Poverty and living standards in Jackson, Tennessee: official figures
22.2% of residents of Jackson (14,378 people) had incomes below the federal poverty line in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, 86th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 12.5%; Tennessee: 13.8%).
How many children live in poverty in Jackson?
32.1% of children under 18 in Jackson lived below the poverty line in 2020-2024 (5,249 children), 55th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 16.1%; Tennessee: 18.8%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the poverty rate for older people in Jackson?
By age, the poverty rate in Jackson was 29.9% for children under 6 and 16.0% for residents aged 60 and over in 2020-2024 (US: 17.2% and 11.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Jackson live in deep poverty?
6,861 people in Jackson, 10.6% of residents, had incomes below half the poverty line in 2020-2024, 94th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many renters in Jackson are cost-burdened?
56.0% of renting households in Jackson spent 30% or more of their income on rent and utilities in 2020-2024 (6,911 households), 275th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 51.1%; Tennessee: 48.8%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Jackson spend half their income on rent?
29.3% of renting households in Jackson spent half or more of their income on rent and utilities, 259th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 25.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Jackson compares with other cities in the United States
Residents below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Jackson ranks 86 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 83 | Las Cruces | 22.6% |
| 84 | New Orleans | 22.6% |
| 85 | Logan | 22.3% |
| 86 | Jackson | 22.2% |
| 87 | Dearborn Heights | 21.9% |
| 88 | Trenton | 21.6% |
| 89 | Montgomery | 21.5% |
Children under 18 below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Jackson ranks 55 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children under 18 below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | New Orleans | 32.5% |
| 53 | Montgomery | 32.5% |
| 54 | Baton Rouge | 32.4% |
| 55 | Jackson | 32.1% |
| 56 | Dearborn Heights | 32.1% |
| 57 | Passaic | 32.1% |
| 58 | Jonesboro | 31.9% |
Residents with incomes below half the poverty line (2020-2024)
Jackson ranks 94 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents with incomes below half the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 91 | Decatur | 10.7% |
| 92 | Anderson | 10.7% |
| 93 | Akron | 10.7% |
| 94 | Jackson | 10.6% |
| 95 | Savannah | 10.6% |
| 96 | Ocala | 10.6% |
| 97 | Lynchburg | 10.5% |
Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent (2020-2024)
Jackson ranks 275 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent |
|---|---|---|
| 272 | San Clemente | 56.0% |
| 273 | Thousand Oaks | 56.0% |
| 274 | Fort Worth | 56.0% |
| 275 | Jackson | 56.0% |
| 276 | Albany | 55.9% |
| 277 | Plainfield | 55.9% |
| 278 | Auburn | 55.9% |
More on Jackson: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B17020: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Age (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e79a292f34605560506b7f4b5c8ea242c9d6e203c8e95ba675565ddb7758571e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 41bab025d213…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C17002: Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 dc3dc675113683ec3ff2a0e29a840f43e03268151d7f14b922658d7306da5187), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 31aa364bfddf…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25070: Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 862ccc17d913305d11e6f802ce4518d76b30585ea0b05b251cd8cf21f8661386), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4f8d499d9e95…)
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