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Jackson County, Florida facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Jacksonville, Florida.
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Jackson County
County
Jackson County Courthouse
Jackson County Courthouse
Official seal of Jackson County
Seal
Map of Florida highlighting Jackson County
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Florida
Founded August 12, 1822
Named for Andrew Jackson
Seat Marianna
Largest city Marianna
Area
 • Total 955 sq mi (2,470 km2)
 • Land 918 sq mi (2,380 km2)
 • Water 37 sq mi (100 km2)  3.9%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 47,319
 • Estimate 
(2023)
 48,622 Increase
 • Density 49.549/sq mi (19.131/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 2nd

Jackson County is a county in Florida. It is in the northwestern part of the state. The county borders Alabama. In 2020, about 47,319 people lived here. The main city and county seat is Marianna.

History of Jackson County

Jackson County was created in 1822. This happened when Florida was still a territory, not yet a state. It was one of the first counties formed in Florida. The county was named after Andrew Jackson. He was Florida's first military governor.

When Jackson County was first made, it was much bigger. Over time, new counties were formed from its land. By 1840, it was close to its current size.

There were no towns in the county at first. The first county court meetings were held at different springs. These included "Robinson's Big Spring" and the "Big Spring of the Choctawhatchee."

Marianna Becomes the County Seat

Marianna became the county seat. This means it was chosen as the main city for the county government. It was founded in 1821 by Robert Beveridge.

Another town, Webbville, was the first county seat. It was about 9 miles (14 km) from Marianna. But in 1828, Marianna's settlers wanted the county seat moved. They offered free land and money to the Florida Legislature. They also promised to build a courthouse.

Their plan worked. Marianna became the new county seat in 1829. Webbville then lost its importance. Many people moved to Marianna. Today, Webbville no longer exists.

The Jackson County War

From 1869 to 1871, Jackson County saw a conflict. It was called the Jackson County War. This was a time of tension after the American Civil War. Some former Confederate Army soldiers were part of the Ku Klux Klan. They tried to keep political power for white Democrats. They targeted Republican officials and African-American leaders. Over 150 people were killed during this time.

Geography of Jackson County

Jackson County covers about 955 square miles (2,473 sq km). Most of this is land, about 918 square miles (2,378 sq km). The rest is water, which is about 37 square miles (96 sq km).

Jackson County is special because it borders two other states. It touches both Georgia and Alabama.

The county is in the Central Time Zone. Its eastern border is where the Central and Eastern Standard Time Zones meet.

Neighboring Counties

Population of Jackson County

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1830 3,907 —
1840 4,681 19.8%
1850 6,639 41.8%
1860 10,209 53.8%
1870 9,528 −6.7%
1880 14,372 50.8%
1890 17,544 22.1%
1900 23,377 33.2%
1910 29,821 27.6%
1920 31,224 4.7%
1930 31,969 2.4%
1940 34,428 7.7%
1950 34,645 0.6%
1960 36,208 4.5%
1970 34,434 −4.9%
1980 39,154 13.7%
1990 41,375 5.7%
2000 46,755 13.0%
2010 49,746 6.4%
2020 47,319 −4.9%
2023 (est.) 48,622 −2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2020

People in 2020

In 2020, there were 47,319 people living in Jackson County. There were about 17,149 households.

Jackson County Population by Race
(Not including Hispanic people)
Race Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2010 % 2020
White 33,111 30,629 66.56% 64.73%
Black or African American 13,106 12,042 26.35% 25.45%
Native American or Alaska Native 305 196 0.61% 0.41%
Asian 227 292 0.46% 0.62%
Pacific Islander 25 18 0.05% 0.04%
Some Other Race 50 144 0.1% 0.3%
Mixed/Multi-Racial 779 1,783 1.57% 3.77%
Hispanic or Latino 2,143 2,215 4.31% 4.68%
Total 49,746 47,319

Education in Jackson County

The Jackson County School Board runs all the public schools in the county.

Jackson County also has two colleges:

  • Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
  • Chipola College in Marianna.

Libraries in Jackson County

The Jackson County Public Library System has three branches. It is also part of the Panhandle Public Library Cooperative System. This system also includes libraries in Holmes and Calhoun counties.

  • Marianna
  • Graceville
  • Greenwood

Transportation in Jackson County

Airports

The main airport in Jackson County is Marianna Municipal Airport. It used to be called Graham Air Base. There are also smaller airports for private planes.

Major Roads

Jackson County FL sign US90
The sign for Jackson County on U.S. Route 90.
  • I-10 (Interstate 10) is a major highway. It runs east to west through the southern part of the county for 33 miles.
  • US 90 (U.S. Highway 90) was the main east-west road. Now I-10 is busier.
  • US 231 (U.S. Highway 231) runs north to south. It goes through the western part of the county.
  • SR 2 is an east-west road. It runs close to the Alabama border.
  • SR 69 is a north-south road. It goes through towns like Grand Ridge and Two Egg.
  • SR 71 is a north-south road. It passes the Marianna Municipal Airport. It goes through Malone and then into Alabama.
  • SR 73 is a north-south road. It goes through Marianna and connects to US 231.
  • SR 77 is a north-south road. It runs through Graceville and into Alabama.
  • SR 166 is a short road. It runs through Marianna and nearby rural areas.
  • SR 273 is a north-south road in the northwestern part of the county.
  • SR 276 is mainly in Marianna. It also has parts in nearby counties.

Railroads

Jackson County has two main railroad lines. One is the CSX P&A Subdivision. This line used to carry Amtrak passenger trains. The other is the Bay Line Railroad. It runs from Panama City through Campbellton. These two lines meet in Cottondale.

Communities in Jackson County

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated Communities

These are smaller places without their own city government.

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Jackson County, Florida Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.