RANK #443 / 996 · POP 715,526 · MO
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.9%
Jackson County, Missouri, is perhaps best known as the home of Independence, a historically significant city that served as the starting point for the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails. Located in western Missouri on the Kansas border, Jackson County offers a mix of urban and suburban living. Commute times vary, but public transportation options like RideKC buses and specialized transit services are available in many areas, including Kansas City, Independence, and Lee's Summit. The county boasts an extensive park system, with over 21,000 acres, making it the third largest county parks system in the nation, providing abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as boating, camping, golfing, hiking, and fishing at its three major lakes: Jacomo, Longview, and Blue Springs.
Life in Jackson County draws a diverse population, including families and young professionals. Public schools in the county generally perform above average, with districts like Lee's Summit R-VII and Blue Springs R-IV receiving high ratings. The economy is driven by various sectors, including manufacturing, construction, and real estate. Recent economic developments include investments in infrastructure and new industrial projects, such as those in energy and advanced manufacturing.
Below national median
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.7x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
New Detention Facility
Jackson County, Missouri
|
$260M | Completed |
|
Raider Wind Project (Jackson & Martin Counties)
NextEra Energy
|
$225M | Proposed |
|
Jackson Battery/Storage
Unknown
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Truman Sports Complex Redevelopment
Jackson County, Missouri
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Woodlawn Estates, Woodhaven Estates, Sunny Pointe Villas, The Woodlands at Chapman Farms, The Communities of Green Hills (Residential Developments)
Ashlar Homes
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Jackson County has a Boom Town Index score of 56/100, ranking #443 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.0% and a median household income of $65,169, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Jackson County is $196,900 with median rent at $1,096/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.331, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.0%. Home values changed +1.1% in the past 12 months.