Greater Jackson Chamber rep addresses results of housing study

As Madison County prepares for an economic impact and a population growth, the Greater Jackson Chamber is spreading its message, “Move to Jackson” to attract future residents and businesses. Younger Associates recently compiled an 80-page housing study that shows the economic impact of BlueOval City in Haywood County that will create ripple effects for surrounding counties, particularly Jackson and Madison County.

The study projects a population growth of 11,950 to 13,200 new residents by 2035 for Madison. In 2022, there were approximately 98,999 residents in the county, according to the study. 

“All growth isn't good growth. Our goal is to help create good growth that benefits both business and the community,” Greater Jackson Chamber Vice President of Investor Relations Lindsay Dawkins noted.

The study is another tool for the Greater Jackson Chamber. Chamber departments are using the key takeaways from the results to help educate their members.

“The Housing Study serves as a strategic tool for businesses and developers interested in Jackson. It not only outlines the projected population growth but also identifies areas where this growth is expected to occur,” Dawkins said.

The study breaks the county into 22 “housing zones,” based on locations of highways, railways and natural geographic boundaries. The four most-populated zones of Madison County, according to the study, are Old Humboldt with 10,338 people; LANA/Lane with 10,261 people; Old Hickory/Ridgecrest with 9,843 residents and East Jackson with 8,963 residents. The two smallest zones are Lower Brownsville with a population of 207 and Denmark with 1,285 residents.

With growth comes investment and needed improvements in areas such as public education, workforce training and housing. According to the report, various research conducted nationally over the past 6-10 years has shown that the top determining factors for where families with young children choose to live are:

1. Availability of housing
2. Quality of public education 
3. Availability of high-speed internet 
4. Commute distance.

The Greater Jackson Chamber is paying attention to those areas of need for the projected growth of Madison County.

Dawkins said the following results of the study are what they consider relevant to Chamber members:

• Jackson-Madison County will experience significant growth from BlueOval City over the next 10 years.
• In order to achieve growth potential, housing units will have to be added faster than in recent decades.
• Growth, particularly after 3-5 years, will occur in parts of Madison County closest to BlueOval City.
• Planning, infrastructure investments and continued improvements in public education will be necessary.

Younger Associates noted in its report that Jackson will compete for potential students with the Fayette County School District, Tipton County School District, and City of Lakeland Schools, the latter of whom has received the highest level performance rating from the Tennessee Department of Education. All school systems within the (eight-county) impact zone will be affected to some degree by a growth in the number of students.

Jackson has a large presence of higher education with eight colleges and university campuses. Health care is a major economic sector with a high degree of specialization. These factors make Jackson a good choice for households where two adults seek skilled occupations.

“With growth comes the need for a larger workforce. That is why we started the Move to Jackson campaign. Focusing on showcasing the region's dynamic blend of business opportunities and high quality of life, the Move to Jackson campaign aims to attract top talent,” Dawkins shared. 

The Greater Jackson Chamber recently announced the Move to Jackson campaign and its intended purpose. The campaign will target key media publications nationwide, with initial advertising efforts focused on regions that have been identified for their high concentrations of professionals who may be considering relocation and seeking to contribute to the vibrant economy of Jackson, Tenn., Chamber representatives noted.