1st Advantage MortgageIn Jackson County, Florida, the typical household earns $49,149 a year and the typical rent is $865. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Jackson County
- Paychecks and income spread in Jackson County
- Employment and commuting in Jackson County
- Jackson County housing compared with Florida
- Regional comparison for Jackson County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Jackson County
- Jackson County households compared
- Reading the Jackson County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Jackson County median
- Checklist for Jackson County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Florida
- More guides for Jackson County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Jackson County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Jackson County's population at 48,250; only 41 of Florida's 67 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 918 square miles, that is close to 53 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes Jackson County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (11 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Marianna, with about 7,150 residents, or 15% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Jackson County
Half of Jackson County households take in less than $49,149 a year and half take in more, 34% below the Florida median of $74,568.
| Band | Jackson County | Compared with Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.5% | +12.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.4% | +7.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 13.7% | -12.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.4% | -7.6 pts |
About 34% of households earn under $35,000, while 17% clear $100,000. 19.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). For a borrower in Jackson County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Employment and commuting in Jackson County
The biggest employer of Jackson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by public administration (11%). The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 11% locally and 4% for Florida. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.5% in Jackson County. 16% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. Only 3.7% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Jackson County | Difference from Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.4% | +5.5 pts |
| Public administration | 11.5% | +7.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.2% | -4.0 pts |
| Construction | 9.8% | +1.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.8% | -2.2 pts |
| Other services | 7.3% | +2.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Jackson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Jackson County housing compared with Florida
Renters in Jackson County pay a median of $865 a month, 48% below the Florida figure of $1,669. 53% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 25% spend half or more. With a median value of $120,800, a typical Jackson County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. 76% of Jackson County households own their home and 24% rent. Median construction year: 1983.
| Home costs | Jackson County | Florida | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $865/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $120,800 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 53% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 35% | n/a |
Because most Jackson County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Regional comparison for Jackson County
Seminole County is closest, 23 miles from center to center; the sixth, Decatur County, is 38 miles off. All of the six report a higher median household income than Jackson County; Houston County is highest at $58,626 and Holmes County lowest at $49,343. The list crosses into Alabama, Georgia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | - | $49,149 | $865/mo | 76% |
| Seminole County, GA | 23 mi | $49,495 | $879/mo | 80% |
| Houston County, AL | 26 mi | $58,626 | $945/mo | 64% |
| Calhoun County, FL | 28 mi | $50,517 | $779/mo | 79% |
| Washington County, FL | 30 mi | $58,210 | $888/mo | 80% |
| Holmes County, FL | 36 mi | $49,343 | $844/mo | 76% |
| Decatur County, GA | 38 mi | $53,317 | $838/mo | 62% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Jackson County
The table lists the 11 largest of 11 Census places in Jackson County, by population. Together all 11 hold about 16,962 people, so roughly 65% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $68,750 at the median in Grand Ridge, $36,959 in Cottondale. Rent is cheapest in Malone ($684) and steepest in Cottondale ($1,085). Live in one of these Jackson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marianna | city | 7,150 | $40,414 | $861 | 3 mi |
| Graceville | city | 2,483 | $41,641 | $863 | 22 mi |
| Malone | town | 1,998 | $45,000 | $684 | 12 mi |
| Sneads | town | 1,771 | $38,889 | $831 | 18 mi |
| Grand Ridge | town | 997 | $68,750 | $902 | 13 mi |
| Cottondale | town | 822 | $36,959 | $1,085 | 9 mi |
| Greenwood | town | 803 | $46,023 | $907 | 6 mi |
| Alford | town | 354 | $49,157 | $785 | 13 mi |
| Jacob City | city | 230 | $37,917 | $798 | 14 mi |
| Campbellton | town | 217 | $50,208 | $1,125 | 17 mi |
| Bascom | town | 137 | $74,000 | n/a | 11 mi |
Jackson County households compared
College graduates make up 15% of the adult population. About 9% go without health insurance.
| Jackson County | Florida | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.0 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.1% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.1% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.6% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.7% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.9% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.5% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Jackson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 19.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 30.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.7% |
| 60+ min | 8.2% |
Reading the Jackson County data as a borrower
Based on the Jackson County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Manufactured homes. 28% of Jackson County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Free help first. 19% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Renters under pressure. When 53% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Budget math at the Jackson County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Jackson County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Jackson County: $4,096
- Rent at the median, $865, takes 21% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $609 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- With a 43% ceiling, about $896 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Jackson County's.
Checklist for Jackson County applicants
Quick steps for Jackson County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Jackson County-area credit union.
- Verify the Florida license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Checking a lender's license in Florida
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Jackson County borrowers answers to the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Florida guide.
More guides for Jackson County
The Florida guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Jackson County?
$49,149 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $74,568 for Florida. It ranks 62nd of 67 in the state.
How does Jackson County rent compare with Florida?
$865 locally versus $1,669 for the state, 48% below.
I own my home in Jackson County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 76% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Jackson County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 11 Census places: Marianna, Graceville, Malone, Sneads, Grand Ridge.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Jackson County or elsewhere in Florida, the same rules apply.