Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2010 census, the population was 139,668, making it the fifth-most populous county in Mississippi. Its county seat is Pascagoula. The county was named for Andrew Jackson, general in the United States Army and afterward President of the United States.
Jackson County is included in the Pascagoula, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located at the southeastern tip of the state. The county has sandy soil and is in the Piney Woods area. It borders the state of Alabama on its east side.
The county was severely damaged by both Hurricane Camille in August 1969 and Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, which caused catastrophic effects.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (31%) is water. It is the largest county in Mississippi by total area.
Despite the county’s name, Jackson County does not contain the City of Jackson, the latter is located in Hinds County.
Major highways
20px Interstate 10
20px U.S. Highway 90
20px Mississippi Highway 57
20px Mississippi Highway 63
20px Mississippi Highway 609
20px Mississippi Highway 611
20px Mississippi Highway 613
20px Mississippi Highway 614
Adjacent counties
George County - north
Mobile County, Alabama - east
Harrison County - west
Stone County - northwest
National protected areas
De Soto National Forest (part)
Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge (part)
Gulf Islands National Seashore (part)
Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 143,252 people, 56,323 households, and 38,007 families residing in the county.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 131,420 people, 47,676 households, and 35,709 families residing in the county. The population density was 181 people per square mile (70/km2). There were 51,678 housing units at an average density of 71 per square mile (27/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.35% White, 20.87% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 1.57% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. 2.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 47,676 households, out of which 37.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.70% were married couples living together, 14.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.10% were non-families. 20.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.70% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,118, and the median income for a family was $45,091. Males had a median income of $32,996 versus $22,770 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,768. About 10.50% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.80% of those under age 18 and 12.10% of those age 65 or over.
Jackson County has the fifth highest per capita income in the State of Mississippi.
Public Safety
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services for communities in the county that do not have their own local law enforcement. These communities are known as Census-Designated Places, or CDPs.
Education
The Jackson County School District serves the Hurley, Wade, Big Point, Three Rivers, Harleston, Vestry, Latimer, and Vancleave communities, along with St. Martin and Escatawpa. The Pascagoula-Gautier School District serves Pascagoula and the City of Gautier. The Moss Point School District serves Moss Point, Mississippi, and part of Escatawpa, Mississippi. The Ocean Springs School District serves most of Ocean Springs.
Communities
Cities
Gautier
Moss Point
Ocean Springs
Pascagoula (county seat)
Census-designated places
Big Point
Escatawpa
Gulf Hills
Gulf Park Estates
Helena
Hickory Hills (former CDP)
Hurley
Latimer
St. Martin
Vancleave
Wade
Unincorporated places
East Moss Point
Poticaw Landing
Ghost towns
Brewton
Politics
