1st Advantage MortgageAbout 75% of Jackson County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $66,073. 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
- Housing costs in Jackson County
- How much Jackson County households make
- Jobs and commutes in Jackson County
- The communities that make up Jackson County
- Regional comparison for Jackson County
- More Jackson County figures
- Reading the Jackson County data as a borrower
- Room for a loan payment in Jackson County
- Steps before you apply in Jackson County
- Checking a lender's license in Michigan
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Jackson County
Roughly 160,060 residents live in Jackson County, Michigan, 14th by population among the state's 83 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 702 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 228 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Jackson, MI metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Jackson is the biggest of its 13 Census places, at roughly 31,058 people (19% of the county total).
Housing costs in Jackson County
Renters in Jackson County pay a median of $985 a month, 13% below the Michigan figure of $1,129. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 25% spend half or more. With a median value of $193,700, a typical Jackson County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 75% of homes.
| Home costs | Jackson County | Michigan | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $985/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $193,700 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 10% | 12% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Jackson County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
How much Jackson County households make
At $66,073, the typical Jackson County household income sits near the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 32nd of 83.
| Household income | Jackson County | vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.3% | +0.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.4% | +3.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.7% | -1.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.7% | -2.9 pts |
Some 23% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 31% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 11.6% of Jackson County residents in poverty, against 13.2% across Michigan. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.445 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Jobs and commutes in Jackson County
The biggest employer of Jackson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by manufacturing (20%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.5% in Jackson County. About 79% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 6.7% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Jackson County | Gap to Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.8% | +1.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.6% | +1.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.4% | -1.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.8% | -0.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.3% | -3.0 pts |
| Construction | 6.3% | +0.4 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.
The communities that make up Jackson County
The table lists the 13 largest of 13 Census places in Jackson County, by population. Together all 13 hold about 50,466 people, so roughly 68% of residents live outside any named place. Vineyard Lake has the highest median household income on the list ($86,146) and Jackson the lowest ($44,558), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Concord ($794) and steepest in Michigan Center ($1,328). This guide covers each of the 13 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | city | 31,058 | $44,558 | $898 | 1 mi |
| Michigan Center | CDP | 4,999 | $63,704 | $1,328 | 5 mi |
| Vandercook Lake | CDP | 4,375 | $59,262 | $1,141 | 4 mi |
| Spring Arbor | CDP | 2,275 | $63,631 | $910 | 7 mi |
| Grass Lake | village | 1,186 | $80,938 | $961 | 11 mi |
| Brooklyn | village | 1,180 | $56,324 | $1,021 | 13 mi |
| Concord | village | 1,118 | $60,625 | $794 | 13 mi |
| Vineyard Lake | CDP | 1,031 | $86,146 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Springport | village | 871 | $46,417 | $926 | 17 mi |
| Napoleon | CDP | 745 | $54,076 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Cement City | village | 629 | $52,708 | $1,006 | 13 mi |
| Parma | village | 624 | $71,250 | $1,065 | 7 mi |
| Hanover | village | 375 | $62,656 | $978 | 12 mi |
Regional comparison for Jackson County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (25 to 32 miles). 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Jackson County; Washtenaw County is highest at $89,180 and Calhoun County lowest at $63,177.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | - | $66,073 | $985/mo | 75% |
| Ingham County, MI | 25 mi | $65,526 | $1,084/mo | 59% |
| Hillsdale County, MI | 25 mi | $64,242 | $832/mo | 82% |
| Washtenaw County, MI | 30 mi | $89,180 | $1,463/mo | 62% |
| Lenawee County, MI | 30 mi | $70,518 | $987/mo | 80% |
| Calhoun County, MI | 30 mi | $63,177 | $968/mo | 73% |
| Eaton County, MI | 32 mi | $79,597 | $1,092/mo | 74% |
More Jackson County figures
23% of Jackson County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 4.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Jackson County | Michigan | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.4% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.6% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.9% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.7% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.8% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.6% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.5% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.7% |
| 60+ min | 5.9% |
Reading the Jackson County data as a borrower
What the Jackson County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Tight rental budgets. With 45% of Jackson County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Room for a loan payment in Jackson County
Here is the Jackson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $66,073 a year is $5,506 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $985, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,217 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Steps before you apply in Jackson County
A short checklist for Jackson County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Jackson County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Michigan borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in Michigan
Before sharing details with a lender, a Jackson County resident can confirm its license with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Michigan guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Jackson County earn?
The median is $66,073; 31% earn $100,000 or more and 23% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Jackson County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $985 a month; 45% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Jackson County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 13 Census places: Jackson, Michigan Center, Vandercook Lake, Spring Arbor, Grass Lake.
Does living in Jackson County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Jackson County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who regulates personal lenders for Jackson County residents?
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services licenses consumer lenders in Michigan; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.