Jackson County, Mississippi


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 Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located at the southeastern tip of the state; with George and Greene counties, it has sandy soil and is in the Piney Woods area. It borders 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 is water. It is the largest county in Mississippi by total area.

Major highways

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. There were 51,678 housing units at an average density of 71 per square mile. 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 CDP's.

Education

The Jackson County School District serves the Hurley, Wade, Big Point, Three Rivers, Harleston, Vestry, Latimer, and Vancleave communities, along with parts of Ocean Springs 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