Florida ranks eighth in the fastest growing state in the United States. It is known for its rapid population gains and it is estimated to add over 5.6 million people from 2010 to 2030. However, not all areas are growing. Some counties are losing population with Jackson County being one of those counties.
Jackson County is one of the top ten counties in Florida that is losing population and is ranked ninth in the state of the fastest shrinking counties in Florida. While Florida’s population grew by 14.5% from 2010 to 2020, Jackson County’s population declined by 4.5%, making it one of the fastest-declining population in the state.
Jackson County was established in 1822, making it one of the oldest counties in the State. Its resources consist of railroads, running east and west. It has one of the longest privately owned airports (owned by the City of Marianna) in northwest Florida. Jackson County has an abundance of natural resources, including hunting, fishing, along with land space to accommodate beautiful homesites at affordable prices. Jackson County has a highly rated hospital as well as an above-average school system.
Although industries and individuals are moving to Florida from other states with all of these attributes, Jackson County has not been able to capitalize on Florida’s growth and attract industry, retirees and families raising their families.
From 2020 to 2022, Jackson County only managed to recover by 1.9%. To compare to the state population growth, Florida’s population grew by 14.5% in that same time frame.
This article was published by the Jackson County Times Newspaper December 6, 2023 Titled; “Jackson County ranked ninth as the fastest-shrinking counties in Florida.”
“Florida ranks eighth in the fastest growing state in the United States. It is known for its rapid population gains and it is estimated to add over 5.6 million people from 2010 to 2030. However, not all areas are growing. Some counties are losing population with Jackson County being one of those counties.
Jackson County is one of the top ten counties in Florida that is losing population and is ranked ninth in the state of the fastest shrinking counties in Florida. While Florida’s population grew by 14.5% from 2010 to 2020, Jackson County’s population declined by 4.5%, making it one of the fastest-declining population in the state.
Jackson County was established in 1822, making it one of the oldest counties in the State. Its resources consist of railroads, running east and west. It has one of the longest privately owned airports (owned by the City of Marianna) in northwest Florida. Jackson County has an abundance of natural resources, including hunting, fishing, along with land space to accommodate beautiful homesites at affordable prices. Jackson County has a highly rated hospital as well as an above-average school system.
Although industries and individuals are moving to Florida from other states with all of these attributes, Jackson County has not been able to capitalize on Florida’s growth and attract industry, retirees and families raising their families.
From 2020 to 2022, Jackson County only managed to recover by 1.9%. To compare to the state population growth, Florida’s population grew by 14.5% in that same time frame.”
Despite these human, and natural attributes, Jackson County continues to shrink. I believe that this is happening because there are some of our political, economic and social actors who do not want, or lack the skills to cause this area to grow. We all must make sure that our political actors are on board with helping our residents to be able to make a decent living here in Jackson County. We must be able to thrive, not merely exist politically, economically, and socially. Let’s elect people who can make this happen for us.
A lot of the decline is because of no places to shop. You will continue to decline with no place for the citizens to shop for clothing. Walmart and Bealls just don’t get it. Restaurants and banks we have enough of. Coffee shops and car washes we have enough of. Listen to the people. This county will continue to die. People are spending their money elsewhere including me
There’s no affordable housing in this county. Delusional home sellers and extremely high rents are driving people away. When there is nowhere to live you have to go elsewhere