools in the city of Jackson, including 38 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, seven high schools and two special schools. There are also six private secondary schools located in the city, as well as five private primary schools.
Jackson is also home to a number of colleges and universities. Some of these include Belhaven University, Jackson State University, Reformed Theological Seminary, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Virginia College, Mississippi College, Mississippi College School of Law, Antonelli College, Millsaps College and Tougaloo College.
Jackson Employment
Some of the major industries that strengthen the economy of Jackson are electrical equipment and machinery manufacturing, processed food, and fabricated metal products. Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., Trustmark Corporation and Parkway Properties are a few of the companies that have their headquarters located in this region.
The local economy and job market is in a period of slow growth and the current unemployment rate is rather high, at 8.6 percent as of March 2013, on a slight decline from previous figures in 2011 and 2012, but still higher than most major cities. The job growth rate is also much lower than the national average, at -4.30 percent.
Public Transportation
The bus service that provides hourly transportation on the weekdays in and around the Jackson area is operated by the Jackson Transit System, or JATRAN. There is also an Amtrak station located in Jackson which provides passengers with service on the City of New Orleans line that connects Jackson to New Orleans, Louisiana and other locations in between. Jackson is served mainly by the Jackson-Evers International Airport and also by several major highways. Some of these include Interstate 20, 55 and 220, and U.S. Highway 49, 51 and 80.
Culture and Contemporary Life
The city of Jackson is known primarily for its music, which includes gospel, blues and R&B. There are several notable musicians who come from Jackson, and there are also many music venues located throughout the city featuring live music. Downtown Jackson has a number of attractions, museums and historic sites that are worth visiting, including the Jackson Zoo, the Alamo Theater, the Mississippi Museum of Art, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and the Mississippi Fairgrounds and Coliseum, which is actually located directly on top of the extinct Jackson Volcano.
In addition, the city hosts many festivals throughout the year such as the Crossroads Film Festival (April), the Mississippi State Fair (October), and CelticFest Mississippi (September).
Moving to Jackson
Whatever your reasons for moving to Jackson, whether it be for a change of scenery or for employment, the city beckons you with its charm. The first step in the process of moving to Jackson is choosing a moving company after first checking their BBB ratings, insurance and license. The moving rates are charged by the hour if you are moving within the state boundary, while for a long distance move the charges will depend on the total weight or volume in cubic feet of your belongings. In the latter case, you can ask about a flat rate or any special discounts that are available with the mover.