RANK #339 / 996 NAT · #28 / 36 MI · POP 160,637
1YR FORECAST: +1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
Jackson County, Michigan, known as the "Crossroads of Michigan," offers a blend of urban and rural living, situated about 75 miles west of Detroit. The county seat, the city of Jackson, holds a notable place in history as a significant stop on the Underground Railroad and the birthplace of the Republican Party. Commuting to nearby cities like Ann Arbor or Lansing typically takes around 30-45 minutes, with Interstate 94 and US 127 providing key routes. The area boasts abundant outdoor recreation, including thousands of acres of protected forests, numerous lakes for fishing and kayaking, and extensive trails for hiking and biking. It also has one of the highest concentrations of golf courses per capita in the United States.
Life in Jackson County appeals to families and those seeking a more relaxed pace, with a lower cost of living compared to national averages. The public schools in Jackson County are generally rated above average. The local economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in infrastructure and the expansion of advanced manufacturing and energy sectors. This has led to job creation and a focus on workforce development, attracting new businesses and supporting existing ones.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Jackson County Solar Project
Geronimo Power
|
$180M | Under Construction |
|
Grass Lake Solar Project
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$164M | Proposed |
|
Michigan Automotive Compressor, Inc. (MACI) Expansion
Michigan Automotive Compressor, Inc. (MACI)
|
$82M | Under Construction |
|
Jackson County Energy & Operational Efficiency Project (Phase I & Addendum)
Jackson County & Veregy
|
$36M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 66/100, Jackson County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $62,581 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in MI.
By national standards, Jackson County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $166,700, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $920/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Jackson County's job market is contracting (-1.3% YoY) while population is roughly stable (-0.1% change). Home values are +3.1% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.86% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Jackson County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.