Jackson Fun Facts: Hometown Tennessee lore
Think you really know Jackson? It's a city with Casey Jones memorabilia that could derail your entire afternoon, barbecue traditions that you'll have to taste to believe, some of the best southern fried catfish in the state, and Pringles factory tours that are crunchier than your average history lesson. Let's run through the facts, stats, and rockabilly secrets that showcase what makes Jackson's small-town quirks worth the detour.
Mike, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Michael is a Tennessee native who has lived, worked, or worn out tires in all three divisions of the state, from Memphis to Nashville to Johnson City, plus plenty of small towns that never make postcards. He once moved from the far northeast corner of Tennessee to the far southwest for college, stayed twenty years, then somehow boomeranged right back to Appalachia. He knows the difference between mountain quiet and river loud, will defend Memphis BBQ like its a birthright, and can point you to everything from out of the way eateries to where locals actually hunt. We are not all barefoot moonshiners, but yes, some of us know where the real stuff is. At Snappy Scout Michael uses that deep statewide mileage to refine Tennessee moving guides so they're as real as a proper BBQ smoke ring, not some oven baked liquid smoke waste of calories.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Makes Jackson Jackson?
The weird, useful, and surprisingly relevant facts that shape everyday life here.
Common nicknames for Jackson
The Hub City, JTN (if you're really trying), and J-Town or Little Memphis for locals.
Local Reality Check
People think it's rural farmland. It's actually a proper small city with Target, other great shopping outlets, and a rockin movie theatre.
You're most likely moving from
Memphis or Nashville (escaping traffic but keeping your Tennessee roots).
Strangely large concentration of
Medical facilities. Seriously, there are three hospitals for 70,000 people, although the broader Jackson metropolitan area exceeds 180,000 residents.
Music scene
Rockabilly roots with Carl Perkins, plus a solid local cover band circuit.
You'll have to see it to believe it
Casey Jones Village, a train-themed tourist complex with its own Old Country Store and restuarant with authentic down-home country cooking.
Unique Geography
Sits on a plateau between the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers, avoiding flood drama.
Jackson is home to
The International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame (yes, really).
Well known for its
Carl Perkins and being a railroad hub that actually mattered in the 1800s.
Fun history fact
Union and Confederate forces both occupied Jackson during the Civil War in 1862.
Celebrity sightings
Carl Perkins (obviously), Sonny Boy Williamson II, and occasionally touring country acts.
Noteworthy Census stat
Over 50% of residents are women (one of Tennessee's highest female-to-male ratios).
Most interesting sub-culture within Jackson
Die-hard rockabilly fans who treat Carl Perkins like Memphis treats Elvis.
Population
9th largest city in TN, and in the top 200 nationwide.
Jackson is roughly the same geographic size as
Berkeley, California (both around 50 square miles).
A Local Event Worth Experiencing Once
You can't live in Jackson without experiencing the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival just north in Humboldt. Every May since 1934, the region celebrates community with plenty of food, music, rides, pageants, cooking contests, hores shows, fireworks, and attractions that cover around nine streets of the downtown area. It lasts most of the month, so plan a few weekends to take in everything it has to offer.
— Mike Stover
Tennessee Local Expert
Ready to See If Jackson Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Jackson guide for the bigger picture.