Jackson County is located in the western portion of the U.S. state of Missouri, on the border with Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 717,204. making it the second-most populous county in the state (after St. Louis County in the east). The county seats are Independence and Kansas City, making Jackson County one of 33 U.S. counties with more than one county seat. The county was organized December 15, 1826, and named for former Tennessee senator Andrew Jackson, who would become President of the United States three years later in 1829.
History
Early years
Jackson County was long home to members of the indigenous Osage tribe, who occupied this territory at the time of European encounter. The first known European explorers were French trappers who used the Missouri River as a highway for explorations and trading with regional Native American tribes. Jackson County was claimed as a part of the territory of New France, until 1763 and the British victory in the French and Indian War. After that, France ceded this territory west of the Mississippi River to Great Britain's ally, Spain. In 1800 Spain was forced by France in the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso to return its Louisiana Territory (of which modern Jackson County formed a part) to France. Soon abandoning its claims in North America, Napoleon of France sold the territory to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.
Operating on behalf of President Thomas Jefferson, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark passed through Jackson County on their notable Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804, to survey peoples, property and resources of the Louisiana Territory. Among other items, their report indicated a "high, commanding position" along the river within the current boundaries of Jackson County; in 1808 Fort Osage was constructed there. This stockade and trading post was one of the first U.S. military installations within the Louisiana Purchase territory, and remained active until 1822.
In 1821, Jackson County was included in the newly admitted state of Missouri. Jackson County was organized on December 15, 1826, and named for Andrew Jackson, U.S. Senator from Tennessee and military hero of the War of 1812, who would ascend to the Presidency shortly after, in 1829. Its county seat was designated as Independence, then a minuscule settlement near a spring. However, the rapid increase in westward exploration and expansion ultimately resulted in Independence becoming the starting point for three of the great Westward Trails: the Santa Fe Trail, the Oregon Trail, and the California Trail. Following the American Civil War and construction of railroads through this area, nearby Kansas City, Missouri, ultimately eclipsed Independence, though both towns remain county seats.
In 1838, the "Town Company" bought a small piece of land along the Missouri River in northern Jackson County, establishing "Westport Landing" (today this is known as the River Market district). The area outside Westport Landing was renamed in 1839 as the "Town of Kansas", after the local Kanza or Kaw tribe.
The town was chartered by Jackson County in 1850 and incorporated by the State of Missouri in 1853 as the "City of Kansas". In 1889, with a population of around 60,000, the city adopted a new charter and changed its name to Kansas City. In 1897, Kansas City annexed Westport.
Latter Day Saints
upright|thumb|[[Independence temple|Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri, USA. Dedicated 1994]]
Jackson County figures prominently in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, also known as Mormons. The Church was formed in Palmyra, New York, in 1830, located in Western New York, north of the Finger Lakes Region. March 1831 President Joseph Smith said that a location on the Missouri–Kansas border was to be the latter-day "New Jerusalem" with the "center place" located in Independence, the county seat. Traveling to the area in the summer of 1831, Smith and some associates formally proclaimed Jackson County as the site in a ceremony in August 1831.
Leadership and members of the Church began moving to Jackson County soon after but open conflict with earlier settlers ensued, driven by religious and cultural differences. Many early settlers along the Missouri River had come from the upper South: Kentucky and Tennessee, for instance, and brought their slaves and pro-slavery customs with them. They believed that the "Yankee" Mormons, from New York and northern states, were abolitionists. Mobs in the public and private sector used force to drive individual Saints from Jackson to nearby counties within Missouri and put Latter Day Saints on notice that they had until November 6, 1833, to leave the county en masse. On November 23, 1833, the few remaining LDS residents were ordered to leave Jackson County. By mid-1839, following the Missouri Mormon War, the Mormons were driven from the state altogether. They did not return to Jackson County or Missouri in significant numbers until 1867, two years after the end of the Civil War.
Civil War
During the Civil War, Jackson County was the scene of several engagements, the most notable of which was the Battle of Westport in 1864, sometimes referred to as "the Gettysburg of Missouri". The Union victory here firmly established Northern control of Missouri, and led to the failure of Confederate General Sterling Price's Missouri expedition. Other noteworthy battles were fought in Independence in 1862, Lone Jack a few days later, and again in Independence in 1864.
Jackson County was strongly affected by Union General Thomas Ewing's infamous General Order No. 11 (1863). With large numbers of Confederate sympathizers living within its boundaries, and active Confederate operations in the area a frequent occurrence, the Union command was determined to deprive Confederate bushwhackers of all local support. Ewing's decree practically emptied the rural portions of the county, and resulted in the burning of large portions of Jackson and adjacent counties. According to American artist George Caleb Bingham, who described the order as "imbecilic" and was a resident of Kansas City at the time, one could see the "dense columns of smoke arising in every direction", symbolic of what he termed "a ruthless military despotism which spared neither age, sex, character, nor condition". Because of the destruction carried out under the order, its legacy haunted Jackson County for decades after the war.
Twentieth century
upright|right|thumb|[[Harry S. Truman statue in Independence, Missouri]]
The coming of the railroads and the building of stockyards led to the rapid expansion of Kansas City in the late 19th century. During the 1920s and '30s, the city became a noted center for Jazz and Blues music, as well as the headquarters of Hallmark Cards and the site of Walt Disney's first animation studio. The county fared better than many during the Great Depression, as local political boss Thomas Pendergast worked to implement a $50,000,000 public works project that provided thousands of jobs. One of Pendergast's political protegés was a young World War I veteran from Independence, Harry S. Truman, who had been his nephew's commanding officer in the war. Truman was elected Presiding Judge (equivalent to a County Executive) of Jackson County with Pendergast support in 1926. He later was elected as a U.S. Senator from Missouri, Vice President and, in 1945, following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, succeeded him to become the thirty-third President of the United States. Truman was also elected president in 1948 in his own right.
Following World War II, developers followed new highways and created subdivisions for new housing, which increasingly encroached on rural portions of the county. They provided housing for the nation's returning veterans and their young families. Independence, Blue Springs and Lee's Summit underwent growth during this period, which continues to the present. Kansas City, on the other hand, suffered problems of urban decay as jobs and families left the industrial city, problems common to many large American cities in the late 20th century.
Recent building projects have sought to reverse this trend, including work on the city's famous City Market, Westport district, 18th and Vine Historic District, and most recently, the Kansas City Power & Light District.
In 2024, the statues of Andrew Jackson were voted about whether to remove as to not idolize a slave owner or not. The plaques added in 2021 to the statues to hopefully add context and support for keeping the statues, wording it acknowledge Jackson was a slave owner and also supported the Indian Removal Act.
Some of the county's local history is presented at the Pleasant Hill Historical Society Museum, in Pleasant Hill on the southern edge of the county.
Economy
The total employment as of September 2024 is 1,142,105.
Government
thumb|Jackson County 16th Circuit courthouse in Kansas City
Jackson County was the second county to adopt a home-rule charter under the Missouri Constitution. The Jackson County Charter was adopted by the voters in 1970 and was amended in 1985 and 1986.
Executive power of the county is vested in the county executive, which is a full-time salaried position. The county executive is elected at-large by the general population of the county for a four-year term, but may be recalled by referendum.
Ordinances are passed by a county legislature. The legislature is made up of nine members: six are elected from smaller, single-member districts within the county. Three are elected "at large" from larger districts, each by voters of the whole county. Member terms are 4 years, beginning on January 1 following the election.
{| class="wikitable"
!Position||Name||Party||First Elected
|-
|Executive ||Phil LeVota || — | — || 2025
|-
|Prosecutor ||Melesa Johnson || | Democratic || 2025
|-
|Sheriff ||Darryl Forté || | Democratic ||2018
|-
|At-large Legislator ||Jalen Anderson || | Democratic ||2018
|-
|At-large Legislator ||Donna Peyton || | Democratic ||2022
|-
|At-large Legislator ||Megan Marshall || | Democratic ||2022
|-
|Legislator District 1 ||Manny Abarca IV || | Democratic ||2022
|-
|Legislator District 2 ||Venessa Huskey || | Democratic ||2022
|-
|Legislator District 3 ||Charlie Franklin || | Democratic ||2018
|-
|Legislator District 4 ||DaRon McGee || | Democratic ||2022
|-
|Legislator District 5 ||Jeanie Lauer || | Republican ||2018
|-
|Legislator District 6 ||Sean Smith || | Republican ||2022
|}
There are 244,570 registered voters.
Law enforcement
The County Sheriff is a full-time salaried position elected by the general population of the county for a four-year term the sheriff is Darryl Forté. The Sheriff's Office is also responsible for the county's jail.
Sheriff Mike Sharp resigned in April 2018 amidst scandal. He was the subject of a lawsuit that alleged sexual misconduct, personal use of public funds and sexual harassment. Sheriff Darryl Forté was then appointed. He had recently retired as the chief of the Kansas City Police Department. He was elected to a full term in November of that year.
In mid-2019, Sheriff Forté directed a more-restrictive policy on high-speed pursuits the day after one of his deputies was charged with injuring a bystander during such a chase in May 2018.
Courts
Jackson County is the only county that falls under the jurisdiction of the 16th Judicial Circuit of the Missouri Circuit Courts. The Court seats 19 Circuit Judges and 10 Associate Circuit Judges. All Judges of the court are appointed by the Governor of Missouri, Circuit Judges serve a term of six years and Associate judges serve a term of four years.
:
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Judges
! Year Appointed
! Appointed by
! Term ends
|-
| Presiding Judge Jalilah Otto
| 2017
| | Eric Greitens (R)
| 2024
|-
| Judge Justine E. Del Muro
| 1993
| | Mel Carnahan (D)
| 2024
|-
| Judge Marco A. Roldan
| 1999
| | Mel Carnahan (D)
| 2024
|-
| Judge John M. Torrence
| 2001
| | Bob Holden (D)
| 2026
|-
| Judge Joel P. Fahnestock
| 2009
| | Matt Blunt (R)
| 2028
|-
| Judge J. Dale Youngs
| 2009
| | Jay Nixon (D)
| 2028
|-
| Judge James F. Kanatzar
| 2011
| | Jay Nixon (D)
| 2024
|-
| Judge Charles H. McKenzie
| 2011
| | Jay Nixon (D)
| 2024
|-
| Judge Kevin D. Harrell
| 2012
| | Jay Nixon (D)
| 2026
|-
| Judge Patrick W. Campbell
| 2013
| | Jay Nixon (D)
| 2026
|-
| Judge Kenneth R. Garrett III
| 2013
| | Jay Nixon (D)
| 2026
|-
| Judge S. Margene Burnett
| 2013
| | Jay Nixon (D)
| 2028
|-
| Judge Bryan E. Round
| 2014
| | Jay Nixon (D)
| 2028
|-
| Judge Jennifer M. Phillips
| 2015
| | Jay Nixon (D)
| 2028
|-
| Judge Mark A. Styles, Jr.
| 2016
| | Jay Nixon (D)
| 2024
|-
| Judge Cory L. Atkins
| 2019
| | Mike Parson (R)
| 2026
|-
| Judge Adam L. Caine
| 2020
| | Mike Parson (R)
| 2028
|-
| Judge Sarah A. Castle
| 2020
| | Mike Parson (R)
| 2028
|-
| Judge Jerri J. Zhang
| 2021
| | Mike Parson (R)
| 2028
|-
| Associate Judge Twila K. Rigby
| 1997
| | Mel Carnahan (D)
| 2026
|-
| Associate Judge Jeffrey L. Bushur
| 2000
| | Mel Carnahan (D)
| 2026
|-
| Associate Judge Mary F. Weir
| 2013
| | Jay Nixon (D)
| 2026
|-
| Associate Judge Jeffrey C. Keal
| 2013
| | Jay Nixon (D)
| 2024
|-
| Associate Judge Janette K. Rodecap
| 2014
| | Jay Nixon (D)
| 2024
|-
| Associate Judge Susan E. Long
| 2015
| | Jay Nixon (D)
| 2026
|-
| Associate Judge Kyndra J. Stockdale
| 2019
| | Mike Parson (R)
| 2024
|-
| Associate Judge R. Travis Willingham
| 2019
| | Mike Parson (R)
| 2026
|-
| Associate Judge Jessica Agnelly
| 2020
| | Mike Parson (R)
| 2026
|-
| Associate Judge Kea S. Bird-Riley
| 2020
| | Mike Parson (R)
| 2026
|}
Jackson County also has a municipal court with one judge. The Municipal Judge is appointed by the County Executive with approval by the County Legislature and they serve a four-year term.
Geography
thumb|upright|[[Lake Jacomo]]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.9%) is water.
Notable Lakes include
- Longview Lake
- Lake Jacomo
- Blue Springs Lake
- Lake Lotawana
- Prairie Lee Lake
- Lake Tapawingo
The Missouri River comprises Jackson County's northern border (with the exception of one small portion north of the river around the intersection of Highways 210 and 291 as well as all of the 291 bridge). The county has historically been a major traveling point for American river travel.
Adjacent counties
thumb|right|Downtown Kansas City, Missouri, at twilight
- Johnson County, Kansas (west/southwest)
- Clay County, Missouri (north)
- Wyandotte County, Kansas (west/northwest)
- Cass County, Missouri (south)
- Lafayette County, Missouri (east)
- [[Ray County, Missouri|Ray
County]] (northeast)
- Johnson County, Missouri (southeast) - not part of the Kansas City metropolitan area
Jackson County is one of the few counties in the US to border two counties of the same name in different states (Johnson County in Kansas and Missouri).
Major highways
- 20px Interstate 29
- 20px Interstate 35
- 20px Interstate 49
- 20px Interstate 70
- 20px<br />20px Interstate 70 Alternate
- 25px Interstate 435
- 25px Interstate 470
- 25px Interstate 670
- 20px U.S. Route 24
- 20px<br />20px U.S. Route 24 Bus.
- 20px U.S. Route 40
- 20px U.S. Route 50
- 20px U.S. Route 56
- 20px U.S. Route 71
- 20px U.S. Route 169
- 20px Route 7
- 20px Route 9
- 20px Route 12
- 20px Route 78
- 20px Route 150
- 20px Route 210
- 20px Route 291
- 20px Route 350
Transit
- RideKC
- KC Streetcar
- Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
- Amtrak at Kansas City Union Station
- Greyhound Lines and Jefferson Lines at Kansas City Bus Station
National protected area
- Harry S Truman National Historic Site