Jackson County is a county in Minnesota, United States, in the south-central part of the state along the Iowa border. It had a population of 9,989 at the 2020 census and covers 719 square miles (1,860 km2) of land and water, centred near 43°41′N 95°10′W.
Jackson is the county seat and its postal code is 56143. The county has six incorporated cities, six unincorporated communities and 20 civil townships. Jackson County observes Central time.
Towns & Villages in Jackson County
Jackson County has six incorporated cities and six unincorporated communities. Below, City denotes an incorporated municipality and Unincorp. an unincorporated place with no municipal government.
| Place | Type | Township | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | City · seat | Des Moines | — | 56143 |
| Lakefield | City | Middletown | — | 56150 |
| Heron Lake | City | Heron Lake | — | 56137 |
| Alpha | City | Belmont | — | 56111 |
| Okabena | City | La Crosse | — | 56161 |
| Wilder | City | Weimer | — | — |
| Bergen | Unincorp. | Christiania | — | — |
| Miloma | Unincorp. | Minneota | — | — |
| Petersburg | Unincorp. | Petersburg | — | — |
| Rost | Unincorp. | Rost | — | — |
| Sioux Valley | Unincorp. | Sioux Valley | — | — |
| Spafford | Unincorp. | Enterprise | — | — |
Townships
Jackson County is divided into 20 civil townships. Population figures by township are not separately reported; the list below gives each township’s main settlement, where it has one.
| Township | Pop. (2020) | Main settlements |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | — | Jackson |
| Middletown | — | Lakefield |
| Heron Lake | — | Heron Lake |
| La Crosse | — | Okabena |
| Belmont | — | Alpha |
| Weimer | — | Wilder |
| Christiania | — | Bergen |
| Minneota | — | Miloma |
| Petersburg | — | Petersburg |
| Rost | — | Rost |
| Sioux Valley | — | Sioux Valley |
| Enterprise | — | Spafford |
| Alba | — | — |
| Delafield | — | — |
| Ewington | — | — |
| Hunter | — | — |
| Kimball | — | — |
| Round Lake | — | — |
| West Heron Lake | — | — |
| Wisconsin | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 56143 — Jackson (also serves Des Moines Township)
- 56150 — Lakefield
- 56137 — Heron Lake
- 56111 — Alpha
- 56161 — Okabena
Wilder and the unincorporated communities of Bergen, Miloma, Petersburg, Rost, Sioux Valley and Spafford have no ZIP code of their own; mail there is typically routed through the nearest listed post office town.
Geography
Jackson County’s terrain is hilly, cut by drainages and gullies left by the last glaciation, and most of the land is farmed. The Des Moines River flows through the central part of the county, and Heron Lake, one of Minnesota’s larger natural lakes, sits in the county’s west.
Jackson County borders Cottonwood County to the north, Watonwan County to the northeast, Martin County to the east, Emmet County, Iowa to the southeast, Dickinson County, Iowa to the south, Osceola County, Iowa to the southwest, and Nobles County to the west.
Demographics
Jackson County had a population of 9,989 at the 2020 census, spread across 719 square miles for a density of roughly 14 people per square mile. Jackson, the county seat, is the county’s largest community, followed by Lakefield. Minnesota’s statewide median household income is the Minnesota median of $85,086; rural counties in this part of the state, Jackson County included, typically run below the state figure.
Economy & Local Life
Row-crop and livestock farming, particularly corn, soybeans and hogs, anchors Jackson County’s economy, alongside agricultural suppliers, grain elevators and small manufacturers based in Jackson and Lakefield. Jackson is home to Jackson County Central Schools and the county’s main hospital and clinic services. Heron Lake draws seasonal recreation traffic for fishing and waterfowl hunting.
History
Jackson County was organized on May 23, 1857, and named for Henry Jackson, an early merchant in St. Paul. Agriculture and rail links through Jackson and Lakefield shaped the county’s later 19th- and early 20th-century growth.
Getting There
U.S. Highway 71 and Minnesota Highway 60 are the county’s main routes, with Interstate 90 crossing its northern edge.
- Fairmont, Minnesota — 25 miles east
- Worthington, Minnesota — 25 miles west
- Spirit Lake, Iowa — 20 miles south
- Windom, Minnesota — 20 miles north
The nearest commercial airport is Sioux Falls Regional Airport in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, roughly 70 miles to the west.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Jackson County, Minnesota?
It is in south-central Minnesota on the Iowa border, about 70 miles east of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
What is the population of Jackson County?
It had a population of 9,989 at the 2020 census.
How big is Jackson County?
The county covers 719 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 703 square miles is land.
What is the Jackson County seat?
Jackson is the county seat.
How many towns are in Jackson County?
The county has six incorporated cities — Jackson, Lakefield, Heron Lake, Okabena, Alpha and Wilder — plus six unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Jackson County?
The county’s ZIP codes are 56143 (Jackson), 56150 (Lakefield), 56137 (Heron Lake), 56111 (Alpha) and 56161 (Okabena).
What lake is Jackson County known for?
Heron Lake, one of Minnesota’s larger natural lakes, sits in the west of the county and is a draw for fishing and waterfowl hunting.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Minnesota.