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.