• Where is Jackson, Wyoming located?
    • Jackson is located in the Jackson Hole Valley in Teton County, Wyoming.
    • It is situated in the western section of Wyoming.
  • Why is Jackson a popular destination?
    • Jackson is a well-known gateway town for visitors heading to:
    • Grand Teton National Park
    • Yellowstone National Park
  • What is Jackson's role in Teton County?
    • Jackson is the county seat of Teton County.
    • It is also the largest town in the county.
  • How big is Jackson, Wyoming?
    • Jackson covers an area of 2.95 square miles.
  • What is the population of Jackson?
    • Jackson has an estimated population of over 10,000 people.
    • The surrounding Jackson Micropolitan Statistical Area has a population of more than 30,000 people.

Elevation Facts

  • What is elevation?
    • Elevation is a geographical statistic that indicates how high or low a location is in relation to mean sea level.
    • It is commonly measured in feet or meters.
  • Why is elevation important?
    • Elevation has practical uses in:
    • Town planning
    • Weather forecasting
    • Climate studies
    • Higher elevation areas tend to have lower average temperatures.
  • What is the elevation of Jackson, Wyoming?
    • The elevation of Jackson is 6,237 feet (1,901 m).
  • Why does Jackson have a high elevation?
    • Jackson is located in Wyoming, a state with generally high elevations.
    • Its proximity to mountainous areas further contributes to its high elevation.

Elevation Around the United States

The average elevation all around the United States is 2,500 feet (760 m), so the elevation of Jackson is much higher than the national average. However, Jackson’s elevation is actually lower than the state average for Wyoming. Wyoming is the second highest state of all, with a mean elevation of 6,700 feet (2,040 m), with its highest point being at Gannett Peak, a mountain of the Wind River Range, which has an elevation of 13,809 feet, while the lowest point in the state is the Belle Fourche River on the South Dakota border, which has an elevation of 3,101 feet (945 m).

Elevation of Jackson, WY

Major cities around Wyoming include the state capital of Cheyenne, which has an elevation of 6,062 feet (1,848 m), Casper, which is situated at an elevation of 5,150 feet (1,560 m), Laramie, which has a population of 7,165 feet (2,184 m), and Gillette, which is situated at an elevation of 4,554 feet (1,388 m). The highest incorporated city or town in all of Wyoming is Encampment, which is located in Carbon County at an elevation of 7,277 feet (2,218 m).

Elevation Influence and Climate in Jackson, WY

The city of Jackson has a humid continental climate which is significantly different to much of the rest of the state of Wyoming due its location in a valley. The high elevation at Jackson also results in very cold temperatures in the evenings compared to the days. The coldest month of the year is January, with average highs of 28°F (-2°C) and lows of 5°F (-15°C), while the warmest month is July with average highs of 82°F (28°C) and lows of 41°F (5°C).

What to Do in Jackson, WY

  • Why is Jackson, Wyoming a popular destination?
    • Jackson attracts huge numbers of visitors each year due to its many points of interest.
    • It is a prime location for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
  • What major national parks are near Jackson?
    • Jackson is located near two of the most famous national parks in the U.S.:
    • Yellowstone National Park
    • Grand Teton National Park
  • What other natural attractions are near Jackson?
    • The National Elk Refuge is a popular attraction near Jackson.
    • Visitors can see thousands of wild elk in their natural habitat.
  • Which ski resorts are located near Jackson?
    • Jackson is close to several renowned ski resorts, including:
    • Grand Targhee
    • Jackson Hole
    • Snow King Mountain
  • What annual events take place in Jackson?
    • Jackson hosts the annual Elkfest event.
    • The event benefits the Boy Scouts of America and celebrates the region’s elk population.

Jackson, WY History

The town is named after the Jackson Hole valley, which was named after David Edward "Davey" Jackson, a trapper who lived in the area in the early 19th century and was one of the first white settlers to spend a full winter in the valley. The town was named by a resident named Margaret Simpson who decided that the town needed a name in order to improve its postal service. Jackson was incorporated in 1914 and actually elected an all-female city government in 1920.

Over time, Jackson became known as a key touristic spot as well due to its prime location near two of the most popular national parks in the nation: Yellowstone and Grand Teton. The town's economy has been boosted by tourism over the years to a point where it has been able to expand and develop quite significantly, with a thriving shopping and food district in the center of town. Various ski resorts can also be found nearby, which have helped make the town of Jackson even more popular, and other local attractions and points of interest include the National Elk Refuge and National Museum of Wildlife Art.

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