Jackson, Mississippi

Jackson is the capital and largest city in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2000 census, its population is 184,256. The Jackson metropolitan area, including its suburbs and Hinds, Madison, Rankin, Copiah, and Simpson counties, has a population of 510,000. Jackson is one of the county seats of Hinds County; Raymond is the other county seat. The city has self-styled itself as "The Best of the New South," and "The Bold, New City." Frank Melton is the current mayor of Jackson.

Transportation

Air Travel

Jackson is served by Jackson-Evers International Airport, located at Allen C. Thompson Field, east of the city in Flowood in Rankin County. Its IATA code is JAN.

Related Topics:
Jackson-Evers International Airport - Flowood

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On 22 December 2004, Jackson City Council members voted 6-0 to rename Jackson International Airport in honor of slain civil rights leader and field secretary for the Mississippi chapter of the NAACP, Medgar Evers. This decision took effect on 22 January 2005.

Related Topics:
22 December - 2004 - Civil rights - NAACP - 22 January - 2005

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Formerly Jackson was served by Hawkins Field Airport, located in northwest Jackson, with IATA code HKS, which is now used for private air traffic only.

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Ground Transportation

Interstate Highways:

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• Interstate 55, which runs north-south from Memphis, Tennessee and Grenada, through Jackson towards Brookhaven, McComb, and the Louisiana state line to New Orleans.
• Interstate 20, which runs east-west from Vicksburg, towards Meridian.
• Interstate 220, which connects Interstates 55 and 20 on the north and west sides of the city.

U.S. Highways:

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• U.S. Highway 49, which runs north-south from the Arkansas state line at Clarksdale and Yazoo City, towards Hattiesburg and Gulfport.
• U.S. Highway 51, known in Jackson as State Street, roughly parallels Interstate 55.
• U.S. Highway 80, which roughly parallels Interstate 20.

State Highways:

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• Mississippi State Highway 18, which runs southwest towards Raymond.
• Mississippi State Highway 25 (some parts known as Lakeland Drive), which runs northeast towards Carthage and Starkville.

In addition, Jackson is served by the Natchez Trace Parkway, which runs from Natchez to Nashville, Tennessee.

Related Topics:
Natchez Trace Parkway - Natchez - Nashville, Tennessee

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Railroads

Jackson is served by the Canadian National Railway (formerly the Illinois Central Railroad). Jackson is also served by Amtrak.

Related Topics:
Canadian National Railway - Illinois Central Railroad - Amtrak

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