Part of Mississippi’s capital city, the West Jackson neighborhood is an expansive area of almost a dozen different communities, multiple schools, hundreds of businesses and nearly two centuries of history. The Jackson Zoo, Jackson State University and the Mynelle Gardens Botanical Center are found here, and it’s all within five miles of downtown. Often abbreviated to West JXN, the community underwent a downturn in the 1980s and has been slowly recovering since. Organizations like the Cooperative Community of New West Jackson, Cooperation Jackson and the West Jackson Community Development Corporation work within the community with the idea that an area’s greatest resource is its people. With this spirit of change, West Jackson is working to rebuild itself through community efforts, economic development and updated infrastructure.
Planes, trains, buses and automobiles
Served by Interstates 20 and 220, and 13 miles from the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport, the neighborhood lets residents travel around the city, state, or anywhere else they desire with minimal fuss. Highways 80 and 49 also help people commute the five miles downtown or to nearby Clinton. The Jackson Amtrack train station rests at the neighborhood's edge, and fixed bus routes in and around the area take locals to the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center 3.5 miles away or to Jackson State University. Bike lanes and sidewalks are found closer to downtown, although Mississippi has introduced a state-wide initiative to create more bike lanes and pedestrian infrastructure.
A multitude of housing styles for a wide range of prices
“West Jackson stands out because of the college. It's made of multiple neighborhoods, and most people buy there because it’s more affordable than North or South Jackson. It’s an investors’ playground with a lot of housing,” says Kimm Hackett, a Realtor with eXp Realty and more than three years of experience. “There are a lot of renters in the area due to the college, and people go to North Jackson for amenities like fast food restaurants.”
There are plenty of investment and starter homes in West Jackson, and prices vary widely depending on the amount of renovation needed. There are a multitude of housing styles due to parts of the area being built in different eras. Classic ranch-style homes dominate certain communities, while other streets are filled with historic cottages, Craftsman houses or Midcentury designs. The average home price is $69,000, with most houses selling after 70 days. Cottages can begin around $10,000 and typically end in the $80,000 range, while a Craftsman can start around $25,000 and continue into the $100,000 range. Ranch-style home prices begin around $40,000 and continue to over $130,000.
A touch of nature among shops and restaurants
The neighborhood’s centerpiece is the century-old Jackson Zoo. It participates in Species Survival Programs for several of its endangered animals and was founded in 1916 in a downtown firehouse. The facility moved to its current location in 1921, and some of its original structures, like the Monkey Castle or Elephant House Café, are still in operation. Speaking of dining, there are fast-casual, quick-service and locally owned restaurants throughout the area, but they’re mainly concentrated along the Highway 80 corridor and Ellis Avenue. Local favorites include Stamps Super Burgers, Country Fisherman and Angry Rooster. For groceries, there’s a Save-a-Lot at the neighborhood’s edge, and centrally located Westland Plaza contains a Family Dollar, Walgreens Pharmacy, Hibbett Sports and Rainbow Shops.
One of Mississippi’s only botanical gardens
West Jackson is home to one of the city’s most popular green spaces, the Mynelle Gardens Arboretum and Botanical Center. A haven for plants and wildlife, the center has hundreds of flowers, like daylilies, azaleas and camellias, growing along trails in the seven-acre garden. There are a handful of neighborhood parks, too. Jayne Avenue Park features a walking track and playground alongside a community center and basketball courts. Sheppard Brothers Park occupies part of the neighborhood’s southern portion, with multiple athletic fields and courts, a gymnasium and a senior citizen center. A walking trail and playground attract people from around the city, and a park ranger is available to answer questions about local plants and animals.
A multitude of public schools west of downtown Jackson
Children in West Jackson are zoned for Jackson Public Schools, the third-largest public school district in the state. They can attend several elementary schools, including Clausell, Blackburn Middle and Provine High School. Clausell Elementary earned a C-minus from Niche and serves kindergarten through fifth grade. Blackburn Middle has a C-minus overall, with a B for its teachers. It teaches sixth through eighth grade and offers volleyball and football for budding athletes. Provine High has a C and educates ninth through 12th grades. Incoming students participate in the Freshman Academy, a program designed to ease the transition between middle and high school. There’s also a career development center in the neighborhood. This vocational school helps students prepare for a skilled trade career after graduation. Jackson State University is a Carnegie-classified research facility founded in 1877. Since then, the Historically Black College has added over 90 programs for its scholars, including a STEM pathway ranked fifth in the country by the National Institute of Health.
Dozens of worship centers in the Capital City
There are almost 50 houses of worship in West Jackson, primarily for a variety of Protestant Christian denominations. Catholic churches and worship centers catering to Spanish speakers can also be found throughout the area.
Environmental factors and crime
The city experienced a water crisis in 2022 when heavy rains caused the Pearl River to overflow and highlighted infrastructure issues. The resulting flood waters infiltrated the water supply, making it unsafe for consumption. While that situation has been rectified, the city’s water system is undergoing restructuring to better maintain its infrastructure, and boil-water warnings can be common in the area. Crime is another issue affecting West Jackson. The area’s crime risk is higher than the national average, with an overall CAP Index score of 6 out of 10. Both violent and property crimes are higher than average, and to combat the problem, the city is receiving additional funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate firearm violence.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Joye Norwood,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Belhaven Park
Clinton Bark Park
Battlefield Park
Mynelle Gardens
Picnic Area
Trails
Le Fleur's Campground
Smith Park
Transit
Airport
Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International
27 min drive
Bus
Amite & Bratton
Bus
Broad St. & Grand Ave.
Bus
Hill Dr & Magnolia Dr
Bus
Bailey Ave. & Oak St.
Bus
Metro Pkwy & Valley St
Bus
Prentiss St. & Central St.
Bus
Robinson & Jr Lynch
West Jackson Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in West Jackson, Jackson sell after 79 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in West Jackson, Jackson over the last 12 months is $430,000, up 19% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This property, located on a corner lot, is great for an investor to fix and flip or for use as an investment property. Needs a little TLC and is priced accordingly. However, the seller is willing to have the home renovated to FHA standards upon receiving and entering into a contract with an increased price above the current list price, that is sufficient to cover the cost of the renovation and
Investment Opportunity !! lot for sale!!! Ideal for building a starter home or as a great investment. Contact me today for details and seize this opportunity
3BR/2BA ranch style home is move-in ready and waiting for you! Neutral paint throughout & an eat-in kitchen with great storage and cabinet space. Bedrooms are ample and include a roomy master with a private bath. *VOUCHERS ACCEPTED
This property is managed by Beztak, 2025 recipient of the US Best Managed Companies for the sixth year in a row, sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. Call and let us tell you why! Enjoy living the good life at Arbor Park! Located in Jackson, our spacious one, two, and three bedroom apartments were designed with your unique lifestyle in mind. With features like fully equipped
Welcome to The Park at Queens Court, a unique apartment home community, peaceful surrounding in Jackson, MS. We represent a collaboration of a truly exceptional living experience offering spacious one and two bedroom apartment homes. Visually striking, instantly comfortable, The Park at Queens Court embodies the finest qualities of contemporary living.We are also proud to present to
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Joye Norwood,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
33,618
Median Age
36
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$25,348
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$35,981
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
80.4%
College Graduates
16.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.8%
% Population in Labor Force
54%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
54''
Average Winter Low Temperature
37°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
2/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
11/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
