Mid-sized Michigan community with connections to Ann Arbor and Lansing
Close to the southeast end of the Michigan mitten, Jackson is a city in transition. In the later 20th century, the area’s activity as a hub for automobile manufacturing faded as companies closed or moved their operations closer to Detroit, leaving the industrial city without much of its major industry. But the area has seen a second life as a residential hub for folks working in Ann Arbor and Lansing, both about 40 miles away. Locals in town have also worked hard, helping Jackson forge a new identity, from the vibrant local and international murals of Downtown Jackson to the light shows and fireworks above the Cascades waterfall.
Downtown Jackson's social district invites locals and visitors alike to "experience Jackson".
The Cascades at Sparks Foundation County Park have weekly light shows in Jackson.
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Early 20th century homes in traditional styles
Most Jackson residents live in single-family homes built between the 1880s and the 1960s. Properties from the 1970s to the 2020s are rarer finds. The homes here generally have Cape Cod, American Foursquare, minimal traditional and folk Victorian styles. With a median price of $186,000, houses generally sell for far below the national median. The rest of Jackson’s home market is generally made up of selected condominiums and duplexes. Condos in town are usually found around Downtown Jackson and surrounding neighborhoods, including Under the Oaks and the Health District. Multi-unit houses are spread across Southside neighborhoods such as Partnership Park, Flat Iron, King and East Jackson.
Traditional minimal homes in Jackson are very charming and well-kept.
Many Colonials and American Foursquare homes in East Jackson have been converted into duplexes.
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Learning experiences at Jackson Public Schools
Jackson Public Schools serves most of Jackson’s students. The district earns an overall B-minus grade on Niche. Most students move from the district’s eight elementary schools to Middle School at Parkside, which earns a C on Niche. Jackson High School earns a B grade.
Jackson High School maintains an overall B-plus on the popular school ratings site Niche.
A domed auditorium can be found on the west side of Middle School at Parkside in Jackson.
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Golf, waterfalls and museums at parks on southwest side
In the summertime, Cascades Park hosts live music and light shows along the man-made waterfall that lends the park its name. About 3 miles south, Ella Sharp Park is another popular recreational hub. The Ella Sharp Museum there has exhibits focused on Jackson’s history as an industrial center and a planetarium. The Howard Woods Recreation Complex is home to the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center in Jackson’s Southside. The complex also connects to the Inter City Bike Trail, which runs 10 miles southwest from the King neighborhood out to the city of Concord. Jackson also holds a strong reputation as a golf hub, with public courses at Ella Sharp Park and Cascades Park and 10 other golf courses throughout Jackson County.
Ella Sharp Park is home to a public 18-hole golf course with a series of challenging greens.
Jackson residents have easy access to the Ella Sharp Museum.
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Jackson Crossing Mall for big-box stores
Most of Jackson’s mainstream shopping outlets are concentrated around the northwest side of town. West Avenue is home to Jackson Crossing Mall, a hub for big box stores and chain restaurants. The city’s Walmart store and the Westwood Jackson Mall both sit along the west side of Michigan Avenue. Mom-and-pop shops and local East Michigan Avenue restaurants line the blocks of Downtown Jackson. On the east side of town, the area near East Michigan Avenue and North Dettman Road rounds out the city’s shopping hubs. Assorted dining options, dollar stores and other businesses are peppered between the other residential areas.
West Ganson residents looking for big box retail therapy can head north to Jackson Crossing.
Jackson's Westwood Mall features an array of outlets and boutique stores for West Ganson shoppers.
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Car show concerts in the summer in Downtown Jackson
Summer festivities in town include the Cruise-In & Concert series at Horace Blackman Park downtown, which blend a live music performance with a car show. Just north of downtown Jackson in the Arts District area, the Jackson County Fair happens each August. At Cascades Park, fireworks soar over the lights of the waterfall for Independence Day. Ella Sharp Park is home to the annual Hot Air Jubilee, which includes hot air balloon competitions, helicopter rides and a car show.
Music serenades Jackson from the TRUE Community Center Square at Horace Blackman Park events.
The Jackson County Fair is an excellent place for Lansing Avenue Heights locals to meet.
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Convenient travel via Interstate 94
Interstate 94 runs along the north end of town and connects Jackson to Ann Arbor and Detroit, while US-127 Business is the main north-south thoroughfare. Michigan Avenue and Western Avenue are key roads for local travel and connect most of the business centers in town. Jackson is about 37 miles west of Ann Arbor and 40 miles south of Lansing.
For medical emergencies, Henry Ford Jackson Hospital is just northeast of downtown in the Health District. Residents going out of town can catch flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, about 60 miles east.
Crime and weather in Jackson
Data from the FBI Crime Explorer indicates that the city of Jackson generally has higher rates of violent crime and property crime than the U.S. and Michigan. The city has invested in local crime prevention initiatives, like the City of Jackson Group Violence Intervention program, to improve community outreach and reduce the number of incidents in town.
Climate information from Weather Spark indicates warm summers and freezing winters with snow and wind, in line with the general climate of the Midwest.
On average, homes in Jackson, MI sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Jackson, MI over the last 12 months is $292,000, up 31% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$299,900
Median Sale Price
$292,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$299,900
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$227,100
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
232
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
31%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$173
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
13,284
Number of Homes for Sale
12
Median Year Built
1999
Months of Supply
0.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,831
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,820
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,353
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
667
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
14,810
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Jackson, MI
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Northwest Early Elementary School
B
Niche
#2 Sharp Park Academy
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#3 Northwest Elementary School
B-
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#4 Hunt Elementary School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#5 East Jackson Elementary School
C-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#6 Cascades School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#7 JPS Montessori Center
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#8 Townsend Elementary School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#9 Northeast Elementary School
C
Niche
2
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Middle School at Parkside
C
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#2 Northwest Middle School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#3 South Central Michigan Virtual
C-
Niche
2
GreatSchools
#4 Fourth Street Learning Center
C
Niche
1
GreatSchools
#5 Way East Jackson
2
GreatSchools
#6 Lyle A. Torrant Center
#7 East Jackson Middle School
#8 Jackson Independent School District Special Education Program
I am Listing Specialist on The SELLING Team with over 10 years in the real estate industry. My start in the real estate world is a unique one. Prior to obtaining my license, I worked as an Administrative Assistant on The SELLING Team where I specialized in Listing Management and Marketing. I enjoyed creating great relationships and helping clients so much so that I decided to take the leap and become an Agent herself. I have an extensive understanding of the real estate industry from both an Agent and Administrative standpoint. Being a long-time resident of the Greater Lansing area, I am very familiar with the local communities, schools and in-depth knowledge of the market to help you make informed decisions when selling your home - one of the biggest investments of your life. I take great care in guiding my clients through the process of selling their home, understanding each step and using her out-of-box thinking & negotiating skills to net the most amount of money in the least amount of time - and with as little stress as possible! I take pride in providing the highest quality service to all of her clients. I received my Associates Degree in Business Management from Baker College. Prior to real estate, I was a Preschool Teacher at Holt Public Schools, and was also the Manager and Lead Caregiver at A Bright Beginning Preschool and Childcare. I currently live in Springport with my husband, sons and dog.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
