Jackson County Mississippi
Named for President Andrew Jackson, Jackson County MS is located at the southeast tip of Mississippi on the Alabama state line. Its county seat is Pascagoula and it is part of the Pascagoula Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. Jackson County became part of the US when it was transitioned from Spanish to American rule in 1810 and was made part of the Mississippi Territory.
The greatest resources of the county have always been and still are its people and its strategic waterways. The consistency of the county lies in progressive leadership and the ability to adapt to progressive or challenging times. In 1840, The Port of Pascagoula opened the Mississippi Sound to Mobile Bay, the shipping industry was birthed and the County’s timber and industry prospered. The Jackson County Port Authority was organized in 1958 and the county was successful in securing federal and state aid to further develop the economy.
Jackson County offers the perfect balance between big city living and small-town charm. Nestled along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, the county is made up of four distinctly different incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities which offer anything you might want for your next home.
Incorporated cities within Jackson County are Gautier, Moss Point, Ocean Springs, and Pascagoula. Census-designated places within the county include Hurley, Vancleave and Wade and several others. In the 2000 census, there were 131,420 people in 47,676 households in the county. Twenty-eight percent of those households had children under 18 years of age. The Jackson County School District provides education throughout the county and has a Level 5 accreditation which is the highest possible in Mississippi.
Outdoor Recreation
There are plenty of recreational opportunities. Jackson County Parks and Recreation is responsible for maintenance of the many parks and ball fields, the beaches and boat ramps, and the horse arena; but there are many other activities available throughout Jackson County such as hunting, fishing, golfing and bird-watching. Pristine rivers run throughout the state, and the Gulf coastal area offers gorgeous white sand beaches.
Arts & Entertainment
The arts are alive and well in Jackson County MS. You can attend performances of Ballet Mississippi, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the New Stage or Polarity Dance Theatre - and that's just a partial list. There are also a variety of museums and art galleries. The Russell C. Davis Planetarium in Jackson is one of the largest planetariums in the Southeast, and presents films in an IMAX theatre. |