Jackson, Michigan

Jackson, Michigan
Jackson, Michigan
	Official seal of Jackson, Michigan Seal
	Nickname: The Rose City
	Location of Jackson within Jackson County, Michigan
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Jackson
Government
• Mayor	Jerry Ludwig (Mayor of Jackson is an elected, non-partisan office)
Population (2000)
• City	36,316
• Metro	163,629
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Website	http://www.cityofjackson.org/

Jackson is a city located in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Jackson County, Michigan ⁶. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 36,316. It is the principal city of and is included in the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area.

It was founded in 1827, and named after Democratic President Andrew Jackson.

Jackson is among a few cities which claim to be the birthplace of the Republican Party, with the first meeting of the new political party held under the Oaks in Jackson.

Jackson is the home town of Tony Dungy, the first African American NFL head coach to win the Super Bowl. He was a three-sport star at Parkside then a High School and since changed to a middle school. Dungy played quarterback at the University of Minnesota and then defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL.

Nearby communities include Albion, Brooklyn, Cement City, Clark Lake, Concord, Grass Lake, Hanover, Horton, Lake Columbia, Liberty, Leoni Township, Michigan Center, Munith, Napoleon, Parma, Pleasant Lake, Portage Lake, Pulaski, Rives Junction, Round Lake, Spring Arbor, Springport, Stockbridge, Tomkins Center, Vandercook Lake, and Waterloo.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.7 km² (11.1 mi²), all land.

History

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1850	2,363	—
1860	5,000	111.6%
1870	14,447	188.9%
1880	16,105	11.5%
1890	20,798	29.1%
1900	25,180	21.1%
1910	31,433	24.8%
1920	48,374	53.9%
1930	55,187	14.1%
1940	49,656	−10.0%
1950	51,088	2.9%
1960	50,720	−0.7%
1970	45,484	−10.3%
1980	39,739	−12.6%
1990	38,303	−3.6%
2000	36,316	−5.2%
2005 (est.)	34,879

On July 3, 1829, Horace Blackman, accompanied by Alexander Laverty, a land surveyor, and an Indian guide forded the grand river and made camp for the night at what is now Trail and S. Jackson Street. They arrived in Jackson on a well-traveled Indian trail leading west from Ann Arbor. Blackman hired Laverty and Pewytum to guide him west. Blackman returned to Ann Arbor and then Monroe and registered his claim for 160 acres at two dollars an acre. Blackman returned to Jackson in August, 1829, with his brother Russell. Together they cleared land and built a cabin, built on the corner of what would become Ingham and Trail streets. The town was first called Jacksonopolis. Later, it was renamed Jacksonburgh. Finally, in 1838 the town's name was changed to simply Jackson.

Economy

Major employers in the city are CMS Energy, which provides natural gas and electrical services to much of Michigan and has its international headquarters in the city, as well as Foote Hospital. Michigan Automotive Compressor, Inc. (MACI) is the largest manufacturer in the County. Jackson is also home to one of the world's largest maximum-security prisons, which provides employment to many Jackson residents.

Income tax

The City of Jackson currently assesses a 1% income tax to residents and businesses located within the city, and 0.5% for non-residents working within the city limits. The income tax provides $7,000,000 of revenue, or 32% of the city's annual budget.

Coney Island heritage

Jackson is known around Michigan for its famous Coney Island-style hot dogs. The Coney dog has been a Jackson mainstay since the early part of the 20th-century. Coney Island hot dogs typically contain "everything", or meat sauce, mustard, and chopped onions. Unlike neighboring Detroit style Coney dogs, the sauce at most Jackson establishments more closely resembles crumbled ground beef than the more traditional chili con carne, runnier sauces found in Detroit. Many area residents have fond memories of eating Jackson's Coney Island hot dogs.

Many Coney Island restaurants are still active today, including :

Jackson Coney Island
Virginia Lunch
Alpha Coney Island (Detroit style)
Christoff's Corner Coney Island
Todoroff's Coney Island
The Roxy Café
Andy's Pizza & Coney
Tommy's Coney Stand
Omega Koney Island (Detroit style)
The Dog House

Motorsports

Jackson is 18 miles from Michigan International Speedway. Each year the facility hosts several NASCAR sanctioned races including two Nextel Cup races held in June and August, in addition to a NASCAR Craftsman Truck series race and two Busch series Stock car races. The Indy Racing League (IRL) sanctions a 500 mile indy car race in July.

The Jackson area was the home of Indy 500-winning car owner U. E. Patrick ("Pat" Patrick) and NASCAR team owner Harry Melling. Patrick Racing was formed in 1978 concurrent with the formation of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART). For many years CART was sponsored by PPG. Patrick Racing won three Indianapolis 500s and two CART PPG championships with Gordon Johncock and Emerson Fittipaldi before the team folded in 1991. The team was revived in 1994 to test Firestone Indy car tires, and won the 1995 Michigan 500. Patrick Racing jumped to the IRL in 2004 and folded at the end of the season. Jackson area residents gave early financial support to Bill Elliott, then a promising young driver who joined the new Melling Racing team in 1982. Melling Racing with Elliott driving the Coors sponsored number 9 Ford Thunderbird won the NASCAR Winston Cup series title in 1988.

Things to do

Just about every weekend during the summer you can find a festival in the area. Jackson County is host to over 500 holes of golf, 188 lakes and 27 public parks covering 17,000 acres. Ella Sharp Art & Wine Festival in June at the Ella Sharp Museum. Wheels of Thunder/Hogs and Dogs in June downtown Jackson. Relay for Life in August at the Cascade Falls Park. Jackson County Fair and Flower Festival in August at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. Cascades Civil War Muster in August at Cascade Falls Park. Rust 'n Dust at Heritage Park, Hanover in August. Rose Festival End of Summer Celebration/Speed Stacking Festival at the Cascade Falls Park in September. Eve on the Ave, downtown event on December 31.

Sparks Foundation County Park - Illuminated Cascades

Bordered by Warren Avenue and Kibby Rd, the park occupies nearly 500 acres (2 km²) and contains the illuminated "Cascades", six fountains and a giant concrete waterfall construction over which water tumbles in continually changing patterns of colorful light. They are the largest man-made waterfalls in North America. The falls are lit after dusk until 11 PM, every summer evening. There also is a small museum depicting the history of Cascades Falls, two golf courses, tennis courts, a picnic area, lagoons with paddleboats in the summer and ice skating in the winter, batting cages, and a miniature golf course.

Education

The Jackson urbanized area is home to approximately 16 different elementary public schools, as well as about 16 private or parochial schools. It also has a large public middle school (The Middle School at Parkside), as well as Jackson Catholic Middle School. Finally, it also boasts seven high schools: Jackson High School (Public), East Jackson High School (Public), Jackson County Western High School (Public), Northwest High School (Public), The daVinci Institute (Charter), Jackson Christian School (Private), and Lumen Christi High School (Private Catholic).

Education continues for adults who can take advantage of programs offered at three institutions of higher learning: Jackson Community College (JCC), Baker College, and Spring Arbor University. There are an additional 15 institutions all within one hour of Jackson County.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 36,316 people, 14,210 households, and 8,668 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,264.4/km² (3,274.9/mi²). There were 15,241 housing units at an average density of 530.6/km² (1,374.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.87% White, 19.70% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.65% from other races, and 3.67% from two or more races. 4.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,210 households out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8% were married couples living together, 19.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,294, and the median income for a family was $39,072. Males had a median income of $31,957 versus $23,817 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,230. About 15.2% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.9% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Jackson was originally a major railway hub, and for over a century has been known as the crossroads of Michigan.

Highway

Jackson is at the junction of Interstate Highway I-94 and US-127. 127 intersects I 94 in two places. The portion know locally as 127 North continues as a divided freeway to Lansing. The portion known as 127 South intersects I-94 3-1/2 miles east of 127 North. It continues for approximately 5 miles to the south as a divided, limited access highway along the city's east side, and then becomes a two lane highway south of town. 127 continues southward to the Ohio/Michigan state line and beyond.

M-106 enters Jackson from the northeast and ends downtown. M-60 approaches Jackson from the southeast, ending at I-94 west of the city. M-50 enters Jackson from the northwest, and exits southeast of town.

Airport

Reynolds Field at Jackson County Airport is the main airport in the city. It had commercial service until 1984 and today operates as a general aviation facility.

Michigan Flyer® operates bus service between Jackson and Detroit Metro Airport running eight times daily.

Rail

Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Jackson, operating its Wolverine three times daily in each direction between Chicago and Pontiac, Michigan via Detroit. Baggage cannot be checked at this location; however, up to two suitcases in addition to any "personal items" such as briefcases, purses, laptop bags, and infant equipment are allowed on board as carry-ons.

Notable People from Jackson

Austin Blair - Governor of Michigan, Tony Dungy - National Football League Player and Coach, Tim McClelland - Major League Baseball Umpire, James McDivitt - NASA Astronaut, Tom Monaghan - Founder Domino's Pizza, Alonzo Sargent - Locomovtive Engineer, Potter Stewart - U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Rick Wise - Major League Pitcher, Alfred Worden - NASA Astronaut