Jackson, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Jackson, Michigan had a total population of 31,058, the 35th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $44,558, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.1% is notably above the national average.
Jackson Quick Facts
How Jackson Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,206 | 31,058 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $42,848 | $44,558 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $94,700 | $103,200 | +9.0% |
How Jackson Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Jackson Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Center | 4,999 | $63,704 | 4.5% | $167,100 |
| Vandercook Lake | 4,375 | $59,262 | 7.0% | $136,600 |
| Spring Arbor | 2,275 | $63,631 | 4.4% | $225,000 |
| Grass Lake | 1,186 | $80,938 | 5.6% | $205,100 |
| Brooklyn | 1,180 | $56,324 | 9.0% | $200,000 |
| Concord | 1,118 | $60,625 | 13.5% | $176,800 |
| Vineyard Lake | 1,031 | $86,146 | 1.7% | $306,100 |
| Springport | 871 | $46,417 | 25.0% | $99,200 |
| Napoleon | 745 | $54,076 | 7.3% | $153,900 |
| Cement City | 629 | $52,708 | 24.8% | $104,500 |
Cities Similar to Jackson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay City | 32,320 | $49,420 | $97,600 | 18.8% | 19.1% |
| Port Huron | 28,620 | $50,366 | $149,300 | 18.1% | 22.6% |
| Hamtramck | 27,743 | $39,293 | $131,000 | 17.8% | 39.9% |
| Muskegon | 37,226 | $44,735 | $142,300 | 15.5% | 24.9% |
| Burton | 29,500 | $60,052 | $141,600 | 16.8% | 16.1% |
Population Overview
Jackson is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Jackson County. The total population is 31,058. It ranks as the 35th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jackson is 35.3 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Jackson is $44,558. This is 39% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.6%. This is 86% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.1%. This is 60% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $103,200. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Jackson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Jackson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.9%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
16.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Jackson, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Jackson, Michigan?
Jackson, Michigan has a population of 31,058 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Jackson, MI?
The median household income in Jackson is $44,558, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Jackson, MI?
The poverty rate in Jackson is 24.6%. This means approximately 7,487 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Jackson, Michigan?
Jackson's population is 63.2% White, 18.9% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Jackson, MI?
The median home value in Jackson is $103,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Jackson, Michigan?
16.1% of adults (25+) in Jackson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.