“The city of beautiful homes, parks, schools and churches”
The city of Jackson was always meant to be a county seat. Founded on the shores of Hubble Creek in the early 19th century, Jackson was initially established around a central courthouse and continued growing as railways expanded. “Our pride for a long time was that we were the first town in the country named ‘Jackson,’” explains Janna Clifton, retail and membership director of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce. “Now we’re known as the city of beautiful homes, parks, schools and churches—that’s our motto.” The downtown area, in particular, is a hub for longstanding shops and restaurants. “We don’t call it downtown. We call it Uptown,” she continues. “Anyone from Jackson will correct you. That’s where our new sense of community pride comes in. We’ll always have a great turnout, whether it’s a local event or a football game on a Friday night.”
Jackson MO was established around a central courthouse in the early 19th century.
The historic "Uptown" Jackson is a hub for longstanding shops and restaurants.
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Jackson’s midcentury ranch-styles & bungalows
Towering trees and grassy knolls line Jackson's residential streets, where midcentury ranch-style homes and bungalows are among the most common architectural styles. Closer to Uptown, many houses date back to the 19th century and are within walking distance of the Main Street strip. Farther out, lot sizes expand, and styles grow increasingly more modern. Altogether, the median home price sits around $270,000—well below the national median of around $400,000 but higher than nearby Cape Girardeau.
Midcentury ranch homes bring timeless charm to Jackson’s quiet streets.
Bungalows remain a classic and common architectural style in Jackson, MO.
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Friday Night Lights at The Pit
Students citywide attend Jackson R-2 School District, which earns an A-minus on Niche. “The school district is a big draw here, especially for people moving to the area,” Clifton says. She notes that Friday night football games play a significant role in Jackson's culture, as students and community members rally for home games at The Pit. "That's the Jackson Senior High School stadium," she explains. "Football is huge in Jackson, and a lot of people come out to support the team. We were state champions in 2020, and we're always contenders."
Friday night football games play a significant role in Jackson's culture.
Russell Hawkins Junior High School offers a nurturing learning environment.
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From pickleball at Litz to hikes at Trail of Tears State Park
Jackson experiences four seasons, but summers typically last the longest. "If you go to the pickleball courts at Litz Park on a Friday night in the summer, you won't find an open court. You'll have to wait," Clifton says. She notes that Jackson City Park is the most popular of the city's green spaces. "That's where they have the annual Fourth of July event, which is pretty big," she says. "There's a 5K in the morning and mud volleyball, which is a huge draw. Plus, they always have a live band." Though the city offers trails throughout its titular park and surrounding Jackson Senior High School, many head to Trail of Tears State Park for hiking, swimming and boating along the Mississippi River.
Enjoy a match on the courts at Litz Park, perfect for all skill levels.
Hike forested paths on Peewah Trail in Trail of Tears State Park.
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Shops, eats and community events in Uptown
Hubble Creek winds from northern Jackson to Dutchtown, passing through the city’s Uptown area. Boutiques, restaurants and shops line the walkable strips of both Main Street and High Street. “A lot of our events are hosted there, like Oktoberfest and Farm to Table,” Clifton says, referring to a citywide dinner held in front of the courthouse each September. “Our staple restaurant in Uptown is Tractors, but there’s also Wib’s Drive-In. It’s not in Uptown, but it’s a Jackson staple for barbeque, and it’s been around since the 1950s.”
Beyond small businesses and local eats, residents will find most big-name grocers along Blues Highway. Cape Girardeau is home to the West Park Mall and various big-box retailers.
Savor flavors from local cafés and restaurants in historic Uptown Jackson.
Savor comfort food favorites like catfish and burgers at Tractors in Uptown Jackson.
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Reasonable commutes to Cape Girardeau & Fruitland
According to the city administrator, manufacturing, logistics and service are Jackson's largest industries. From Rubbermaid Commercial Products to the Jackson R-2 School District, most residents live within a 5- to 10-mile commute of the workplace. Others head 10 miles south to Cape Girardeau for Southeast Missouri State University or the Saint Francis Health Care System.
Commuters rely on Blues Highway to reach nearby hubs like Cape Girardeau and Fruitland. Interstate 55 also passes through Jackson, heading southbound from St. Louis to Memphis, Tennessee. Residents can fly commercially from Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, which connects to larger airports nationwide.
Crime increases in Jackson
According to FBI data, incidents of violent and property crime throughout the city rose from 2022 to 2023, while state and national rates decreased.
Written By
Dana Chesser
Photography Contributed By
Matt Ponstingl
Video By
Jacob Branchaud
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GreatSchools:
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