What are the schools like in Jackson, KY?

Jackson is served primarily by Breathitt County. The district operates 3 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 3 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.1:1.

What is the median household income in Jackson?

The median household income in Jackson, KY is $33,333 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 9.6%.

What is the weather like in Jackson, KY?

Jackson has an average high temperature of 43.6°F in January and 84.6°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 48.9 inches and annual snowfall averages 23.4 inches.

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

Q: Is Jackson, KY affordable or expensive?

Jackson's cost of living index is 81, where 100 represents the national average. This means Jackson is 19% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $69,500 and the median rent is $424 per month.

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

Jackson has a violent crime rate of 47.8 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 716.7 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Jackson, KY a Good Place to Live?

Jackson is a small town of 2,286 in Kentucky, with a median household income of $33,333 and a 9.6% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 81 (US average = 100), which is 19% below the national average.

Strengths: Jackson stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include 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: 81.4

Jackson's overall cost of living index is 81.4, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Jackson costs roughly 19% less than the average American city.

Metric	Jackson, KY	National Avg
Median Home Value	$69,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$424	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	57.8%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$33,333	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Jackson's violent crime rate is 47.8 per 100,000 residents — 87% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

47.8 /100k

Property Crime

716.7 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Jackson is served primarily by Breathitt County. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.1:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Jackson, KY	National Avg
School District	Breathitt County	—
Elementary Schools	3	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	3	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	16.1:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	19.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	82.8%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Jackson sees average highs of 43.6°F in January and 84.6°F in July, with 48.9 inches of annual precipitation and 23.4 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Jackson, KY
Average High — January	43.6°F
Average High — July	84.6°F
Annual Precipitation	48.9"
Annual Snowfall	23.4"

Demographics

Metric	Jackson, KY	National Avg
Population	2,286	—
Median Age	43.1	38.9
Unemployment Rate	9.6%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	15.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	97.2%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.0%	18.9%
Asian	1.8%	6.3%
Under 18	16.6%	22.2%
65 and over	19.8%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Campton, KY 15 mi Buckhorn, KY 16 mi Hazel Green, KY 17 mi Booneville, KY 18 mi Beattyville, KY 18 mi

ZIP Codes in Jackson

Jackson, KY is covered by 1 ZIP code:

41339

Jackson vs Other Cities

Jackson, KY vs Campton, KY Jackson, KY vs Buckhorn, KY Jackson, KY vs Hazel Green, KY Jackson, KY vs Booneville, KY Jackson, KY vs Beattyville, KY

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jackson, KY affordable or expensive?

Jackson's cost of living index is 81, where 100 is the national average. That makes Jackson roughly 19% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $69,500 and median rent is $424/month.

What is the crime rate in Jackson, KY?

Jackson's violent crime rate is 47.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 716.7 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 Breathitt County. The district has 3 elementary, several middle, and 3 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.1:1. 19.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Jackson, KY a good place to live?

Jackson, KY has a population of 2,286, a median household income of $33,333, and an unemployment rate of 9.6%. 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 43.6°F in January and 84.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 48.9 inches with about 23.4 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Jackson?

Jackson, KY is covered by 1 ZIP code: 41339.

What is the population of Jackson?

The population of Jackson, Kentucky is 2,286 with a median age of 43.1. 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 81 (100 = US average), median home $69,500, median household income $33,333, crime index 21 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. 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.