Jackson Apartments and Rentals

Settled halfway between Nashville and Memphis on Interstate 40, Jackson is a popular community for those who want to have all the hometown amenities that Tennessee has to offer without the jostle of the big cities. With a population of just over 65,000 and a land area of less than 50 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, finding Jackson apartments for rent should be a cinch for Tennessee residents.

Since 9,000 B.C. until the end of the 18th century, most of west Tennessee was inhabited by Choctaw and Chickasaw Native Americans. Twenty years after statehood was given to Tennessee, the Chickasaws signed a treaty to leave the area and pioneers began to settle in the area and eventually the community was named after Tennessee's first U.S. President, Andrew Jackson. The city took shape during the South's antebellum period, and the Jackson community became a transportation hub for agricultural goods.

The railroad built commerce and trade around the city after the Civil War, moving products across the Mason-Dixon Line and building a cultural and educational hub. Several universities were founded, and blues musicians thrived as Jackson developed a diversified and commercial economy. Today, Jackson remains an important hub in west Tennessee for agricultural and industrial production.

Despite being a small city, Jackson has begun to establish itself as a college town in recent years. One of the most popular is Union University, a private university that houses 8 colleges, schools and institutes. Even though Union is a small school, students here represent 44 states and 33 countries, showcasing their diversity. Lane College is also a small school in the region that offers baccalaureate degrees in the arts and sciences. Another popular school is Jackson State Community College, whose beautiful campus offers several 2-year degrees and certifications in many different areas. If you are a student looking for apartments in Jackson for the school year, it would be wise to snag your perfect pad before the student body arrives for classes in late summer. 

Jackson leads many other cities in the state in regards to manufacturing jobs. Outside of the education and healthcare sectors, the biggest employers in Jackson are the Delta Faucet Company, the Kellogg Company, Pinnacle Foods and Stanley Black and Decker.  There are several other manufacturing employers in the area related to flooring, automobile parts and steel production as well.

Although Jackson's unemployment rate is similar to the rest of the country, the cost of living index is more than 13 points below the national average. As of 2009, the median gross rent was $678 per month. With its small town feel and comfortable cost of living, it is no wonder that Madison County saw a 9.3 percent increase from 2000 to 2010.

It should come as no surprise that one of the biggest attractions in Jackson is the Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame and Museum. In the 1950s and 1960s when Tennessee became the capital of country music, many Rock-A-Billy performances were produced and recorded in Jackson, then shipped off to labels in Memphis and Nashville. Every year, the hall of fame puts on a festival, highlighting several Rock-A-Billy performers from all over the world. 

If the great outdoors is more up your alley, the scenic trails and greenways at Cypress Grove Nature Park are perfect for nature lovers. Easily accessible by way of I-40, this preserve is home to indigenous wildlife and vegetation, most notably the beautiful cypress trees that gave the park its name.

If you are looking for an apartment for rent or a house rental in Jackson, Tenn., search for rental properties at Rent.com®.