Jackson is a city in Clarke County, Alabama, United States. The population was 5,557 at the 2020 census. It was one of three wet settlements in an otherwise-dry county.

Geography

Jackson is located along the western border of Clarke County at coordinates 31°31′16″N 87°53′28″W / 31.521°N 87.891°W / 31.521; -87.891, on a rise overlooking east bank of the Tombigbee River. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.8 square miles (41.0 km), of which 15.6 square miles (40.5 km) is land and 0.19 square miles (0.5 km), or 1.21%, is water.

Jackson sits across the Tombigbee River from Washington County, Alabama.

Climate

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1900	1,039		—
1910	1,379		32.7%
1920	1,331		−3.5%
1930	1,828		37.3%
1940	2,039		11.5%
1950	3,072		50.7%
1960	4,959		61.4%
1970	5,957		20.1%
1980	6,073		1.9%
1990	5,819		−4.2%
2000	5,419		−6.9%
2010	5,228		−3.5%
2020	4,748		−9.2%
U.S. Decennial Census 2013 Estimate

2020

Jackson Racial Composition

Race	Num.	Perc.
White	2,379	50.11%
Black or African American	2,154	45.37%
Native American	20	0.42%
Asian	36	0.76%
Pacific Islander	1	0.02%
Other/Mixed	112	2.36%
Hispanic or Latino	46	0.98%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 4,748 people, 1,775 households, and 1,112 families residing in the city.

2010

At the 2010 census there were 5,228 people, 2,112 households, and 1,446 families living in the city. The population density was 334 inhabitants per square mile (129/km). There were 2,426 housing units at an average density of 153.5 per square mile (59.3/km). The racial makeup of the city was 54.9% White, 42.9% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4%.

Of the 2,112 households 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 17.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 29.4% of households were one person and 10.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.00.

The age distribution was 25.1% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% 65 or older. The median age was 40.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.

The median household income was $32,917 and the median family income was $46,328. Males had a median income of $54,688 versus $29,483 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,822. About 21.9% of families and 29.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.4% of those under age 18 and 18.3% of those age 65 or over.

2000

At the 2000 census there were 5,419 people, 2,094 households, and 1,507 families living in the city. The population density was 358.7 inhabitants per square mile (138.5/km). There were 2,341 housing units at an average density of 155.0 per square mile (59.8/km). The racial makeup of the city was 60.42% White, 38.49% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65%.

Of the 2,094 households 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 26.3% of households were one person and 12.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.

The age distribution was 26.6% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.

The median household income was $34,806 and the median family income was $45,516. Males had a median income of $43,558 versus $21,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,346. About 15.3% of families and 21.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.9% of those under age 18 and 20.1% of those age 65 or over.

History

Jackson was founded in 1816 and is named after President Andrew Jackson. Former names for the city include Pine Level and Republicville.

During the Civil War, a Confederate fort was established on the banks of the Tombigbee River. It was named Fort Carney and was positioned on Carney's Bluff just south of Jackson. The cannon that was on the bluff now sits in front of City Hall.

Jackson has four sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They are the Jackson Historic District, Clarke Mills, Doit W. McClellan Lustron House, and J. P. McKee Lustron House.

During World War II, a prisoner-of-war camp was built and operated holding 253 captured German soldiers on Ocre Avenue. The camp was opened April 6, 1945, and closed March 12, 1946. Many of the prisoners were members of the Afrika Korps.

Economy

The economy of Jackson is driven by the timber industry. Packaging Corporation of America has a paper mill that is the largest employer located in the city.

Education

• Coastal Alabama Community College
• Jackson Academy
• Jackson Middle School
• Jackson High School
• Jackson Intermediate
• Joe M. Gillmore Elementary
• Walker Springs Baptist Church

Notable people

• Ann Bedsole (born 1930), member of both houses of the Alabama State Legislature 1979-1995
• Stew Bolen (1902–1969), former Major League Baseball player
• Antonio Chatman (born 1979), NFL wide receiver
• Jimmy Outlaw (1913–2006), former Major League Baseball player
• Ray Prim (1906–1995), former Major League Baseball pitcher, raised in Jackson
• John "Jabo" Starks (1938–2018), funk and blues drummer
• Travis and Bob, musical duo
• Samaje Perine (born 1995), NFL Running-Back