Greater Jackson is an area replete with all the ingredients that make for an excellent quality of life: affordable and attractive neighborhoods; abundant recreational activities and cultural entertainment; a variety of upscale malls, stores, and bargain shops; restaurants specializing in everything from home cooking to haute cuisine; and an assortment of celebrations, festivals, and major events covering sports and the arts. All this and a populace known for their gracious hospitality make the Greater Jackson area an exceptional place to live and work.
The very geography of Greater Jackson helps put businesses located in the area in an excellent logistical position.
Greater Jackson is strategically located in the center of the southeast United States and within 500 miles of all or part of 15 states and 76 Metropolitan areas which comprise approximately 39 percent of the nation’s population and 35 percent of the total personal income. Jackson, the state capital and central city of the Metropolitan area, is the intersection for Interstates 55 and 20, and all incorporated communities in the Greater Jackson area are within 45 miles of Jackson and are traversed by major highways.
Greater Jackson draws many businesses because of its location and its transportation network. By road, rail, air, and water, the area offers a variety of economical and expeditious ways for quick and easy access to major cities throughout the world. This ability to access both foreign and domestic markets puts the world at the doorsteps of businesses.
Average Temperature: 65.1° F Annual Rain: 68.48 in. Heating Degree Days: 2,360 Cooling Degree Days: 2,594 Number of Days with Thunderstorms: 85 Number of Days with Heavy Fog: 15 Number of Hurricanes/Tropical Storms: 0 Number of Tornados: 4
Whatever your preference, needs and style; Metro Jackson has affordable quality homes conveniently located for work, school and play. There is a good inventory on the market from the first homes to luxury homes incorporating state-of-the-art building techniques and design.
The market offers new and existing homes in urban, suburban and rural settings at prices below national averages. In many cases the same-money that buys only a small cottage in major metropolitan areas will purchase a spacious new; home in Metro Jackson. Prospective homeowners can find homes that range from $75,000 to $1M +.
Waterfront developments along the Ross Barnett Reservoir provide resort style living year round-In addition to panoramic views and the tranquility of life on the water, residents have access to private boat slips and protected harbors. The area is also home to many traditional neighborhoods with tree-lined streets, manicured lawns and friendly neighbors, Many feature small lakes, walking trails, neighborhood clubhouses and swimming pools.
Greater Jackson’s public education system is home to 11 school districts, three community colleges and eight colleges and universities, not the mention the state’s largest teaching hospital the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Numerous private schools are also located throughout the Greater Jackson area and cover pre-kindergarten through college. Together, these schools offer a variety of comprehensive curriculums that prepare students to work in any vocation and be productive members of society.
Greater Jackson’s access to advanced medical technology resources is unparalleled.
The health care community has made a place for itself among the leading centers for the health sciences and practice of medicine and established superior standards of medical care, The health care resources are clustered around 18 hospital facilities which include a major teaching and research center, a state psychiatric hospital, a large Department of Veterans Affairs facility, and nine other private non-profit and for-profit institutions with a combined bed space of approximately 5,500.
The men and women of Greater Jackson’s health care community, which includes over 46,000 health professionals and 1200 businesses related to health services, collectively represent virtually ever specialty and sub-specialty dealing with the fall spectrum of human disease and disability. Many of them received their training at educational centers in the Jackson area. The University of Mississippi Medical Center serves as the flagship institution with its Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Health Related Professions, The Hinds Community College Nursing/Allied Health Center works closely with area students and health care providers to develop highly skilled professionals to meet the needs of an ever changing industry,
Jackson’s reputation as a center for health care excellence is enhanced by the fact that medical costs are lower than those in other cities with which Jackson frequently finds itself compared. Among Sunbelt cities offering care comparable to that found in Jackson, including Memphis, Birmingham, Dallas, New Orleans and Houston, the average charge for inpatient medical services is lower in Jackson, based upon Medicare diagnostic related groups. Health care provided in Jackson is quite a value.
Within a small commute in and around the Capital City lay four malls and over 50 shopping centers.
Major department stores, specialty shops, boutiques, and discount stores are located throughout the area and offer an unlimited selection of goods. In addition, craft shows, flea markets, and antique shows are held weekly. Convenience and variety are what shopping is all about in Greater Jackson.
If you like the outdoors, you will love Greater Jackson. Our long summers and mild winters encourage outdoor activity year round. The metro area is rich in natural resources and enjoying the hobbies and sports that they afford is a leading contributor to our quality of life.
A focal point for the outdoor sporting life in the Greater Jackson is the 33,000-acre Ross Barnett Reservoir. Recreational opportunities abound for everyone.
Fishing, power boating, sailing, canoeing, water skiing, hiking, biking, hunting and bird watching can be enjoyed at the Reservoir. It’s a sportsman’s lalce and its hosts state, regional and national fishing contests each year including the most famous of them all, the BASS Master’s Classic.
In addition to the main lake, boaters can traverse about 30 miles of the upper river area that winds through our magnificent woodlands. Sailing regattas are also held at the reservoir.
The Natchez Trace Parkway, a historic route maintained by the National Park Service, winds along the shoreline of the Reservoir. Visitors are furnished with spectacular scenery, historic sites, nature trails, multi-use biking and pedestrian trails and picnic sites.
Both avid and casual golfers appreciate the variety of challenging and scenic golf courses in the metro. Many of these courses also offer a stunning backdrop for some of the area’s most elegant homes. Residents and visitors also have the opportunity to see some of the best golfers in the world at the Sanderson Farms Championship, played annually at the Country Club of Jackson.
Tennis buffs are never far from the courts in Metro Jackson, from Tennis Center South in south Jackson, to Parham Bridges Tennis Center in northeast Jackson, to H. B. Wolcott Park and Tennis Center in Madison county. The Mississippi Adult Open and Closed Tournament and the USTA/MS Junior Qualifying competition are held each year at Bridges Tennis Center. River Hills Tennis Club hosts the annual Southern Seniors Championship.
Home to professional ballet, theater and opera companies and a symphony orchestra, GreaterJackson offers innumerable cultural offerings. Jackson is the official USA host city for the International Ballet Competition (IBC), recognized worldwide as the premier “Olympics-style” competition for dance. The competition is held in Jackson every four years in the tradition of sister competitions in Varna, Bulgaria; Tokyo, Japan and Moscow, Russia. The two week competition attracts dancers and spectators from around the world. Jackson hosted the first USA competition in 1979 and became the official home of the USA IBC through a joint resolution of the United States Congress in 1982.
Greater Jackson is an important stop on the way to sports stardom. Home to the Mississippi Braves, which is the Class AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, their home field is just minutes from downtown Jackson, and gives baseball fans the chance to see players on the rise to the top.
The St. Paddy’s Day Parade is held annually in March. The Mardi Gras style parade boasts about 100 entries each year not to mention a children’s parade, pet parade and a street dance. The parade was established as a fund raiser for the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.