Jackson County is a

county A county is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposes Chambers Dictionary, L. Brookes (ed.), 2005, Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, Edinburgh in certain modern nations. The term is derived from the Old French ...

located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...

. As of the 2010 census, the population was 60,485. The

county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US ...

is Jefferson. Jackson County comprises the Jefferson, GA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,7 ...

- Athens-Clarke County- Sandy Springs, GA

Combined Statistical Area Combined statistical area (CSA) is a United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) term for a combination of adjacent metropolitan statistical area, metropolitan (MSA) and micropolitan statistical areas (µSA) across the 50 US states and ...

History

Most of the first non-Native American settlers came from Effingham County in 1786. On February 11, 1796, Jackson County was split off from part of Franklin County,

. The new county was named in honor of Revolutionary War Lieutenant Colonel, Congressman, Senator and Governor James Jackson. The county originally covered an area of approximately , with Clarksboro as its first county seat. In 1801, the

Georgia General Assembly The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each of the General Assembly's 236 members serve two-year terms and are direct ...

granted of land in Jackson County for a state college. Franklin College (now

University of Georgia , mottoeng = "To teach, to serve, and to inquire into the nature of things.""To serve" was later added to the motto without changing the seal; the Latin motto directly translates as "To teach and to inquire into the nature of things." , establ ...

) began classes the same year, and the city of

Athens Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates a ...

was developed around the school. Also the same year, a new county was developed around the new college town, and Jackson lost territory to the new

Clarke Clarke is a surname which means "clerk". The surname is of English and Irish origin and comes from the Latin . Variants include Clerk and Clark. Clarke is also uncommonly chosen as a given name. Irish surname origin Clarke is a popular surname i ...

. The county seat was moved to an old Indian village called Thomocoggan, a location with ample water supply from Curry Creek and four large springs. In 1804, the city was renamed Jefferson, after

Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 18 ...

. Jackson lost more territory in 1811 in the creation of Madison County, in 1818 in the creation of Walton, Gwinnett, and

Hall In architecture, a hall is a relatively large space enclosed by a roof and walls. In the Iron Age and early Middle Ages in northern Europe, a mead hall was where a lord and his retainers ate and also slept. Later in the Middle Ages, the gre ...

counties, in 1858 in the creation of Banks County, and in 1914 in the creation of Barrow County. The first county courthouse, a log and wooden frame building with an attached jail, was built on south side of the public square; a second, larger, two-story brick courthouse with a separate jailhouse was built in 1817. In 1880, a third was built on a hill north of the square. This courthouse was the oldest continuously operating courthouse in the United States until 2004, when the current courthouse was constructed north of Jefferson.

Law and government

Geography

According to the

U.S. Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.0%) is water. The vast majority of Jackson County is located in the Upper Oconee River sub-basin of the

Altamaha River The Altamaha River is a major river in the U.S. state of Georgia. It flows generally eastward for 137 miles (220 km) from its origin at the confluence of the Oconee River and Ocmulgee River towards the Atlantic Ocean, where it empties ...

basin, with just a small portion of the county's northern edge, between Maysville to just east of

Commerce Commerce is the large-scale organized system of activities, functions, procedures and institutions directly and indirectly related to the exchange (buying and selling) of goods and services among two or more parties within local, regional, natio ...

, located in the Broad River sub-basin of the

Savannah River The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the nor ...

basin.

Rivers and creeks

* North Oconee River **

Sandy Creek (Georgia) Sandy Creek may refer to: Communities Australia * Sandy Creek, South Australia, a town * Sandy Creek, Queensland a town * Sandy Creek, Victoria, a locality in the Shire of Indigo United States * Sandy Creek, New York, a town in Oswego County ** ...

** Curry Creek * Middle Oconee River **

Pond Fork Pond Fork (also called Pondfork Creek) is a stream in western Ozark County, Missouri. Pond Fork has its source in the northwest corner of Ozark County and flows south-southeast passing under Missouri Route 95 between Thornfield and Longrun to i ...

** Allen Creek (Holders Creek) * Mulberry River

Adjacent counties

* Banks County - north * Madison County - east * Clarke County - southeast *

Gwinnett County Gwinnett County ( ) is located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. It forms part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. In 2020, the population was 957,062, making it the second-most populous county in Georgia (after Fulton ...

- southwest * Barrow County - west * Hall County - northwest

Transportation

Major highways

Interstate 85 Interstate 85 (I-85) is a major Interstate Highway in the Southeastern United States. Its southern terminus is at an interchange with I-65 in Montgomery, Alabama; its northern terminus is an interchange with I-95 in Petersburg, Virginia, ...

U.S. Route 129 U.S. Route 129 (US 129) is an auxiliary route of US 29, which it intersects in Athens, Georgia. US 129 currently runs for from an intersection with US 19/ US 27 ALT/ US 98 in Chiefland, Florida, to an interchange ...

U.S. Route 129 Business * US 441

U.S. Route 441 U.S. Route 441 (US 441) is a auxiliary route of U.S. Route 41. It extends from US 41 in Miami, Florida to US 25W in Rocky Top, Tennessee. Between its termini, US 441 travels through the states of Florida, Georgia, North ...

U.S. Route 441 Business * Georgia 11

State Route 11 * Georgia 11 Business

State Route 11 Business * Georgia 11 Connector

State Route 11 Connector * Georgia 15

State Route 15 * Georgia 15 Alternate

State Route 15 Alternate * Georgia 53

State Route 53 * Georgia 59

State Route 59 * Georgia 60

State Route 60 * Georgia 82

State Route 82 * Georgia 82 Connector

State Route 82 Connector * Georgia 98

State Route 98 * Georgia 124

State Route 124 * Georgia 330

State Route 330 * Georgia 332

State Route 332 * Georgia 334

State Route 334 * Georgia 335

State Route 335 * Georgia 346

State Route 346 (former) * Georgia 403

State Route 403 (unsigned designation for I-85)

Pedestrians and cycling

* Fox Smallwood Dr Trail * American Veterans Memorial Park Trail * Commerce Middle School Track * Curry Creek Reservoir Trail * Jefferson Memorial Stadium Track * East Jackson Park Walking Trail * South Jackson Elementary Nature Trail & Walking Track * Hurricane Shoals Nature Trail * Sells Mill Nature Trail * Sandy Creek Park Walking Trail * Braselton Riverwalk Trail * East Jackson High School Track * W Jackson Middle School Track * West Jackson Park Walking Track

Demographics

2000 census

As of the

census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses inc ...

of 2000, there were 41,589 people, 15,057 households, and 11,488 families living in the county. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopu ...

was 122 people per square mile (47/km²). There were 16,226 housing units at an average density of 47 per square mile (18/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.00%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White ...

, 7.78%

Black Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white ha ...

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

, 0.18% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 1.07% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. 3.00% of the population were

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...

or Latino of any race. There were 15,057 households, out of which 36.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between ...

living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.70% were non-families. 19.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.10. In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 31.80% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 women there were 100.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.80 males. The median income for a household in the county was $40,349, and the median income for a family was $46,211. Males had a median income of $34,063 versus $22,774 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...

for the county was $17,808. About 9.90% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 13.30% of those under age 18 and 17.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the

2010 United States Census The United States census of 2010 was the twenty-third United States national census. National Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2010. The census was taken via mail-in citizen self-reporting, with enumerators serving ...

, there were 60,485 people, 21,343 households, and 16,479 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 23,752 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 86.8% white, 6.8% black or African American, 1.7% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 2.7% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, Of the 21,343 households, 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 22.8% were non-families, and 18.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.18. The median age was 37.1 years. The median income for a household in the county was $51,506 and the median income for a family was $58,239. Males had a median income of $43,906 versus $33,248 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,473. About 11.7% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the

, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census

As of the

2020 United States census The United States census of 2020 was the twenty-fourth decennial United States census. Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2020. Other than a pilot study during the 2000 census, this was the first U.S. census to off ...

, there were 75,907 people, 25,180 households, and 19,467 families residing in the county.

Education

* Commerce City School District * Jackson County School District * Jefferson City School District

Attractions

* Chateau Elan (Braselton) * La Vaquita Flea Market (Pendergrass) *

Mayfield Dairy Mayfield Dairy Farms is a United States dairy products company, with its headquarters in Athens, Tennessee and additional production plants in Birmingham, Alabama, and Braselton, Georgia. Since 1990 it has been under the ownership of Dean Foods. ...

Visitors Center (Braselton) * Sandy Creek Golf Course (Commerce) *

Tanger Outlet Center Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. ( ) is a real estate investment trust headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina that invests in shopping centers containing outlet stores in the United States and Canada. As of December 31, 2019, the comp ...

(Commerce)

National Historic Places

* Braselton Historic District * Commerce Commercial Historic District * Governor L. G. Hardman House (Commerce) * Hillcrest-Allen Clinic and Hospital (Hoschton) *

Holder Plantation The Holder Plantation, located in Jackson County, Georgia near its county seat, Jefferson, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. The plantation's main house, an I-house mainly built around 1867, and numerous outbuildings ...

(Jefferson) * Hoschton Depot *

Old Jackson County Courthouse Jackson County Courthouse may refer to: * Jackson County Courthouse (Arkansas), Newport, Arkansas * Jackson County Courthouse (Georgia), Jefferson, Georgia * Jackson County Courthouse (Florida), Marianna, Florida * Jackson County Courthouse (Illi ...

(Jefferson) * Jefferson Historic District * Oak Avenue Historic District(Jefferson) * Paradise Cemetery (Jefferson) * Seaborn M. Shankle House (Commerce) * Shields-Etheridge Farm * Talmo Historic District * Williamson-Maley-Turner Farm (Jefferson)

Parks and cultural institutions

Crawford W. Long Crawford Williamson Long (November 1, 1815 – June 16, 1878) was an American surgeon and pharmacist best known for his first use of inhaled sulfuric ether as an anesthetic, discovered by performing surgeries on disabled African American slave ...

Museum (Jefferson) * Hurricane Shoals Park

Events

* Daisy Festival - May (first full weekend) (Nicholson) * Mule Days - May (Shields-Etheridge Farm) * Annual City Lights Festival - mid-June (Commerce) * Celebrate Braselton - July 4 (Braselton) * Art in the Park - mid-September (Hurricane Shoals) * Annual Fall Festival - September (last weekend) (Hoschton) * Jefferson High School and Jefferson Middle School Band Concerts - throughout the year (Jefferson) * Jackson County Comprehensive High School, East Jackson Comprehensive High School, East Jackson Middle, and West Jackson Middle School Band Concerts - throughout the year

Communities

Cities

* Arcade *

Braselton Braselton ( ) is a town in Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall, and Jackson counties in the U.S. state of Georgia, approximately northeast of Atlanta. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 7,511, and in 2018 the estimated population was 11,65 ...

(partly in Gwinnett, Barrow and Hall) *

* Hoschton * Jefferson * Maysville (partly in Banks) * Nicholson * Pendergrass * Talmo

Unincorporated communities

* Apple Valley *

Attica Attica ( el, Αττική, Ancient Greek ''Attikḗ'' or , or ), or the Attic Peninsula, is a historical region that encompasses the city of Athens, the capital of Greece and its countryside. It is a peninsula projecting into the Aegean ...

* Brockton * Center * Clarksboro

History

Law and government

Geography

Rivers and creeks

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Major highways

Pedestrians and cycling

Demographics

2000 census

2010 census

2020 census

Education

Attractions

National Historic Places

Parks and cultural institutions

Events

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

External links