Jackson lost nearly 2,500 residents — about 1.4% of its population — in 2007, putting it in fourth place in a bad national category, reports Chris Joyner in today’s Clarion-Ledger.
From over 202,000 people in 1980 to 175,710 now, the capital city has been losing an average thousand residents a year to its surrounding surburbs. Barbara Logue of the College Board’s Center for Policy Research and Planning tells Joyner (with how straight a face, I can’t say), “It’s a statement. How much of a statement I don’t know.”
The mayor and the reporter get off good ones too:
“The people in Jackson are the most benevolent and graceful people I’ve ever met, and I’ve been all over the world,” [Frank Melton] said.
Unfortunately, these new population numbers show Jackson’s benevolent people are continuing to make a graceful exit.
The midsection of the story, though, emphasizes all the residential construction going on in town, especially a huge development in South Jackson. And while crime may be driving folks out now, Logue rather hopes that driving itself — that is, increasingly-prohibitive commuting costs — will drive them back in.
Dunno, doesn’t sound like much to hang a criminal-centric town’s hat on to me. For the umpty-umpth time I say, Gawd bless y’all who live, work, AND drive there.
Hey, no prob, Bunny has body armor.
WHEW, thass good to know, TomW.
“Benevolent and graceful,” huh? He must not be acquainted with the cell phone talking, music blaring, tailgating, road rage troglodytes I share the road with on a daily basis.
And speaking of sights on the road, I was astounded to see what appeared to be a five year old girl on the back of a motorcycle around noon today. There she was in an oversized helmet, shorts and flip flops with her tiny hands holding onto her grandfather’s belt loops while he powered up North State Street. Sometimes I think I’m living in a crazy house here.
And you’re right, lotus – even a costly commute is not going to bring people back to Jackson. I mean look at the butcher’s bill we were presented this weekend alone – three murders – one Saturday, and two last night. Life is cheap around here, at least to the criminal element.
Maybe the best way to solve Jackson’s problems would be to divide Jackson into four or more parts and then have Madison, Ridgeland, Clinton, Pearl, etc., annex those parts.
Jackson, as an entity, would then cease to exist.
Serendipidity is astounding is it not. I had to run over to Ridgeland this afternoon and what did I pass on Ridgewood Rd, just south of County Line Road, but a big ole sign green sign announcing, “Welcome to Jackson, City of Benovolence and Grace, Frank Melton, Mayor.” I nearly ’bout wrecked cuz I was laughing so hard my eyes were shut. What happened to the “A Bold New City?” Guess that one didn’t work out.
G I V E M E A B R E A K ! ! ! You just can’t make this stuff up quick enough.
Observer @5 – I have had the same thoughts for several years. It’s the only way to save Jacktown. Ridgeland takes from County Line to Woodrow Wilson, Pearl takes from Woodrow Wilson to the south, the state carves up the capital street/business/government area, clinton . . ., byram . . . and so on.