Melinda Young
As published in Scotsman Guide's Commercial Edition, October 2007.
As the site of two major Civil War battles and some well-known incidents from the Civil Rights movement, Jackson might be best recognized for its past.
But for city officials focused on rejuvenating the downtown core to stop suburban flight, the future is what matters now.
More than $1 billion in development and redevelopment has been completed or is in the works, according to the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau. Development efforts cover the gamut of commercial property types. One recently opened project, the Mississippi TelCom Center, surpassed its first-year booking and revenue goals in 2006. Local business-leaders also anticipate the Capitol City Convention Center opening in 2008.
"We're focusing on business development and quality of life," says John Lawrence, president of Downtown Jackson Partners, "and we're trying to create a downtown neighborhood with a pedestrian urban atmosphere."
He estimates that almost 500 downtown multifamily units will open in the next two years.
The efforts of Lawrence's groups and others to breathe more life into the Mississippi capital could be bolstered by the city's low median home price and cost of living. So while Jackson does face economic challenges -- high unemployment rates and crime rates included -- it seems intent on overcoming them.
VITALS
↓ Population: 176,614
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Population in 2000: 184,256
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Metropolitan-area population: 529,456
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Metropolitan-area rank: 93rd largest
↓ Average commute: 18.8 minutes
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Average commute in 2000: 20.1 minutes
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U.S: 25.1 minutes
↑ Median household income: $31,177
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Median household income in 2000: $30,414
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U.S.: $46,242
↓ Median home price in metropolitan statistical area (June): $145,100
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Median home price in June 2006: $149,300
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U.S.: $222,000
↑ Median monthly housing costs: $923
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Median monthly housing costs in 2000: $769
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U.S.: $1,295
↑ Median age: 31.9 years
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Median age in 2000: 31 years
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U.S.: 36.4 years
↓ Unemployment (June): 6.3 percent
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Unemployment in June 2006: 6.5 percent
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U.S.: 4.5 percent
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