Where is Jackson, California

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: August 5, 2026

Jackson is a historic city in California's Sierra Nevada foothills and the county seat of Amador County. It is about 50 miles southeast of Sacramento and sits in the heart of California Gold Country. Jackson is known for its Gold Rush history, historic Main Street, Kennedy Gold Mine, and nearby vineyards, lakes, and forested foothills.

Location Map of Jackson, Amador County, California

Where is Jackson Located in Amador County, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Jackson in Amador County, in the U.S. state of California.

Jackson Map, California

About Jackson Map: The Google Map highlights the location of Jackson in Amador County, California. Use the zoom, satellite, and street-view options to explore the city's neighborhoods, roads, and nearby places.

Where is Jackson Located?

Jackson is a city located in Amador County, California, the United States. It lies in the Sierra Nevada foothills of eastern California, about 50 miles southeast of Sacramento and roughly 15 miles north of Plymouth. Jackson serves as the county seat of Amador County and is part of the Sacramento metropolitan region. The city is located at approximately 38.349° North latitude and 120.774° West longitude. The 2020 Census recorded 4,657 residents. Jackson covers about 3.82 square miles, or 9.89 square kilometers. The city was founded during the California Gold Rush and developed as a major mining and commercial center in the Mother Lode region. The Kennedy Gold Mine is one of the area's best-known historic attractions and provides insight into the region's hard-rock mining past. Historic downtown Jackson contains buildings, shops, and landmarks dating from the Gold Rush era. A unique feature of Jackson is its role as a center for the Amador County wine region, with vineyards stretching through the nearby Shenandoah Valley. Lake Amador and New Hogan Lake also provide outdoor recreation close to the city. State Route 49 and State Route 88 connect Jackson with Sacramento, Placerville, Sonora, and other Gold Country communities.

Most Viewed US Maps

USA Sttae MapUSA Region MapUSA Road Map
USA County MapWhere is USA in World Map?US ZIP Code Map
USA Time Zones MapUS State and Capitals MapUSA Physical Map
Looking for a U.S. City?
Find 4,400+ U.S. Cities by State - Explore Their Locations and Get Detailed Information

Jackson City Facts

CityJackson
StateCalifornia
CountyAmador County
CountryUnited States
RegionSierra Nevada Foothills / California Gold Country
Incorporated1850
Founded1848
Total Area3.82 sq mi (9.89 sq km)
Land Area3.82 sq mi (9.89 sq km)
Water Area0.00 sq mi (0.00 sq km)
ElevationAbout 2,000 ft (610 m)
Population (2023 estimate)About 4,700
Population (2020 Census)4,657
Population DensityAbout 1,219 people per sq mi
Time ZonePacific Time (PT)
ZIP Codes95642
Area Code209
Major HighwaysState Route 49, State Route 88
Public TransitAmador Transit
Major AttractionsKennedy Gold Mine, Jackson Historic District, Amador County Museum, Lake Amador
Official Websitehttps://www.ci.jackson.ca.us/

Distance from Jackson, CA to Nearby Cities

  • Sutter Creek, CA – 5 miles (8 km)
  • Plymouth, CA – 8 miles (13 km)
  • Amador City, CA – 5 miles (8 km)
  • Ione, CA – 15 miles (24 km)
  • Martell, CA – 5 miles (8 km)
  • El Dorado, CA – 25 miles (40 km)
  • Placerville, CA – 30 miles (48 km)
  • Sonora, CA – 45 miles (72 km)
  • Galt, CA – 35 miles (56 km)
  • Lodi, CA – 40 miles (64 km)
  • Folsom, CA – 40 miles (64 km)
  • Sacramento, CA – 50 miles (80 km)
  • Stockton, CA – 50 miles (80 km)
  • Roseville, CA – 60 miles (97 km)
  • South Lake Tahoe, CA – 100 miles (161 km)

Top Attractions in Jackson

  • Kennedy Gold Mine – A historic hard-rock gold mine that played an important role in the development of California's Mother Lode.
  • Jackson Historic District – A Gold Rush-era downtown area with historic buildings, local shops, restaurants, and preserved streetscapes.
  • Amador County Museum – A local museum documenting the history, mining heritage, and communities of Amador County.
  • Lake Amador – A nearby reservoir known for fishing, camping, boating, and outdoor recreation.
  • New Hogan Lake – A large reservoir east of Stockton with opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing.
  • St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church – A historic religious site in Jackson reflecting the Serbian immigrant heritage of the Gold Country.
  • Shenandoah Valley – A nearby wine-growing region known for vineyards, rolling foothills, and historic rural landscapes.
  • Sutter Creek Historic District – A nearby Gold Rush town with preserved historic buildings, shops, tasting rooms, and walking areas.

Airports Near Jackson

  • Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK) – 50 miles
  • Mather Airport (MHR) – 45 miles
  • Sacramento International Airport (SMF) – 65 miles
  • Modesto City-County Airport (MOD) – 75 miles
  • Oakland International Airport (OAK) – 110 miles

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the official Jackson city website and local government records.

California Related Links

California MapCalifornia County MapMap of California With Cities
California ZipcodesAirports in CaliforniaWhere is California
California Area CodesCalifornia Blank MapCalifornia River Map
US County MapCalifornia Road MapCalifornia PhysicalMap