The city is the anchor for the metro area. While its population declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census, the metropolitan region grew. The 2010 census ascribed a population of 539,057 to the five-county Jackson metropolitan area.[7]
The city was ranked third as the best "Bang For Your Buck" among the United States' 100 largest metro areas, according to Forbes magazine.[8] The study measured overall affordability in living costs, housing rates, and more.
In 2011 USS Jackson (LCS-6) was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the city