Jackson, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
Jackson is a town in East Feliciana Parish
, Louisiana
, United States
. The population was 4,130 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Baton Rouge
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
from 1845 until 1908, when it relocated to Shreveport
.
The parish of Jackson was founded in 1815 as the Seat of Justice for Feliciana Parish
before the parish was divided into East and West. The town also served as a major commercial center and as a center for education, earning it the title "Athens of the South". Legend holds that the town was originally called Bear Corners for the many wild black bears crossing nearby Thompson's Creek, and that it eventually took its name from General Andrew Jackson
, who reportedly camped there with his troops on a return trip north after the 1815 Battle of New Orleans
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 4.5 square miles (11.7 km²), of which, 4.5 square miles (11.7 km²) of it is land and 0.224% is water.
of 2000, there were 4,130 people, 841 households, and 596 families residing in the town. The population density
was 924.2 people per square mile (356.7/km²). There were 992 housing units at an average density of 222.0 per square mile (85.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 46.56% White, 52.30% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.07% from other races
, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.34% of the population.
There were 841 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples
living together, 21.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the town the population was spread out with 15.1% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 44.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 226.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 264.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $27,455, and the median income for a family was $32,450. Males had a median income of $20,917 versus $17,896 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $12,039. About 18.7% of families and 27.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.8% of those under age 18 and 20.2% of those age 65 or over.
, Centenary State Historic Site, and Feliciana Cellars Winery are located in Jackson.
in Jackson.
serves Jackson.
Schools within Jackson include:
East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana
East Feliciana Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Clinton. In 2000, the population was 21,360.East Feliciana Parish is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Baton Rouge–Pierre Part Combined Statistical...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 4,130 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Baton Rouge metropolitan area
The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is a sprawling area consisting of nine parishes in Louisiana, anchored by the city of Baton Rouge...
.
History
Jackson was the location of first the College of Louisiana from 1825 until 1845 and the Methodist-affiliated Centenary CollegeCentenary College of Louisiana
Centenary College of Louisiana is a primarily undergraduate, liberal arts and sciences college in Shreveport, Louisiana. The college is one of the founding members of the Associated Colleges of the South, a pedagogical organization consisting of sixteen Southern liberal arts colleges...
from 1845 until 1908, when it relocated to Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
.
The parish of Jackson was founded in 1815 as the Seat of Justice for Feliciana Parish
Feliciana Parish, Louisiana
Feliciana Parish is a former parish of Louisiana, formed in 1810 from West Florida territory. It was divided in 1824 into East Feliciana Parish and West Feliciana Parish. Feliciana is a Spanish word meaning Happy Land. It originated in 1775 and was named by Spanish Governor Galvez...
before the parish was divided into East and West. The town also served as a major commercial center and as a center for education, earning it the title "Athens of the South". Legend holds that the town was originally called Bear Corners for the many wild black bears crossing nearby Thompson's Creek, and that it eventually took its name from General Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
, who reportedly camped there with his troops on a return trip north after the 1815 Battle of New Orleans
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans took place on January 8, 1815 and was the final major battle of the War of 1812. American forces, commanded by Major General Andrew Jackson, defeated an invading British Army intent on seizing New Orleans and the vast territory the United States had acquired with the...
.
Geography
Jackson is located at 30°52′15"N 91°12′52"W (30.837588, -91.214436).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 4.5 square miles (11.7 km²), of which, 4.5 square miles (11.7 km²) of it is land and 0.224% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,130 people, 841 households, and 596 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 924.2 people per square mile (356.7/km²). There were 992 housing units at an average density of 222.0 per square mile (85.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 46.56% White, 52.30% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.07% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.34% of the population.
There were 841 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 21.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the town the population was spread out with 15.1% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 44.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 226.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 264.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $27,455, and the median income for a family was $32,450. Males had a median income of $20,917 versus $17,896 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $12,039. About 18.7% of families and 27.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.8% of those under age 18 and 20.2% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
The Republic of West Florida historical MuseumMuseum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
, Centenary State Historic Site, and Feliciana Cellars Winery are located in Jackson.
Government and infrastructure
The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections operates the Dixon Correctional InstituteDixon Correctional Institute
Dixon Correctional Institute is a prison facility in Jackson, Louisiana. DCI, a facility of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, is approximately from Baton Rouge...
in Jackson.
Primary and secondary schools
East Feliciana Parish School BoardEast Feliciana Parish School Board
East Feliciana Parish School Board is a school district headquartered in Clinton, Louisiana, United States. The district serves students in East Feliciana Parish.-High school:* East Feliciana High School...
serves Jackson.
Schools within Jackson include:
- Jackson High School http://www.efpsb.k12.la.us/JacksonHigh.cfm
- Jackson Middle School
- Jackson Elementary School
Notable natives and residents
- Tom McVeaTom McVeaThomas Houston McVea, known as Tom McVea , is a cattleman from St. Francisville in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, who is a retiring Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 62, which encompasses parts of the Florida Parishes of East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana,...
, Louisiana state representativeLouisiana State LegislatureThe Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
, 1980-1984 and since 2000, maintains his office in Jackson. - Eddie Robinson (1919–2007), footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coachCoach (sport)In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
.