What are the schools like in Jackson, AL?

Jackson is served primarily by Clarke County. The district operates 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.1:1.

What is the median household income in Jackson?

The median household income in Jackson, AL is $52,530 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 19.0%.

What is the weather like in Jackson, AL?

Jackson has an average high temperature of 59.9°F in January and 91.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 60.2 inches.

Jackson, AL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Jackson, AL affordable or expensive?

Jackson's cost of living index is 88, where 100 represents the national average. This means Jackson is 12% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $124,700 and the median rent is $608 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Jackson, AL?

Jackson has a violent crime rate of 627.7 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 3384.9 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Jackson, AL a Good Place to Live?

Jackson is a small town of 4,719 in Alabama, with a median household income of $52,530 and a 19.0% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is 12% below the national average.

Strengths: Jackson stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Jackson is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Jackson city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 87.5

Jackson's overall cost of living index is 87.5, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Jackson costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.

Metric	Jackson, AL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$124,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$608	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	72.9%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$52,530	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Higher than Average

Jackson's violent crime rate is 627.7 per 100,000 residents — 65% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

627.7 /100k

Property Crime

3384.9 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Jackson is served primarily by Clarke County. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.1:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Jackson, AL	National Avg
School District	Clarke County	—
Elementary Schools	3	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	17.1:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	18.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	86.5%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Jackson sees average highs of 59.9°F in January and 91.2°F in July, with 60.2 inches of annual precipitation .

Metric	Jackson, AL
Average High — January	59.9°F
Average High — July	91.2°F
Annual Precipitation	60.2"
Annual Snowfall	Trace / None

Demographics

Metric	Jackson, AL	National Avg
Population	4,719	—
Median Age	43.8	38.9
Unemployment Rate	19.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	15.7 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	52.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	42.2%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	3.3%	18.9%
Asian	1.2%	6.3%
Under 18	22.5%	22.2%
65 and over	24.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Leroy, AL 5 mi Rockville, AL 9 mi St. Stephens, AL 10 mi Carlton, AL 13 mi Whatley, AL 13 mi

ZIP Codes in Jackson

Jackson, AL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

36545

Jackson vs Other Cities

Jackson, AL vs Leroy, AL Jackson, AL vs Rockville, AL Jackson, AL vs St. Stephens, AL Jackson, AL vs Carlton, AL Jackson, AL vs Whatley, AL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jackson, AL affordable or expensive?

Jackson's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average. That makes Jackson roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $124,700 and median rent is $608/month.

What is the crime rate in Jackson, AL?

Jackson's violent crime rate is 627.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3384.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Jackson?

Public schools in Jackson are operated by Clarke County. The district has 3 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.1:1. 18.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Jackson, AL a good place to live?

Jackson, AL has a population of 4,719, a median household income of $52,530, and an unemployment rate of 19.0%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Jackson?

Jackson averages 59.9°F in January and 91.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 60.2 inches . Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Jackson?

Jackson, AL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 36545.

What is the population of Jackson?

The population of Jackson, Alabama is 4,719 with a median age of 43.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Jackson?

Key numbers for living in Jackson: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $124,700, median household income $52,530, crime index 164 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Jackson side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.