District 5
RANK #126 / 996 NAT · #6 / 15 MS · POP 143,721
1YR FORECAST: +0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +34%
Ocean Springs, a town known for its art community and walkable downtown, is a notable spot in Jackson County, Mississippi. Located at the southeastern tip of the state, Jackson County borders Alabama and is part of the Pascagoula Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county is about a three-hour drive from New Orleans, LA. Its landscape includes sandy soil and pine forests, with abundant outdoor recreation opportunities along its coastline, including beaches, boat ramps, and numerous parks like Franklin Creek Park. The Pascagoula River, one of the last undisturbed free-flowing rivers in the United States, also runs through the county.
Life in Jackson County often involves a connection to its coastal environment and a community feel. The public school districts, including Jackson County School District, are highly rated. Commuting within the county is primarily by car, though public transit options exist in the broader Jackson metropolitan area. The economy is significantly influenced by advanced manufacturing, with shipbuilding being a major industry. The Port of Pascagoula serves as a key economic driver, handling millions of tons of cargo annually. The county has also seen growth in other sectors, with ongoing investments in infrastructure and community amenities.
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.6x — 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
AWS Data Center Campuses (Madison County, impacting region)
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
|
$10,000M | Under Construction |
|
Soul City Solar Project (Hinds County, impacting region)
Apex Clean Energy
|
$396M | Proposed |
|
Delta Wind Farm (Tunica County, impacting region)
AES Clean Energy (for Amazon)
|
$350M | Operating |
|
PackEx USA Aluminum Bottling Facility
PackEx USA
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Pulse Industries Advanced Manufacturing Facility
Pulse Industries
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Jackson County ranks #126 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 87/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.4% and a median household income of $60,045 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Jackson County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $161,700, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,001/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Jackson County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.5% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.4% clip. Home values shifted -0.1% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.47% 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.