Jackson, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Jackson is a city in Clarke County
, Alabama
, United States
. The population was 5,228 at the 2010 census. It is one of three wet settlements in an otherwise-dry county
.
of 2000, there were 5,419 people, 2,094 households, and 1,507 families residing in the city. The population density
was 358.7 people per square mile (138.5/km²). There were 2,341 housing units at an average density of 155.0 per square mile (59.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 60.42% White
, 38.49% African American
, 0.26% Native American
, 0.37% Asian
, 0.20% from other races
, and 0.26% from two or more races. Hispanic
or Latino
of any race were 0.65% of the population.
There were 2,094 households out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples
living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,806, and the median income for a family was $45,516. Males had a median income of $43,558 versus $21,125 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,346. About 15.3% of families and 21.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.9% of those under age 18 and 20.1% of those age 65 or over.
. Former names for the city include Pine Level and Republicville.
During the Civil War
, a Confederate
fort was established on the banks of the Tombigbee River
. The fort was named Fort Carney and was positioned on Carney's Bluff just south of Jackson. The cannon that was on the bluff now sits in front of City Hall.
Jackson has four sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. They are the Jackson Historic District
, Clarke Mills
, Doit W. McClellan Lustron House
, and J. P. McKee Lustron House
.
During World War II
, a prisoner-of-war camp
was built and operated holding 253 captured Nazi soldiers
on Ocre Ave. The camp was opened April 6, 1945 and closed March 12, 1946. Many of the prisoners were members of the Afrika Korps
.
has a large paper mill that is the largest employer located in the city.
Clarke County, Alabama
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*54.5% White*43.9% Black*0.4% Native American*0.3% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*0.7% Two or more races*1.0% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 5,228 at the 2010 census. It is one of three wet settlements in an otherwise-dry county
Dry county
A dry county is a county in the United States whose government forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sale, some prohibit on-premises sale, and some prohibit both. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States, almost all of them in the South...
.
Geography
Jackson is located at coordinates 31.521°N 87.891°W. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.2 square miles (39.4 km²), of which, 15.1 square miles (39.1 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) (0.53%) is water.Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,419 people, 2,094 households, and 1,507 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 358.7 people per square mile (138.5/km²). There were 2,341 housing units at an average density of 155.0 per square mile (59.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 60.42% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 38.49% African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.26% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.37% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.20% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.26% from two or more races. Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race were 0.65% of the population.
There were 2,094 households out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,806, and the median income for a family was $45,516. Males had a median income of $43,558 versus $21,125 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,346. About 15.3% of families and 21.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.9% of those under age 18 and 20.1% of those age 65 or over.
History
Jackson was founded in 1816 and is named after President Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
. Former names for the city include Pine Level and Republicville.
During the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, a Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
fort was established on the banks of the Tombigbee River
Tombigbee River
The Tombigbee River is a tributary of the Mobile River, approximately 200 mi long, in the U.S. states of Mississippi and Alabama. It is one of two major rivers, along with the Alabama River, that unite to form the short Mobile River before it empties into Mobile Bay on the Gulf of Mexico...
. The fort was named Fort Carney and was positioned on Carney's Bluff just south of Jackson. The cannon that was on the bluff now sits in front of City Hall.
Jackson has four sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. They are the Jackson Historic District
Jackson Historic District (Jackson, Alabama)
The Jackson Historic District is a historic district in the city of Jackson, Alabama. Jackson was founded in 1816 and is the oldest incorporated settlement in Clarke County. The historic district features examples of Greek Revival, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and regional vernacular architecture...
, Clarke Mills
Clarke Mills
Clarke Mills is a historic textile factory building in Jackson, Alabama. It was designed in the Moderne style by H.B. Bieberstein. The facility was completed in 1939 and was occupied by the Vanity Fair Corporation throughout much of its history. Clarke Mills was added to the National Register of...
, Doit W. McClellan Lustron House
Doit W. McClellan Lustron House
The Doit W. McClellan Lustron House is a historic enameled steel prefabricated house in Jackson, Alabama. Designed and constructed by the Lustron Corporation, this example is one of two in Jackson. The other, the J. P...
, and J. P. McKee Lustron House
J. P. McKee Lustron House
The J. P. McKee Lustron House is a historic enameled steel prefabricated house in Jackson, Alabama. Designed and constructed by the Lustron Corporation, this example is one of two in Jackson. The other, the Doit W. McClellan Lustron House, is just around the corner from the McKee Lustron.Lustron...
.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a prisoner-of-war camp
Prisoner-of-war camp
A prisoner-of-war camp is a site for the containment of combatants captured by their enemy in time of war, and is similar to an internment camp which is used for civilian populations. A prisoner of war is generally a soldier, sailor, or airman who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or...
was built and operated holding 253 captured Nazi soldiers
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
on Ocre Ave. The camp was opened April 6, 1945 and closed March 12, 1946. Many of the prisoners were members of the Afrika Korps
Afrika Korps
The German Africa Corps , or the Afrika Korps as it was popularly called, was the German expeditionary force in Libya and Tunisia during the North African Campaign of World War II...
.
Economy
The economy of Jackson is driven chiefly by the timber industry. Boise CascadeBoise Cascade
Boise Cascade Holdings, LLC, which uses the trade name Boise, is an American pulp and paper company, ranked as the thirteenth largest forest products company in the world....
has a large paper mill that is the largest employer located in the city.
Education
- Alabama Southern Community CollegeAlabama Southern Community CollegeAlabama Southern Community College is a community college system that operates in southwest Alabama, United States. Alabama Southern was formed in 1991 by the merger of Patrick Henry Junior College in Monroeville, Alabama and Hobson State Technical College in Thomasville, Alabama. The Thomasville...
- Jackson Academy
- http://clarkecounty.jms.schoolinsites.com Jackson Middle School
- Jackson High School
- Jackson Intermediate
- Joe M. Gillmore Elementary
- Walker Springs Road Baptist Academy
External links
- The South Alabamian – local newspaper covering Jackson and surrounding area