Is Jackson Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Updated On September 30, 2022
Jackson, United States
Safety Index:
42
* Based on Research & Crime Data
User Sentiment:
100
* Rated 100 / 100 based on 4 user reviews.

Jackson, Mississippi, is the City of Soul in the heart of the Magnolia State.

If you’re wondering why this city sounds familiar, it might be because of the popularity of the book and movie based here called The Help.

(You is Kind. You is Smart. You is Important.)

This city brings a rich culture, with some stories to make you laugh while others can make you cry.

It was a pivotal place in the Civil Rights Movement and has a museum bearing the name to remember those who fought for civil rights and those who died trying.

Jackson is a city too tough to let history define it and comes with Southern hospitality and the best (okay, probably only) Pig’s Ear Sandwich you’ll ever eat.

Soul food is found on every corner, and culture abounds in this city, where the air is thick as the accents of its residents.

Music is at the heart of Jackson, and several studios are still open for tours.

There’s a rich art scene, from performances to sculptures to art galleries.

Sign up through the VisitJackson.com website to get an Art Pass, where you can check off the art locations as you visit and be eligible for a prize.

Jackson has come a long way through trials and tribulations and still has a ways to go.

Warnings & Dangers in Jackson

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK: HIGH

There's a high overall risk here, with Jackson having the highest murder rate per capita in the entire country. That's a higher average than even Atlanta or Chicago. This is on top of the historically dangerous reputation the city has, so visitors need to be aware of the risks to enjoy the reward.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

JTRAN is the public bus system, but like much of the city, it has faced many challenges in the past few years. There weren't enough bus drivers, so the schedules were reduced. This caused a community outcry because so many people rely on buses to get to and from work. It's safest here to get your own car, but that will come with its own safety precautions. Taxis and rideshares are available. There's a medium risk any way you look at it with crime rates so high.

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

There's a low pickpocket risk, but that's not necessarily a good thing. There aren't a lot of crowds here to fall victim to a slick pickpocket. On top of that, criminals here are more likely to take your stuff by force than by manipulation.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash flooding, and intense lightning can happen throughout the year. Tropical storms can hit the coast as hurricanes and move heavy rains and storms up the state. Even Memphis is known to get tropical storm remnants. Winters are generally mild, but any snow or ice here is going to cripple the city. Another medium risk here, so research the emergency management site to get the best information.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK: HIGH

There's a high risk here, with a robbery rate four times the national average. While it's not a "hide in your hotel room" kind of risk, you definitely need to have complete situational awareness and only visit the tourist attractions during the daytime.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The terrorists of the city actually live here, so there's a low risk of an actual terror attack. Criminals run rampant here, and a chain of events prevents the city from being able to control it. From low police staffing to jail overcrowding to criminals getting away with crimes because of those two aforementioned issues, there's a long way to go before Jackson will be safe.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK: LOW

There aren't any tourist-focused scams happening here, but there's a lot of poverty and panhandling going on. Basic utility issues can make people desperate to beg for help. Be on guard and avoid anyone who is begging you for money or help.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH

Women should treat this entire city, outside of the northeast area, with a high risk. In a sad case from 2021, a teenager was shot and killed on the day of her high school graduation at a gas station. Her boyfriend had been killed at another gas station just a few months before.

Tap Water Risk

TAP WATER RISK: HIGH

Sadly, this is another high risk. The tap water in Jackson isn't even useable as of the summer of 2022. Poor infrastructure, damaged pipes, and no funds to fix the problem have put the city on the defensive, and it's now so bad the EPA is coming in to troubleshoot and try to find solutions. Check the city's website before you visit to see what kind of boil orders are happening, and don't drink any water that looks clean without confirming the water is safe.

Safest Places to Visit in Jackson

The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum is the top draw in this community to learn about the civil rights struggle, success, and ongoing challenges throughout the state.

This emotional experience is good for children and adults and could be emotional sometimes, so take your time as you explore.

The Smith Robertson Museum & Cultural Center is ranked as a top spot to see in the 50 states by news powerhouse CNN.

The goal of the museum is “evoking a greater understanding of the African-American experience in the deep South.”

There’s plenty of African American art on display, and visitors will get a better grasp of what life was like for slaves in the South during the Civil War.

One of the most tragic moments in Jackson’s history was when Medgar Evans was assassinated outside his home in 1963.

Evans is a man who survived fighting the war in Vietnam, ranking as a sergeant when he was honorably discharged, but couldn’t survive his own front yard.

Even with a mortal gunshot wound, the hospital didn’t want to let him enter because he was black.

You can visit the museum, which is the home where Evans died, and hear more about his story, including why the gunman was never convicted.

Evans’ assassination paved the way for Civil Rights reform, and you can tour more historic places by following the Mississippi Freedom Trail, with a full list of locations on the tourism website for Jackson.

Check out MSBluesTrail.org to see a list of places to stop as you learn about the Mississippi history of Blues music.

Highland Village Shopping Center is the traditional American outdoor mall on the safe northeast side of the city.

You can visit some of the top retailers in the nation and also get a bite to eat at one of many restaurants.

For outlet mall shopping, the Outlets of Mississippi are just east of Jackson in Pearl, Mississippi.

This is in a lower crime area, but be extra cautious when carrying around a lot of bags.

Just across from the Smith Robertson Museum, stop by the Big Apple Inn for the pig’s ear sandwich delicacy that Jackson is famous for and see if you like this rare treat.

Each slider costs about $2, and you can eat as many as you want.

Be sure to visit one of the “Meat & Three” restaurants on the northeast side of the city (for safety purposes).

These restaurants offer one main meat serving and three choices of sides.

Places to Avoid in Jackson

Aside from the main tourist attractions, which you should visit during the daytime, avoid any other part of the city aside from the northeast corridor.

Most of the cities with the name “Heights” are considered very dangerous, including Colonial Heights, Woodville Heights, and Scotland Heights.

Maddoxroad, Skyline Drive, and Enochs Street/Hyde Park are other areas to avoid.

The bottom line is to avoid anywhere that isn’t on a tourist route and try to avoid the downtown hotels if you can.

Stay out of the local neighborhoods and even avoid the main roads in the west, south, and northern parts of the city – especially at night.

Try to avoid carrying any kind of purse or backpack that can be seen with the naked eye.

You want to draw as little attention to yourself as necessary and don’t wear flashy jewelry or clothing like the signature red-heeled Louboutin’s.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Jackson

  1. Store this number on your mobile phone now – (601)960-1234. This is the non-emergency line for the police department, and it’s staffed around the clock. If there is an emergency, you should always call 911, but there might be times you need to speak with the police in a non-urgent situation.
  2. If you get any information about a crime that happened, call Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477). This is an anonymous line where good information can get you a reward.
  3. Jackson is in Hinds County, which is where you should look for emergency management information should there be a storm brewing before you arrive. Jackson County is nowhere near the city of Jackson. It’s on the shore of Southern Mississippi.
  4. If you notice any issues that are city code issues, like potholes or broken street lights, call 311. The city has a video describing all the amenities of this service. It’s not a place to call for crime information, but for things like downed trees after a storm, you’ll use 311.
  5. Don’t park at a broken parking meter because a malfunctioning meter doesn’t mean free parking. You can actually get a ticket for parking at one. To report a broken meter, call (601)960-1168.
  6. The city’s website is issuing ongoing water crisis information and updates on the safety of the water. Be sure to follow along before you visit to see what the latest status is. It’s smart to pick up a few cases of water on the way to your hotel but bring them inside with you. Don’t leave them in a car.
  7. Lock and deadbolt your hotel room door each and every time you are in the room. Make sure the windows stay locked and secured. Use the room safe to store any valuables or important documents like your visa.
  8. Download the MDOT (Mississippi Department of Transportation) app to stay on top of road construction in the state and around Jackson. Several long-term projects are underway in late 2022, and with the poor roads of this area, there’s always going to be a risk of a detour or construction slowdown.
  9. Keep your mobile devices charged at all times, or bring a portable charger in case of a power outage after a storm. Severe weather can knock trees into power lines or blow transformers, leaving communities in the dark. You need to have a cellular connection as much as possible here.
  10. Nearly three cars a day are stolen in Jackson, and four are broken into. If you are involved in a fender bender, don’t get out of your car. Call 911 and wait for an officer to arrive with your windows rolled up. Criminals here are known for “bump and runs,” where they cause a fender bender, expecting you to get out of the car and look at the damage. That’s when they carjack you.

So... How Safe Is Jackson Really?

I’m not one to be sensational about crime levels in a city, and I genuinely try to give every city its fair shake when it comes to the statistics versus the reality of crime.

The bottom line is – Jackson and most of its neighborhoods are not safe.

Social media forums go as far as being bleak – stating that tourists shouldn’t even go downtown.

Others will rush to its defense, saying it’s dangerous, but only in parts of the city where a tourist would never set foot.

“It will take all of us working together, city, county, state and federal leaders, civic leaders, and the community itself, to successfully root out the scourge of violent crime in our city,” Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said.

Even in 2022, the city is on track to shatter more violent crime records, which in a city with so much crime history, is saying a lot.

The majority of the crimes are among people who know each other, but there is little to no concern for an innocent bystander being caught in the crossfire.

The Mississippi Mudbug Festival was cut short in 2022 when two teenagers reportedly fired more than 100 rounds into the crowds.

One teenager died, and five more people were hurt in the mass shooting.

The people of Jackson have had a tough time, being burdened by bad infrastructure that keeps failing, and no efforts are being made to fix it.

With a poverty level near 25% and a community that has been systemically underserved, it’s no surprise these aren’t the safest streets.

For weeks in 2022, the residents couldn’t even get clean water.

Jackson is really not a place to visit unless you’re driving through town to see some of the major historical sites, and you’re safer to stay the night in a city that isn’t Jackson.

If you do stay for a long period of time, avoid the downtown hotels and the ones near the fairgrounds and coliseum.

The northeast side of town is the safest place to stay.

How Does Jackson Compare?

CitySafety Index
Jackson42
Oakland57
New Orleans57
Baltimore56
Boston67
Washington DC56
New York City67
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)61
Niagara Falls (Canada)87
Calgary (Canada)82
Buenos Aires (Argentina)60
Vancouver (Canada)82
Cordoba (Argentina)61

Useful Information

Visas

Visas

Visitors from outside the United States must have a passport and a visa or visa waiver to get into the country. You should put your visa in a safe place until your return trip, as you'll just need a passport as legal ID during your visit.

Currency

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is the sole currency of any state or city in the country. You can make just about all purchases with credit cards or mobile payment apps, so there's little reason to carry cash. If you do need cash or currency exchange, don't use an ATM in public. Go inside a bank and take care of the transaction in private.

Weather

Weather

Jackson is humid throughout the year and exceptionally warm in the summer. The heat can be stifling, so wear comfortable and light-colored clothing. You'll be sweating a lot, so bring some extra tank tops and shorts just to be safe. Winters can get chilly, and there's an occasional need for a winter coat, but check the 10-day forecast before you pack to see what kind of weather you should expect. You don't want to pack winter outerwear if you don't need it.

Airports

Airports

Jackson has an international airport on the east side of town, and that's about 15 minutes from downtown. You can also choose to fly out of the larger airports in Memphis or New Orleans, but it's about three hours on the interstate to get to each one.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance should be used on any trip, especially when traveling internationally. The urgent care facilities and hospitals will charge you out of pocket if you get sick and need care. You also want to protect your travel investment if severe weather causes delays or cancellations.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Jackson Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 8° C
Feb 10° C
Mar 15° C
Apr 18° C
May 23° C
Jun 26° C
Jul 28° C
Aug 28° C
Sep 25° C
Oct 19° C
Nov 13° C
Dec 9° C
Choose Temperature Unit

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High
°C
141621252932343331262015
Low
°C
2481116202222191263
High
°F
576170778490939188796859
Low
°F
363946526168727266544337

Mississippi - Safety by City

CitySafety Index
Biloxi53
Canton45
Gulfport58
Hattiesburg85
Holly Springs72
Jackson42
Natchez68
New Albany83
Pascagoula45
Pass Christian78
Southaven74
Tupelo68
Vicksburg56

Where to Next?

4 Reviews on Jackson

  1. L
    Louisa Thomas says:

    Completely safe!

    I recently visited Jackson and felt completely safe exploring the area. The city’s emphasis on security and the variety of attractions make it a wonderful destination for a secure and memorable travel experience.

  2. J
    Journi Huang says:

    Great stay

    Visited Jackson recently and felt incredibly safe throughout my stay. The town’s friendly community and low crime rates create a great option for travelers.

  3. C
    Carlos Froilan says:

    Genuine people

    Jackson exceeded my expectations in terms of safety. The locals are incredibly friendly and passionate about their town which makes them genuine people for me.

  4. A
    Aniya Burgess says:

    Safe place!

    We have been living here for about a year now and I can say that it is definitely safe to travel here. It always has been a great palce for my family.

Jackson Rated 5 / 5 based on 4 user reviews.

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