The Jackson County Courthouse was designed by Claire Allen, a prominent southern Michigan architect.

Jackson County is also home to the Michigan Whitetail Hall of Fame.

The north branch starts in Jackson County in Hanover Township.

It then enters Calhoun County and connects with the northern branch when it reaches the town of Albion.

When it reaches the towns of Saugatuck and Douglas it stops and enters Lake Michigan.

The county government operates the county jail, maintains township roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services.

The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances.

In Michigan, most local government functions – police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc.

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 158,422 people, 58,168 households, and 40,833 families residing in the county.

24.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.