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Jacksonville is a city in Cherokee County, in the Piney Woods of East Texas, situated at the junction of U.S. Highways 69 and 79. With a population of 13,997 at the 2020 census and recent estimates near 15,000, it is the largest city in Cherokee County and the region's principal hub for retail, healthcare, education, and services. The county seat of Rusk lies nearby, but Jacksonville anchors the county's economy and daily life. The city's identity is rooted in agriculture. Peaches led the local economy from the 1880s until 1914, when tomatoes took over as the dominant crop and remained so into the 1950s. That era earned Jacksonville the title "Tomato Capital of the World," and the legacy is celebrated each June at the annual Tomato Fest, a downtown festival of contests, music, and vendors that draws visitors from across East Texas. Today the economy is more diverse, with Jacksonville functioning as a retail and healthcare center for Cherokee County and the surrounding area. Its location at the crossroads of two U.S. highways gives it reach toward Tyler, about 30 miles north, and into the deeper Piney Woods to the south and east. Recreation centers on Lake Jacksonville, a reservoir that supports boating, fishing, and lakeside living, and on the region's forests and hunting lands. Mud Creek Off Road ATV Park, which hosts large off-road events, adds a distinctive outdoor draw. Public schools are part of the Jacksonville Independent School District, and Jacksonville College, a private two-year institution, is based in the city. For people seeking an East Texas small city with genuine character, lake access, and the practical role of a regional hub, Jacksonville offers history, community, and convenience in equal measure.

Population 13,997

County Cherokee

Active Listings 109

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Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Jacksonville, Texas in?

Jacksonville is in Cherokee County, in East Texas. It is the largest city in the county, while the county seat is nearby Rusk. The city sits in the Piney Woods region at the junction of U.S. Highways 69 and 79.

Why is Jacksonville, Texas called the 'Tomato Capital of the World'?

Jacksonville earned the nickname 'Tomato Capital of the World' in the early 20th century, when tomatoes were the area's dominant crop. Peaches had led the local economy from the 1880s until 1914, when tomatoes took over and remained the primary crop into the 1950s.

What is the Jacksonville Tomato Fest?

The Jacksonville Tomato Fest is an annual celebration of the city's tomato-growing heritage, held the second Saturday in June. The festival features a tomato eating contest, tomato peeling and packing competitions, live music, vendors, and family activities in downtown Jacksonville.

What school district serves Jacksonville, Texas?

Jacksonville is served by the Jacksonville Independent School District, which operates the city's public elementary, middle, and high schools. Jacksonville College, a private two-year college, is also located in the city.

What is the population of Jacksonville, Texas?

Jacksonville had a population of 13,997 at the 2020 census, with recent estimates near 15,000. As the largest city in Cherokee County, it serves as the area's principal retail, healthcare, and employment center.

City Guide

About Jacksonville

Real Estate & Housing

Jacksonville's housing stock consists primarily of modest, established single-family homes, with older neighborhoods near the downtown and newer subdivisions spreading toward the city's edges. The city's role as a regional hub supports a steady mix of owner-occupied homes and rentals, and larger lots and rural acreage are common just outside the city limits in Cherokee County. Homes near Lake Jacksonville and the surrounding lakes offer waterfront and view settings. The market favors traditional single-family construction, with limited high-rise or dense multifamily development, keeping the town's low-slung, spread-out character intact.

Neighborhoods

Lifestyle in Jacksonville

Jacksonville offers the easygoing rhythm of an East Texas small city with the conveniences of a regional hub. Community pride runs through the annual Tomato Fest, which fills downtown with contests, music, and family activities each June, and through the city's agricultural heritage. Lake Jacksonville supports a lake-life culture of boating and fishing, while the surrounding Piney Woods offer hunting and outdoor recreation. As Cherokee County's largest city, Jacksonville provides retail, healthcare, and services that smaller nearby towns lack, giving residents a practical balance of small-town familiarity and everyday convenience.

Schools & Education

Jacksonville is served by the Jacksonville Independent School District, which operates the city's elementary, middle, and high school campuses. The district serves the city and surrounding areas, anchoring education for the largest community in Cherokee County. Jacksonville College, a private two-year college affiliated with the Baptist tradition, is also located in the city and has served area students for more than a century. For four-year and graduate study, the University of Texas at Tyler and Stephen F. Austin State University are within commuting distance.

Getting Around

Jacksonville sits at the junction of U.S. Highway 69 and U.S. Highway 79, two major East Texas corridors that connect the city to Tyler to the north, Lufkin and Nacogdoches to the south, and Dallas roughly 130 miles to the northwest. This crossroads position reinforces the city's role as a regional hub and keeps multiple employment centers within reach. Daily life is car-dependent, with Tyler serving as the nearest large city for air travel, specialized healthcare, and major retail. The surrounding rural highways remain relatively uncongested.

Parks & Recreation

Lake Jacksonville is the city's primary outdoor destination, offering boating, fishing, and lakeside parks within minutes of town. Mud Creek Off Road ATV Park draws off-road enthusiasts to its trails and hosts large events including the Mud Nationals each spring. The annual Tomato Fest brings downtown alive each June, while the surrounding Piney Woods provide hunting, hiking, and camping across Cherokee County and neighboring East Texas. State parks and additional reservoirs within the region add to the area's outdoor recreation options throughout the year.

MARKET SNAPSHOT

The Market at a Glance

How homes have been selling here over the last 90 days.

home_work New This Week 2

Went Under Contract 0

trending_down Price Reductions 0

payments Median Sale Price $184,900 -32.8%

square_foot Price per Sq Ft $177

schedule Avg Days on Market 47

sell Homes Sold 4

percent Sale-to-List Ratio 100.0%

inventory_2 Months of Inventory 31.8

Price & Sales History

Market data reflects closed sales over the last 90 days and is provided for informational purposes.

For sale

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