The Pine City blends natural beauty with civic pride
With roots in the lumber industry and hillsides blanketed in tall trees, it's easy to see how Jackson earned the nickname "Pine City." Planted off the banks of the Tombigbee River, the small Alabama town supports shipping industries and a recreational lifestyle. "I'm originally from Mobile, and I've been in Jackson for over 55 years. It's laid-back and community-oriented. I raised my kids here," says Rhonda Harvey, a Realtor with Wilson Real Estate. "It's a small town, but there's a lot to do. It's an outdoorsy area." Jackson also hosts multiple outdoor gatherings and events throughout the year, like the Fire Prevention Day Parade, sponsored by the Volunteer Fire Department.
River access, hunting and parks support an active lifestyle
"There are lots of recreational activities to do. We have a lot of fishing because of the river," Harvey says. "There's hunters here, too. People own big parcels of land [for hunting], and locals from Mobile and Birmingham come down to hunt," Harvey says. She adds that the local game includes deer, wild hogs and native birds. Pearce Memorial Park is one of the city's main outdoor havens. Visitors pay an annual membership fee to swim in the large, spring-fed pool. The grounds contain basketball courts, playground equipment and a 9-hole golf course. "We have our little softball and football teams for the kids. A lot of people take an interest in that," Harvey says. Residents visit Simpkins Stadium for football games and high school graduations. In downtown, there's a splash pad next to City Hall. Jackson Alabama Senior-Nutrition Center offers meals as well as a social and recreational gathering space for locals.
Home to local restaurants and businesses as well as industrial spaces
Harvey says that the community has a few fast-food chains and local eateries. "We have a little family restaurant called Minnie Mae's. That's one of the only restaurants where you can go and sit down. We have Shuckers Seafood and Oyster Bar too," Harvey says. The seafood spot is open from Wednesday to Saturday. Cascade Coffee and a Tractor Supply Co. are inside Jackson Shopping Center. To the north, in Jackson Square, is Ramey's Pic N Sav grocery store. Along the river are industrial sites, including a waste treatment plant and the papermill, Packaging Corporation of America.
Bungalows, ranch homes and cabins near downtown, and weather risks
Jackson offers a collection of housing styles throughout the area. Many homes have front doorsteps leading to front porches with columns. Historic bungalows and houses with colonial influences stand within 2 miles of downtown. There are also wooden cabins on spacious lots, cottages and brick ranch-style homes. Harvey says that most properties have a price range of around $100,000 to $250,000. Dwellings needing renovation can cost between $40,000 and $70,000. The region also has some risk of tornadoes and hurricanes, which could impact properties.
Jackson celebrates fall and summer with big community events
"We have a festival here on the first of November. That is a big to-do in Clarke County," Harvey says. The Forestry Festival has been an annual Jackson event for over 40 years. The one-day celebration features a lumberjack competition, power wheel parade and turkey calling. In previous years, the event attracted over 100 restaurant and merchant vendors. On Independence Day, the night sky becomes illuminated over the Jackson Fairgrounds for Fireworks at Dark.
Elementary to high school options with career prep programs
Students in kindergarten to second grade attend Joe M. Gillmore Elementary, which has a B rating on Niche. Jackson Intermediate accepts third to fifth graders and has a C-plus rating. Jackson Middle and Jackson High also have C-plus ratings. Clarke County Schools provides career and technical education pathways in finance, law enforcement, welding and marketing.
Medical care and direct highway access
Jackson Medical Center provides an emergency room and urgent care services. U.S. Highway 43 and Alabama Highway 177 run through the community. Drivers access Highway 84 in about 15 miles. Interstate 65 South stands around 50 miles away. Downtown Mobile is roughly a 65-mile drive from Jackson.
Written By
Ashley Kennedy
