Monticello is the largest city in and the

county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or parish (administrative division), civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equiva ...

of Jasper County, Georgia, United States. The city includes historic buildings such as the Jasper County Courthouse, Monticello High School, and the Monticello Historic District. The population was 2,541 in 2020. It is southeast of

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...

History

Monticello was founded in 1808 as seat of the newly formed Jasper County. The city was named after Monticello, the estate of Thomas Jefferson. It was incorporated as a town in 1810 and as a city in 1901.

Geography

Monticello is located in the center of Jasper County at (33.303247, -83.685766). Georgia State Routes 11, 16, 83, and 212 all meet at the center of town. SR 11 leads north to Mansfield and south to Gray, SR 16 leads east to Eatonton and west the same distance to Jackson, SR 83 leads northeast to Shady Dale and southwest to Forsyth, and SR 212 leads northwest to the outskirts of Atlanta and southeast to Milledgeville. According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the city has a total area of , of which , or 0.89%, are water. The city is part of the Oconee River watershed.

Climate

The climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The

Köppen Climate Classification The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...

subtype for this climate is " Cfa" (Humid subtropical climate).

Geology and soils

The bedrock under Monticello is an intermediate-to- mafic type on which dark red clay with dark reddish brown loam topsoil is mapped as Lloyd series.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,541 people, 1,110 households, and 698 families residing in the city.

Education

Jasper County School District

The Jasper County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of two elementary schools (K-2 & 3-5 respectively), a middle school, and a high school. The district has 132 full-time teachers and over 2,181 students. *Jasper County Primary School *Washington Park Elementary School *Jasper County Middle School * Jasper County High School *Piedmont Academy - K3-12, co-ed, member of Georgia Independent School Association, established 1970

Historic school

* Monticello High School - presently Thomas Persons Hall

Representation in media

*'' The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings'' (1976) filmed many scenes in Monticello. The exteriors of buildings on the town square were remodeled to appear of the era of the movie. *'' Murder in Coweta County'' (1983), starring Andy Griffith,

Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter. Most of his music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. ...

, and June Carter Cash * Many scenes of '' My Cousin Vinny'' (1992) were set at the courthouse and town square, and other scenes were also shot in town.

Notable people

* William A. Connelly, sixth Sergeant Major of the Army * Elizabeth Otis Dannelly (1838–1896), poet *

Rob Evan Robert Buchen known professionally as Robert "Rob" Evan is an American actor and singer, best known as the lead performer in numerous Broadway musicals, a performer in national and international tours of musical productions, and a featured vocal ...

, singer, actor in many Broadway musicals, including '' The Dream Engine'' * Willis Flournoy, Negro league baseball player * Luke Gallows, professional wrestler * Susan Holmes, politician; first female mayor of Monticello * Buckshot Jones, NASCAR driver * Ulysses Norris,

University of Georgia The University of Georgia (UGA or Georgia) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university with its main campus in Athens, Georgia, United States. Chartered in 1785, it is the oldest public university in th ...

football player; seven-year NFL career with the Detroit Lions (five years) and

Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East div ...

(two years) * John Gill Shorter, 17th governor of

Alabama Alabama ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South, Deep Southern regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gu ...

* Sherry Smith, Major League Baseball player, pitched in two World Series * Odell Thurman, University of Georgia and NFL football player * Trisha Yearwood, country singer

References

External links

City of Monticello official websiteHebron Baptist Church
historical marker
Jackson Springs
historical marker
Site of Inn
historical marker * {{authority control Cities in Georgia (U.S. state) Cities in Jasper County, Georgia County seats in Georgia (U.S. state)