The city of single people: Midwestern metro leads in one-person households
It's known for being the birthplace of the Republican Party, where the first official statewide convention was held on July 6, 1854.But Jackson in Michigan - which has a population of just over 30,000 - is getting attention for another reason: being a city of single people.New data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that Jackson has witnessed a 10.1 percentage-point increase in single-person households in just 10 years.In 2014, about 28.6 percent of households in the Midwestern city were occupied by a single person. By 2024, that share had climbed to 38.7 percent.When it comes to the reasons behind this surge, Nadia Evangelou, NAR's principal economist and director of real estate research, says it boils down to several factors.However, she notes that affordability is one of the most tangible drivers.In Jackson - like other Midwestern cities following the same trend - living alone is simply more feasible than in higher-cost areas.'In extremely high-cost metros, living alone can be financially difficult. But in more affordable markets, single-adult households may be more feasible. New data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that Jackson has witnessed a 10.1 percentage-point increase in single-person households in just ten years Nadia Evangelou is NAR's principal economist and director of real estate research'Housing markets that remain relatively affordable can allow individuals - whether young professionals, mid-career workers, or older adults - to live independently,' she explained. In terms of what it's like living in Jackson - known for its strong manufacturing roots, downtown revival, and proximity to Ann Arbor - current and former residents offered positive feedback in a Reddit thread.In the thread, a Redditor based in Phoenix asked, 'Should I move to Jackson?' prompting more than 100 responses.One commenter offered a glimpse of daily life: 'If you're mostly a homebody, Jackson isn't bad at all. 'There are enough decent restaurants and stores that you won't get bored if you don't go out all the time. For the price, you really can find some nice houses.'However, one downside they mentioned is that 'the roads suck - that's not likely to change anytime soon.'Another user gave the city a thumbs up: 'Hey, I no longer live in Jackson, but I love it, and I'm proud to be from there. Sure, it's a bit of a sleepy town with some rust-belt, post-industrial problems, but there are good folks here. 'The local parks are great. Food is solid. Beer is top-notch. If you feel like getting out of the small town, Detroit is 80 miles away, and Ann Arbor and Lansing are about a 40-minute drive.' Jackson is known for being the birthplace of the Republican Party, where the first official statewide convention was held on July 6, 1854. Above, grounds at the historic prisonAccording to Zillow, as of early 2026 the average rent in Jackson is $1,098 - about 45 percent lower than the national average of $1,995.Meanwhile, the average home value in the city is $180,346, compared to the national average which is pushing close to $400,000.Evangelou also highlights that aging plays a role in shifting housing trends.As populations age, more people outlive their spouses, leading to higher rates of widowhood and single living, especially among older women. Aging also increases the share of people in life stages where remarriage is less common and independent living is more likely, boosting the number of single-person households overall.However, looking specifically at Jackson, Evangelou notes that aging does not appear to be the primary cause of the increase.'Jackson's median age rose only slightly over the decade, from 41.2 to 41.8,' she said.'That modest increase suggests that the rise in one-person households is not simply the result of a rapidly aging or retirement-heavy population. According to Zillow, as of early 2026 the average rent in Jackson is $1,098 - about 45 percent lower than the national average of $1,995 This three-bedroom home in Jackson is currently listed at $149,900 on Zillow'In some Florida or coastal retirement markets, rising solo living can be closely associated with older adults aging in place.'Evangelou says realtors should take note of the single-home trend in Jackson, as 'when more people live alone, demand patterns shift.'She added: 'Smaller homes, condominiums, townhomes, and low-maintenance properties may become more attractive. 'Aging-in-place design becomes more relevant. Rental demand dynamics can change.'While Jackson stands out for the magnitude of its shift, Evangelou emphasizes that it is not the only market experiencing this trend.'Larger metros such as Chicago, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. have also seen increases in one-person households over the past decade,' she said.'In those markets, however, the increase has generally been more gradual and closer to the national average.'The difference is scale. Nationally, the share rose 1.1 percentage points. In Jackson, it rose more than ten.'
