CountyScore

Jackson County

Michigan · MI

#72 in Michigan
64.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Jackson County, Michigan

Above National Average, Below State

Jackson County scores 66.4 on the composite index, comfortably above the national median of 50.0 and in the 68th percentile nationally. However, it sits slightly below Michigan's state average of 68.7, indicating solid ground but competitive pressure within the state.

Competitive Middle-Tier Position

Jackson scores 66.4, just below the Michigan average of 68.7, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. This positioning suggests Jackson offers comparable livability to many Michigan communities but lacks distinctive advantages.

Reasonable Taxes and Income Levels

Jackson delivers a Tax Score of 66.1 and an Income Score of 25.8, with an effective tax rate of 1.29% and median household income of $65,004. The Cost Score of 76.7 also provides solid housing affordability with median rent at $958/month.

Earnings Potential Could Be Stronger

While income at $65,004 is respectable, the Income Score of 25.8 trails higher-performing counties in the region. Critical data on health, safety, and education remains unavailable, limiting comprehensive livability assessment.

Balanced Communities Seeking Stability

Jackson County suits working families and professionals seeking a middle-ground livability profile with reasonable costs and modest earning potential. It's an option for those who prioritize predictability and straightforward community standards over distinctive advantages.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax66.1Cost76.7SafetyComing SoonHealth72.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.8Risk23.5WaterComing Soon
🏛66.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡23.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Jackson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Highlands County
Florida
64.3
Median income: $55,581
Spalding County
Georgia
64.3
Median income: $60,217
Whitfield County
Georgia
64.3
Median income: $64,262
Comanche County
Kansas
64.3
Median income: $49,417
Harford County
Maryland
64.3
Median income: $111,317

Deep Dives

Jackson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Jackson County

via TaxByCounty

Jackson's taxes slightly above national median

Jackson County's effective tax rate of 1.29% exceeds the national median of 1.10%, placing it around the 58th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $2,353 is 12% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting its below-average home values.

Jackson runs above Michigan's average

At 1.29%, Jackson's effective rate exceeds Michigan's statewide average of 1.17% by 10%. The median tax of $2,353 runs 12% above the state average of $2,102.

Jackson moderately taxed in south-central region

Jackson's 1.29% rate places it between Ionia County (1.17%) and Kalamazoo County (1.49%). The county maintains a moderate tax position among its southern Michigan peers.

A $182,900 home costs $2,353 annually

With a median home value of $182,900 and Jackson's 1.29% effective rate, the typical homeowner pays $2,353 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,391, adding just $38 in additional fees.

Jackson homeowners should review assessments

Many Jackson County properties are assessed above fair market value, presenting opportunities for successful tax appeals. Challenging an inflated assessment could reduce your annual tax burden significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jackson County

via CostByCounty

Jackson's rents run slightly above state average

Jackson County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio sits above Michigan's 16.3% state average, though below national affordability concerns, with a $958 median rent that edges 10% above the state median of $873. The median household income of $65,004 trails the national median by 13%, creating a modest affordability gap that affects renters and buyers alike.

Jackson ranks mid-tier for housing affordability

Jackson County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio places it slightly above Michigan's state average, positioning it in the middle tier of state counties for affordability. While not among the most stressed markets, Jackson residents face somewhat elevated housing cost burdens compared to state peers.

Jackson rents moderate among regional peers

Jackson's $958 median rent falls between Ionia ($840) and Kalamazoo ($1,049), with a rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% that outpaces Ionia (13.7%) but undercuts Kalamazoo (17.9%). The county occupies a middle position in the region's affordability hierarchy, offering neither the lowest costs nor the highest incomes.

Jackson splits costs between rent and mortgage

Jackson renters pay approximately $11,496 annually at $958 monthly—17.7% of a $65,004 income, while owner-occupants pay nearly identical amounts at $946 monthly for homes valued at $182,900. The rough parity between rent and ownership costs suggests a balanced, if moderately stressed, housing market.

Jackson offers middle-ground affordability

If you want to avoid the extremes of Michigan's housing markets, Jackson County provides moderate costs and median incomes aligned with many state residents. However, at 17.7%, the rent-to-income ratio suggests you'll want employment above the county median of $65,004 to comfortably absorb housing without financial strain.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jackson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jackson approaches national income median

Jackson County's median household income of $65,004 falls about $9,751 below the national median of $74,755, but represents solid mid-range performance. The county sits slightly above Michigan's state average of $64,304.

Jackson slightly exceeds state average

At $65,004, Jackson's median household income nudges above Michigan's state average of $64,304 by roughly $700. The county demonstrates stable economic fundamentals consistent with state-level employment patterns.

Jackson competitive in region

Jackson's $65,004 ranks above Ingham ($64,354), Kalkaska ($60,365), Iosco ($47,777), and Isabella ($53,759), but trails Ionia ($73,436) and Kalamazoo ($70,525). The county holds middle ground among surrounding communities.

Housing moderately affordable

Jackson households allocate 17.7% of income to rent, a reasonable level that allows meaningful discretionary spending. Median home values of $182,900 are accessible for qualified buyers with moderate down payments.

Build wealth through consistent investing

Jackson's stable, near-average income provides a foundation for disciplined wealth building through employer 401(k) matching and IRA contributions. Automate monthly investments to capture compound growth and reach long-term financial goals.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jackson County

via HealthByCounty

Jackson County trails national life expectancy

Jackson County residents live an average of 75.1 years, 3.8 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 18.3% poor or fair health rate exceeds the national average of 15% by 3.3 percentage points, suggesting widespread health challenges.

Below Michigan's state average

At 75.1 years, Jackson County trails Michigan's state average of 76.3 years by 1.2 years, ranking in the lower-middle tier of Michigan's 83 counties. This gap reflects regional health disparities that require attention.

Middle-of-pack regional performance

Jackson County's 75.1-year life expectancy ties with Isabella County and falls between Iosco's 73.5 and Ingham's 75.4 years. The county's 43 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represent limited access, though mental health support at 349 per 100,000 is reasonable.

Strong insurance coverage, sparse primary care

Jackson County boasts Michigan's second-lowest uninsured rate at 5.6%—only Kalamazoo beats it at 5.1%—meaning most residents can afford coverage. However, just 43 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents means significant travel distances for routine care in this industrial county.

Get covered and stay healthy

Jackson County leads the state in insurance access, but the 5.6% uninsured should close this gap immediately. Visit healthcare.gov or contact Jackson County health services to explore low-cost plans, Medicaid, and community health centers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jackson County

via RiskByCounty

Jackson combines moderate and high risks

Jackson County's composite risk score of 76.46 substantially exceeds Michigan's state average of 49.56, placing it in the relatively low risk category despite significant exposure to specific hazards. This score reflects concentrated vulnerabilities rather than broadly distributed threats.

Above-average risk for Michigan

Jackson ranks in the higher-risk portion of Michigan counties, driven primarily by extreme tornado (93.58) and elevated flood (77.13) exposure. Only a handful of Michigan counties face comparable composite risk scores.

Jackson faces greater risks than peers

Jackson's 76.46 score exceeds neighboring Ionia County (55.85) and Isabella County (66.06), positioning it as the region's highest-risk community. The county's tornado hazard is particularly pronounced compared to surrounding areas.

Tornadoes and floods are critical threats

Jackson's tornado risk of 93.58 ranks among Michigan's highest, while flood risk of 77.13 poses serious threats to homes and infrastructure. Together, these hazards create substantial vulnerability for county residents.

Invest in flood and storm readiness

Jackson residents must obtain flood insurance immediately as a separate policy, given the county's 77.13 flood risk score and tornado risk of 93.58. Build or designate a basement safe room with reinforced walls, stock supplies, and practice tornado drills regularly.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.