Welcome to Jackson, TN!!   Jackson, located in the geographic and economic center of West Tennessee, is known as the "Hub City" and is the seat for Madison County. Located along I-40, Jackson is 85 miles east of Memphis and 130 miles west of Nashville. Jackson is the home of The Casey Jones Village – named after the legendary railroad pioneer and one of Tennessee's top 10 tourist attractions. Jackson is also home to many great annual events – The NAIA Women's Championship Basketball Tournament, The Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant, The Shannon Street Blues Fest, and the Casey Jones Train Fest. Jackson can also boast being home to "Mr. Blue Suede Shoes" Carl Perkins as well as a professional baseball team – The West Tenn. Diamond Jaxx. Economy:   Jackson's economy is booming!! This is fueled by industrial growth and expansion, a 1.1 million person 13 county retail base, and strong service and trade industries. Since 1990, there have been over 10,000 new jobs added to the Jackson/Madison County area – Jackson boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state. For Comparative Retail Sales, Jackson ranks #32 in the country as compared with Nashville at #57 and Memphis at #265. Jackson ranks 14th nationally for new housing permits, and 9th as the most active restaurant market in the country. Despite all this growth and prosperity, living in Jackson is relatively cheap. In the cost of living index (with 100 being the national average), Jackson ranks 93 overall, and housing costs ranks 88. Health Care:   There are two outstanding medical centers in the Jackson Area – Jackson Madison County General Hospital [the largest employer in the area] and Methodist/LeBonher Health Center. Other facilities include: The Jackson Clinic – the largest multi-specialty clinic in the state, a speech and hearing center, a center for the hearing impaired, a center for the blind, a cerebral palsy center, 12 rehab and counseling services, 6 nursing homes, and a blood bank. Serving the community are 300+ doctors, ~55 dentists and orthodontists, ~11 chiropractors, 12 home health agencies, and ~13 optometrists. There are also 5 assisted living communities for seniors. Education:   Since 1990, Jackson/Madison County has had a consolidated school system with an elected school board and an appointed superintendent. The curriculum emphasizes science and arts offerings as well as a comprehensive vocational training program at the senior high level. There are three K-12 private schools and one K-10 private school. Also located in the Jackson Area are four universities/colleges [Union University, Lambuth University, Lane College and Freed-Hardeman University], Jackson State Community College which is home for the Ned McWerter Center for Advanced Industrial Technologies, and West Tennessee Business College. Jackson is also home to the State Area Vocational-Technical School which provides well-trained labor for Jackson's rapidly growing industrial sector. Climate:   The mild climate of the area allows West Tennesseeans to enjoy all four seasons in moderation. *Average Temperature: 60 January Average is 35 July Average is 80 *Average Rainfall: 54 inches *Average Snowfall:   5 inches Important Numbers: Fire (Emergency)  424-9677 Fire (Non-Emergency) 424-5577 Police 911 Poison Control Center 422-3473 Jackson Madison County Hospital 425-5000 Methodist/LeBonher Hospital 661-2000     Jackson Utility Division 422-7500 Southwest Utilities 427-3311 Bell South 557-6500     Driver's Testing Center 423-6622 Vehicle Registration Center 423-6022     Jackson Chamber of Commerce 423-2200 The Jackson Sun Newspaper 427-3333 Madison County Library 425-8600     Jackson/Madison County Schools 664-2500 Jackson Christian Schools 668-8055 Trinity Christian Academy 423-8924 University School of Jackson 664-0812 St. Mary's Elementary School 668-2525 Freed-Hardeman University 989-6000 Lambuth University 425-7500 Lane College 426-7500 Union University 668-1818 Jackson State Community College 425-2644 Ned McWerter Advanced Tech. Center 425-2632` West TN Business College 668-7240