Standing on the west bank of the Pearl River about 150 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico, Jackson is about 45 miles east of the Mississippi River. The city is the seat of Hinds County, though parts of Jackson are also located in Rankin and Madison counties. The terrain surrounding Jackson is gently rolling; alluvial plains up to 3 miles wide extend along the river near Jackson, where some levees have been built on both sides of the river. Jackson receives approximately 55 inches of rainfall per year, but only trace amounts of snow, making it rather wet and significantly humid most of the year. The vicinity enjoys a fairly long warm season with light winds late in the day during summer.
Area: 106.82 square miles (2000)
Elevation: 291 feet above sea level
Average Temperatures: January, 45.0° F; August, 80.9° F; annual average, 64.1° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 55.95 inches