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February 19 - April 24, 2010Party for the Planet Enrichment and More February 19 - April 4St. Johns Lenten Soup and Salad DinnersEvery Friday Weekly Friday Night Fish FryEvery Friday Night now - AprilVid WeatherwaxMarch 18, 2010My Ideal WeightMarch 18-20, 2010Musical - Fiddler on the RoofMarch 20, 2010A Visit to the Dahlem Sugar BushMarch 20 and 21Grass Lake Spring Business ExpoMarch 20, 2010Creative Voice WorkshopMarch 20, 2010Family Fun NightMarch 20, 2010Jackson Symphony concert March 21, 2010Scats and TracksMarch 23, 2010Good Morning! Greater JacksonMarch 24, 2010The 30/50 Project SpeakerMarch 25, 2010 to March 30, 2010Red

The Jackson Michigan Community

Down to Earth People Reaching New Heights

How do you define “community?” Whether you explain it as a specific group of people sharing a common heritage or a sense of feeling or togetherness, Jackson and its surrounding communities in Jackson County have it.

Jackson County has a long, extensive history as a business and entrepreneurial center. Here, residents and businesses are committed to improving the quality of life through volunteerism and financial support. The legacy of this altruism is evident in the existence and sheer volume of city and county parks, cultural resources and civic organizations.

Education is highly valued in Jackson County. Fourteen local school districts and more than a dozen private and parochial schools offer quality educational opportunities for children of all ages. And adults can continue learning through programs offered by three institutions of higher education, including Jackson Community College, Spring Arbor University and Baker College.

Welcome to our home. Welcome to Jackson.

-The Residents of Jackson County

Neighborhoods

What are you looking for in a neighborhood? Jackson has a plethora of types and styles of neighborhoods to satisfy visitors from any demographic.

The county's 19 townships and the city of Jackson, each with its own government and charming character, provide numerous neighborhood opportunities. In a county of 707 square miles and with more than 150,000 residents, there's plenty of room for privacy and estate living.

Housing prices are reasonable and generally lower than more populated counties to the north and east. Homes are available at all sizes and configurations, with costs per square foot from $45 to $140 depending on age and type of construction. Residential lots are available from $20,000 to $90,000, depending on location and amenities. Raw land is readily available throughout the county with the price per acre ranging from $4,000 to $53,000, depending on location, size of the parcel, water access and other factors.

If you prefer historic homes, you're in luck because there is no shortage throughout Jackson County. The greatest concentration is probably the 300-plus homes in the 15-block historic district. Here you will find examples of High Victorian, Craftsman-style and Ionia stone homes.

History is not the exclusive domain of the City of Jackson, however. Many fine specimens can be found in Brooklyn, Concord, Grass Lake, Hanover, Parma and Springport. Among the general historic homes are various farmhouses, located throughout the county. Many of these structures and their outbuildings have been renovated and restored.

Jackson County has a large inventory of older single-family homes in convenient, inviting and safe neighborhoods. The styles range from traditional two-story homes, cottages and bungalows to sprawling ranch and split-level plans. The difficult part is selecting which part of the county to call home.

If new home construction is your choice, you can choose from a variety of options. A new 41-lot neighborhood within Jackson offers appealing options for those seeking smaller houses or condominiums. Just south of the city are several developments with estate-sized lots and larger floor plans. Several additional developments north of the city allow prospective homebuyers to select from several desirable floor plans.

If you need assistance in selecting a neighborhood or discovering home options, discuss the subject with your realtor or contact the Jackson Area Association of Realtors (517-787-6175) for assistance.

You don't have to be a homeowner to live comfortably in Jackson County. There are several hundred apartments available for rent, many with flexible lease options. This is especially appealing to college students and young professionals. These properties range in size from a handful of rental units to dozens. The configurations range from developments to duplex arrangements and divided houses. Likewise, the amenities offered by each vary from location to location.

Similarly, Jackson County offers several hundred rental-units designed exclusively for senior citizens. These range from independent apartments and assisted living properties to skilled nursing facilities.

Population Facts

Jackson County Population: 163,629
City of Jackson Population: 36,316

Source: 2005 U.S. Census Bureau Economic Estimates/Jackson Citizen Patriot-Jackson County population and 2000 Census-City of Jackson population.

Income Facts

Total Personal Income: $3,524,791 (in thousands)
Average Per Capita Income: $22,428 (in dollars)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 Economic Est., 2000 Census/1998 Regional Economic Information System/Bureau of Economic Analysis

Cost of Living Facts

Overall: Jackson 92.2%
The total of all the cost of living categories weighted subjectively as follows: housing (30%), food and groceries (15%), transportation (10%), utilities (6%), health care (7%), and miscellaneous expenses such as clothing, services, and entertainment (32%). State and local taxes are not included in any category.

Housing: Jackson 79.4%
This is the value of the year’s most recent home sales data from Jackson Area Association of Realtors in April 2004. Sales in April 2004 remained flat at 144, but average sales price rose about 4%, from $124,889 to $130,352. Source: Jackson Area Association of Realtors, April 2004

Food and groceries: Jackson 106.7%
The average cost of food and groceries (not including restaurants).

Transportation: Jackson 97.4%
The average cost of gasoline, car insurance and maintenance expenses, and mass transit fare for the area. The cost of the vehicle and any vehicle registration and license taxes are not included.

Utilities: Jackson 82.8%
The average cost of heating or cooling a typical residence for the area, including electricity, natural gas, and fuel oil expenses.

Health care: Jackson 99.6%
The average cost of health care calculated using the standard daily rate for a hospital room, and the costs of a doctor's office visit and a dental checkup.

Miscellaneous: Jackson 98.1%
The cost index of those goods and services not included in the other cost of living categories, including clothing, restaurants, repairs, entertainment, and other services.

NOTE: The National Average for each Cost of Living Category
is 100%