PARISH PROFILE
- jackson & fondren -
TO GROW IN THE KNOWLEDGE & LOVE OF GOD AS REVEALED IN JESUS CHRIST
A Vibrant & Fun Community
Situated in the heart of Mississippi at the intersection of I-55 and I-20, Jackson is the state’s capital and the major center of government, banking, and legal and medical services in the state. Metro Jackson expands beyond the borders of Hinds County and is home to about half million people. The city itself has about 165,000 residents. The state of Mississippi is mainly rural with a population of 2.9 million. Jackson is home to more than 15 faith denominations and is the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi.
With the opening of the acclaimed Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in 2017, Jackson and the state have embraced our place in the history of the civil rights movement. Since that museum opened, it has received more than 350,000 visitors
Jackson is home to several other highly regarded museums including the state art museum, a children’s museum, a science museum, and an agriculture museum. Jackson also boasts a professional theater company, two ballet companies, a symphony orchestra, an opera company, and a craftsman’s guild. Every four years, Jackson is host to the International Ballet Competition, one of the oldest and most respected dance competitions in the world.
Jackson is home to five four-year colleges and universities, two community colleges, and a law school. The University of Mississippi Medical Center, the state-operated academic health center, and Children’s Hospital are also located in Jackson. Jackson is also the state’s center for specialized medicine, with five high quality hospitals offering comprehensive medical care.
Jackson Public Schools has partnered with the Kellogg Foundation and city and state leadership to build a high-quality system from PreK through high school to meet the needs of every child walking through their doors. The metro area also offers several high-quality private and parochial K-12 schools, including an Episcopal PreK-High school.
Like many mid-sized cities in the US in recent years, Jackson has experienced a declining population and tax base and an aging infrastructure. Our energetic young mayor’s strategic plan for Jackson is centered on investing in the dignity of every Jackson resident with affordable housing in safe neighborhoods, new job opportunities and a growing tax base, making a city open and welcoming to visitors. The city and state have partnered in a program to improve infrastructure, including resurfacing streets, which is funded by a voter-approved tax increase.
Outdoor activities are plentiful, from boating on the nearby reservoir to places to bike, run, hike, swim, and play golf or tennis. The PGA has a major fund-raising tournament in Jackson, and the Dixie National Rodeo is just one of many equine events here. The Mississippi Braves, an AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, has an active fan base as do college sports.
Travelers from around the country and the world come to Mississippi to follow the Blues Trail or explore the state’s many attractions. With the amenities of a metropolitan area and the charm and convenience of a small town, Jackson is a wonderful place to call home.