Higher Education in the Jackson, TN Metro Area

According to the 2005 American Community Survey in the Jackson, TN Metro Area, the most common level of education achieved in the area for the male population is the High School Diploma category, with 34.2 percent receiving this level of education. The women in the Jackson metro area on average have achieved a greater level of higher education (Bachelors or Higher) than men -- 19 percent (Men) versus 21.4 percent (Women). The largest educational attainment category for women is High School Diploma category, with 32.8 percent of the areas female population attaining this level of education.

Since 2000, the Jackson metro area has increased in the percent of the population that is over the age of 25 with a BA or Higher. This population cohort has grown by 0.4 percent to a total of 20.4 percent in 2005, according to the American Community Survey. The 2005 proportion of highly educated population is less than the 2005 State of Tennessee percent of 21.8 and less than the US percent of 27.2.

From 2000 to 2005, the percent of male population that is highly educated has decreased by 3.0 percent. By the year 2005, 19 percent of area's male population (+25) achieved a BA or Higher. During the same period, the percent of women (+25) that have earned a BA or higher has increased by a total of 2.8 percent. By the year 2005, a total of 21.4 percent of the female population having received at least a Bachelors Degree.

In the Jackson, TN Metro Area as reported in the 2005 American Community Survey, 23.2 percent of the White Alone, 11.4 percent of Black or African American, . percent of the Asian alone and . percent of the Hispanic or Latino population, over the age 25, has achieved a Bachelors Degree or Higher.

Jackson, TN Metro Area is made up of a moderately-educated working age population, with 20.4 percent of the population (+25) having received at least a Bachelors Degree, as reported in the 2005 American Community Survey. The Jackson MSA is reported having a lower percent of population with high education level than the State of Tennessee's proportion of 21.8 percent and a lower percent than the US proportion of 27.2 percent.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.

Demographic Profile for Jackson, TN

From 2000, a medium-high amount of people migrated into the Jackson metro area, with 831 people migrating in from outside the country. The immigration into Jackson makes up 1.7 percent of the total migration into the State of Tennessee. This percent of immigration can be considered medium-high when compared to international migration per 2005 population.

The Jackson metropolitan statistical area (MSA) has a population that is made of 65.7 percent White, 30.5 percent African American, 0.7 percent Asian, and 2.2 percent Hispanic. The area population base can be described as having a high level of racial and ethnic diversity, with 33.4 percent minorities. This is greater than the State of Tennessee percent of 20.9. Since 2000, Jackson has increased the level of diversity when 31.4 percent of the people were minorities.

The Jackson metro area had a total estimated population of 110,857 in 2005. The estimated population has increased, since its 2000 population of 107,563. This growth shows an increase of 3.1 percent. Jackson ranks 9 of 10 MSAs when analyzing total population change in Tennessee and the metro area ranks 267 of 361 metro areas when analyzing total MSA population change across the nation.

In 2005, the Census Bureau estimated the median age in the Jackson metro area to be 36.0 years old. The median age in Jackson is less than the median age for the State of Tennessee of 37.3. Since the year 2000, the area has witnessed an increase in the median age, when it was 34.6 years old. With 306 percent of the 2005 population being comprised of individuals under the age of 18, Jackson can be understood as having a medium-high percent of people under 18. The 18 to 64 years old population group has a relatively high presence of the population, with 65.8 percent of the population within the age category. People 65 years old and older make up 10.4 percent of the total population in the area. Compared to other metro areas in the US, this represents a medium-low percent of the population base.

When calculating the total land area, the Jackson metro area covers a total land area of 846 total square miles. The area has a medium-low average area density of 131 persons per square mile, in 2005. Similar metro areas, in terms of density, in the US include: -- more densely populated -- Montgomery (131 per sq. mile ), Joplin (131 per sq. mile ), Springfield (132 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Bowling Green (131 per sq. mile ), Chico (131 per sq. mile ), Pascagoula (130 per sq. mile ).

Datasource: Population Estimates Program, U.S. Bureau of the Census.