Jacksonville TX Our Town

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For official city services, school information, public notices, rules, fees, permits, and meeting details, always use the official source links. Jacksonville TX Our Town organizes helpful local information, but it is not the official City of Jacksonville, Jacksonville ISD, or Cherokee County website.

About Jacksonville, Texas

Jacksonville is a city in Cherokee County, East Texas, set in the Piney Woods between Tyler and Rusk. It is the largest city in Cherokee County by population and serves as a practical local hub for schools, healthcare, shopping, restaurants, manufacturing, public services, and community life.

This page gives a broad overview of Jacksonville for residents, visitors, businesses, and people considering a move to the area. Deeper guide pages on Lake Jacksonville, Jacksonville ISD, local history, public meetings, and moving to town will expand on each topic.

Quick Community Snapshot

Jacksonville’s population was 13,997 at the 2020 U.S. Census. A 2025 Census estimate places the city at approximately 14,658 residents.

Many residents of surrounding Cherokee County rural areas and nearby smaller towns come into Jacksonville for schools, healthcare, shopping, restaurants, banking, youth sports, public services, and community events. Because of that, Jacksonville functions as a practical hub for more people than its city-limits population suggests.

Where Jacksonville Is

Jacksonville is located in Cherokee County in the East Texas Piney Woods region. It sits along important regional routes, including U.S. Highway 69 and U.S. Highway 79, giving residents access to nearby towns and larger regional centers.

Approximate regional orientation:

  • Tyler: about 30–35 minutes north
  • Bullard: about 15–20 minutes north
  • Rusk: about 20–25 minutes south
  • Palestine: about 45 minutes west
  • Nacogdoches: about 1 hour southeast
  • Longview: about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes northeast
  • Shreveport: roughly 2 hours east
  • Dallas: roughly 2 to 3 hours northwest
  • Houston: roughly 3 hours south

Drive times are approximate and can vary by route, traffic, and weather.

Climate and East Texas Setting

Jacksonville has a typical East Texas climate: hot, humid summers; mild winters; and regular rainfall. Average annual precipitation runs around 46 inches, which helps explain the green Piney Woods landscape surrounding the city.

A Short History of Jacksonville

Jacksonville’s roots trace to the mid-1800s around Gum Creek, where early settlement, transportation, agriculture, schools, and local business helped shape the town that later became Cherokee County’s largest city.

This page gives only a brief overview. A dedicated Jacksonville History page will go deeper into the railroad era, tomato shipping, the Tomato Bowl, Black education, downtown, local industry, Lake Jacksonville, and the harder parts of regional history that need careful sourcing.

Tomato Heritage and Local Identity

Jacksonville is strongly associated with its tomato heritage. The city has long been known by the nickname “Tomato Capital of the World,” tied to the area’s history of tomato production and shipping. Today, that identity remains part of the town’s culture even though the local economy is much broader.

The annual Jacksonville Tomato Fest is held in downtown Jacksonville on the second Saturday in June. The festival celebrates the city’s agricultural heritage with contests, vendors, music, food, local activities, and tomato-themed traditions.

Another major local landmark is the Tomato Bowl. Jacksonville ISD history records show stadium planning as early as 1938, Works Progress Administration approval in 1939, and work beginning in early 1940. The stadium remains closely tied to Jacksonville ISD, local sports, and the city’s civic identity. A major Tomato Bowl grand opening was held June 7, 2019, after renovation work.

Lake Jacksonville

Lake Jacksonville is one of the city’s most important recreational and practical assets. Located southwest of town, the lake is owned by the City of Jacksonville and serves both as a municipal water source and a recreation destination.

The lake is used for fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and family outings. It includes public recreation areas, campsites, swimming areas, RV sites, and waterfront access points.

Lake Jacksonville has a detailed history and enough practical information — recreation rules, fishing access, camping, and public-use details — that this site includes a dedicated Lake Jacksonville page.

Schools and Education

Jacksonville is served by Jacksonville Independent School District, a public school district based at 800 College Avenue. JISD serves students from pre-kindergarten through high school and includes multiple campuses across the city.

Current JISD campuses include:

  • Jacksonville High School
  • Jacksonville Middle School
  • Nichols Intermediate
  • East Side Elementary
  • Fred Douglass Elementary
  • Joe Wright Elementary
  • West Side Elementary
  • The Compass Center

This page gives only a broad overview. The Jacksonville Schools section of this website will include a deeper school guide, and each campus can eventually have its own profile page with history, contact information, grade levels, official links, and useful parent resources.

Economy and Daily Life

Jacksonville functions as a local and regional hub for Cherokee County. Its economy includes healthcare, education, retail, restaurants, manufacturing, public services, banking, and local small businesses.

JEDCO’s major employer list includes Jacksonville ISD, Bealls Distribution Center, Christus Mother Frances Hospital/Clinic, Walmart Supercenter, Cardinal Health, Federal Health, UT Health Jacksonville, STS Recycling, Builder’s Best, Arrington Lumber & Pallet, Klein, and Lu-ve.

JEDCO — Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation — maintains resources for businesses, site selectors, and developers.

City and Civic Life

Jacksonville operates as a Texas home-rule city with local government, city departments, public services, and elected leadership. City Hall is located at 315 S. Ragsdale Street.

For official city services, meeting agendas, utility billing, permits, public notices, and department contacts, residents should always use the official City of Jacksonville website or call the appropriate city office.

This site includes separate guide pages for helpful contacts, public meetings, city services, school board information, county offices, and resident “who do I call?” questions.

For Residents, Visitors, and Newcomers

Jacksonville serves multiple roles. It is a school town, a lake town, a healthcare and retail stop, a historic East Texas community, and a practical center for everyday life in Cherokee County.

Visitors can explore downtown Jacksonville, the Tomato Bowl, Lake Jacksonville recreation areas, local restaurants, and annual events such as Tomato Fest.

Moving to Jacksonville? This site includes dedicated guide pages for schools, local services, contacts, public meetings, and practical information for getting settled.

Jacksonville TX Our Town is the organized companion to the Jacksonville TX Our Town Facebook group — built to make useful local information easier to find and save.

Sources and Verification

This page draws from U.S. Census Bureau data, City of Jacksonville official sources, Jacksonville ISD, Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation, Texas State Historical Association, tourism resources, and current local records. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Population and Demographics

City and Government

History and Local Identity

Lake Jacksonville

Schools

Economy

Climate

WeatherSpark climate summary
https://weatherspark.com/

US Climate Data — Jacksonville, Texas
https://www.usclimatedata.com/

NOAA Climate Normals / NCEI reference
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals