Jackson, Ohio

Jackson is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, Ohio, United States about southeast of Chillicothe. Its population was 6,252 at the 2020 census.

History

File:Historical Collections of Ohio- An Encyclopedia of the State; History Both General and Local, Geography with Descriptions of Its Counties, Cities and Villages, Its Agricultural, Manufacturing, Mining (14773062865).jpg

Late 19th century

Established in 1817, residents named the town after Andrew Jackson, a hero of the War of 1812, and an eventual president of the United States. The community grew slowly, having only 297 inhabitants in 1840. In 1846, Jackson had four churches, about seven stores, and a single newspaper office. Over the next 40 years, the town grew quickly, attaining a population of 3,021 people in 1880. By 1880, two railroad lines passed through the community, helping to spur economic and population growth. In 1886, two newspaper offices, eight churches, and two banks existed in Jackson. The largest businesses in the town were the Star Furnace Company and the Globe Iron Company, with 30 employees apiece. Both firms used local coal and iron ore deposits to make iron products.

Jackson continued to grow during the 20th century; it was the county's largest community in 2000, with a population of 6,184 people. This number comprised roughly 20% of the county's entire population. Today, many locals find employment in a General Mills plant in nearby Wellston, Ohio, which employs more than 1000 people.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is covered by water.

Public lands

Parks include Eddie Jones Park, Manpower Park, and McKinley Park. The city operates the Fairmount Cemetery. The Lillian E. Jones museum is housed in a house built in 1869. Hammertown Lake, the city reservoir, has picnic areas and fishing.

Demographics

Jackson has the eighth-largest population of people of Welsh descent in the United States, and fourth-largest in Ohio. The Welsh-American Heritage Museum in Oak Hill describes the experience of Welsh immigration to this area and their chief occupations in farming, making iron, and manufacturing clay.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Template:Sronly	%±
1830	136		—
1840	297		%
1850	480		%
1860	1,067		%
1870	2,016		%
1880	3,021		%
1890	4,320		%
1900	4,672		%
1910	5,468		%
1920	5,842		%
1930	5,922		%
1940	6,295		%
1950	6,504		%
1960	6,980		%
1970	6,843		%
1980	6,675		%
1990	6,144		%
2000	6,184		%
2010	6,397		%
2020	6,252		%
2021 (est.)	6,209		%
Sources:

File:JacksonOHAppleWaterTower.JPG

The water tower in Jackson is painted with an apple to celebrate the city's Apple Festival.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, 6,397 people, 2,734 households, and 1,698 families were living in the city. The population density was . The 3,019 housing units had an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.4% White, 0.7% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.5% of the population.

Of the 2,734 households, 32.3% had children under 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.9% were not families. About 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the city was 38.1 years. The age distribution was 23.8% under 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26% from 25 to 44, 26% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.5% male and 53.5% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 6,184 people, 2,667 households, and 1,712 families resided in the city. The population density was . The 2,905 housing units had an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 98.19% White, 0.44% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.86% of the population.

Of the 2,667 households, 30.9% had children under living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were not families. About 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city, the age distribution was 24.7% under 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,728, and for a family was $33,456. Males had a median income of $31,131 versus $21,612 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,855. About 14.6% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.6% of those under 18 and 18.4% of those 65 or over.

Education

Jackson City Schools operates three elementary schools, one middle school, and Jackson High School.

The city has Jackson City Library, a public lending library.

Notable people

• Stan Arthur, vice chief of naval operations, officer in U.S Navy
• Fletcher Benton, sculptor and painter
• Frank Crumit, singer, songwriter, half of the "Swinging Sweethearts"
• Homer Marshman, first owner of the NFL's Rams franchise
• Allen McKenzie, musician for FireHouse
• William Pickrel, American attorney and 40th and 43rd lieutenant governor of Ohio
• John Wesley Powell, explorer of the Grand Canyon and other western lands
• Nicole Riegel, writer and director of the 2020 film Holler, director of 2024's film Dandelion
• Effie Hoffman Rogers, educator

See also

• Jackson County Apple Festival

External links

• City of Jackson