Jackson is a city in Butts County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,934 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Butts County. The center of population of Georgia is located in Jackson. The community was named after President Andrew Jackson like the capital of Mississippi. Founded in 1826, Jackson began as a 303 acre plot purchased for the purpose of starting the town. The plot was divided into squares and each square into lots. The first buyer of a lot in the new town was John D. Swift of Newton County, Georgia. During the American Civil War, much of Jackson was razed by the army of General William T. Sherman in his infamous March to the Sea. After the war, Jackson, like much of the South, struggled economically for decades. Jackson remained little more than a small village until the arrival of the railroads in the latter half of the 19th century. On May 5th, 1882 the first train arrived in Jackson, heralding a new era in transportation of people and goods.

During the 20th Century, Jackson grew and industrial textile mills became the largest employer of local citizens. The arrival of [Interstate 75] just a few miles to the southwest of the city gave citizens quick access to Atlanta and Macon. The numerous schools throughout the county consolidated into one central school system located in Jackson and the schools desegregated in 1968. In the 1970's, Jackson slowly became a bedroom community, ideal for commuters to Atlanta.

City taxes were also abolished in the 1970's, another attractive attribute.

Geography

Jackson is located at .

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12.3 km²), of which, 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.42%) is water.

Government

Jackson is governed by an elected City Council of five members, each representing a district of the city. The Council is presided over by the Mayor, who is elected at-large. All officials serve four year terms. The current Mayor of Jackson is Charles Brown, who has held the office since 1996. The city government is established by means of the City Charter.

Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 3,934 people, 1,510 households, and 996 families residing in the city. The population density was 836.3 people per square mile (323.2/km²). There were 1,668 housing units at an average density of 354.6/sq mi (137.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 53.71% White, 44.26% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.

There were 1,510 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 23.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 78.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,472, and the median income for a family was $34,773. Males had a median income of $30,331 versus $20,994 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,702. About 16.8% of families and 21.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under age 18 and 29.0% of those age 65 or over.

Media

Jackson is the home of WJGA-FM 92.1, broadcaster of Jackson High School Red Devil sports.

Industry

Jackson was home of one of a handful of Western Auto Supply Stores still in operation. (This store is now out of business.)

Notable Residents

Teresa Cooper, contestant on Survivor: Africa; former US Congressman Mac Collins

References