Jackson is a town located in the Jackson Hole valley of Teton County, Wyoming. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 8,647. It is the county seat of Teton County. The elevation is 6,234 feet.
Jackson is home to the world's largest ball of barbed wire, and large arches of shed elk antlers at the entrances to the town square. It is a major gateway for millions of tourists visiting nearby Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and the National Elk Refuge. Another benefit to being in Jackson is the close proximity of ski resorts. Directly in the center of town there is a small but challenging resort known as Snow King Resort. Snow King Resort has one of the steepest verts and is one of the few night-lit resorts in the nation. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, one of the biggest resorts in the country, is just 12 miles northwest. Also, Grand Targhee Resort which is just about an hour away from Jackson is world-renowned for its "Heavenly powder".
The main industries which provide employment are: Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (24.4%), Construction (14.0%), Retail trade (12.8%), Educational, health and social services (12.2%).
The town is sometimes mistakenly called Jackson Hole. That name refers only to the valley in which the town is located, not the town itself.
The town also plays host to the annual Jackson Hole Writers Conference founded by author, Warren Adler. Jackson and the surrounding area has long been a favorite destination for celebrities, many of whom, like Harrison Ford, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Sandra Bullock, maintain part-time residences in and around the town of Jackson.
Jackson is the principal city of the Jackson, WY-ID Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Teton County in Wyoming and Teton County in Idaho.
Jackson is located at (43.475403, -110.769186).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 7.4 km (2.8 mi), all land.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,647 people, 3,631 households, and 1,670 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,171.4/km (3,037.2/mi). There were 3,861 housing units at an average density of 523.1/km (1,356.2/mi). The racial makeup of the town was 89.37% White, 0.21% African American, 0.77% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 7.62% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.84% of the population.
There were 3,631 households out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.4% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.0% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the town the population was spread out with 18.4% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 43.7% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 117.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $47,757, and the median income for a family was $53,915. Males had a median income of $31,152 versus $24,307 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,004. About 2.6% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
The city is served by Jackson Hole Airport. A public bus system ("The START bus", or Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit) services the entire valley as well as the adjacent Star Valley.