Jackson County, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Georgia
. The population in 2000 was 41,589. Explosive growth is evident with a population of 63,544 in the 2009 Census estimates. The county seat
is Jefferson
.
, Georgia
. 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 1800 square miles (4,662 km²), with Clarkesboro as its first county seat.
In 1801, the Georgia General Assembly
granted 40000 acres (161.9 km²) of land in Jackson County for a state college. Franklin College (now University of Georgia
) began classes the same year, and the city of Athens
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
. 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
.
Jackson lost more territory in 1811 in the creation of Madison County
, in 1818 in the creation of Walton
, Gwinnett
, and Hall
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.
http://www.jacksoncountygov.com/Index.aspx?page=283
of 2000, there were 41,589 people, 15,057 households, and 11,488 families residing in the county. The population density
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
, 7.78% Black
or African American
, 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
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
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 females 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
for the county was $17,808. About 9.90% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.30% of those under age 18 and 17.90% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The population in 2000 was 41,589. Explosive growth is evident with a population of 63,544 in the 2009 Census estimates. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Jefferson
Jefferson, Georgia
Jefferson is a city in Jackson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,825 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Jackson County. Jefferson is known for its superior recreation department...
.
History
On February 11, 1796, Jackson County was split off from part of Franklin CountyFranklin County, Georgia
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It became Georgia's ninth county, incorporating on February 25, 1784, and was named in honor of patriot Benjamin Franklin...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The new county was named in honor of Revolutionary War Lieutenant Colonel, Congressman, Senator and Governor James Jackson
James Jackson (politician)
James "Left Eye" Jackson was an early Georgia politician of the Democratic-Republican Party. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 until 1791. He was also a U.S. Senator from Georgia from 1793 to 1795, and from 1801 until his death...
. The county originally covered an area of approximately 1800 square miles (4,662 km²), with Clarkesboro as its first county seat.
In 1801, the Georgia General Assembly
Georgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, being composed of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate....
granted 40000 acres (161.9 km²) of land in Jackson County for a state college. Franklin College (now University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
) began classes the same year, and the city of Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
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 County, Georgia
Clarke County is a county in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 101,489. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 114,063...
. 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
Jefferson, Georgia
Jefferson is a city in Jackson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,825 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Jackson County. Jefferson is known for its superior recreation department...
, after Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
.
Jackson lost more territory in 1811 in the creation of Madison County
Madison County, Georgia
Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 5, 1811. As of 2000, the population was 25,730. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 28,012. The county seat is Danielsville....
, in 1818 in the creation of Walton
Walton County, Georgia
Walton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2009, the population was 87,311. The county seat is Monroe.This county is a part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area ....
, Gwinnett
Gwinnett County, Georgia
, Gwinnett County had a population of 805,321. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 53.3% white , 23.6% black , 2.7% Korean, 2.6% Asian Indian, 2.0% Vietnamese, 3.3% other Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 8.8% some other race and 3.1% from two or more races...
, and Hall
Hall County, Georgia
Hall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. In 2000, the population was 139,277. It is included in the Gainesville, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
counties, in 1858 in the creation of Banks County
Banks County, Georgia
Banks County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population is 18,395. The county seat is Homer.-History:*The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation to create Banks County on February 1, 1859, from Franklin and Habersham Counties.*The county is named for Richard...
, and in 1914 in the creation of Barrow County
Barrow County, Georgia
Barrow County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 46,144. The 2007 Census Estimate placed the population at 67,139...
.
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
| Commission post | Office holder |
| Chairman | Hunter Bicknell |
| District 1 - central Jackson | Tom Crow |
| District 2 - north Jackson | Chas Hardy |
| District 3 - west Jackson | Bruce Yates |
| District 4 - east Jackson | Dwain Smith |
http://www.jacksoncountygov.com/Index.aspx?page=283
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 343 square miles (888.4 km²), of which 342.36 square miles (886.7 km²) (or 99.81%) is land and 0.64 square miles (1.7 km²) (or 0.19%) is water.Rivers and creeks
- North Oconee River
- Sandy Creek (Georgia)
- Curry Creek
- Middle Oconee River
- Pond Fork
- Allen Creek
- Mulberry RiverMulberry River (Georgia)The Mulberry River is a tributary of the Middle Oconee River in the U.S. state of Georgia. It rises in southeastern Hall County and flows southeast, forming the boundary between Jackson and Barrow counties, to join the Middle Oconee south of Jefferson....
Major highways
Interstate 85Interstate 85Interstate 85 is a major interstate highway in the Southeastern United States. Its current southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 65 in Montgomery, Alabama; its northern terminus interchanges with Interstate 95 in Petersburg, Virginia, near Richmond...
U.S. Route 441U.S. Route 441U.S. Route 441 is a spur route of U.S. Route 41. It currently runs for 939 miles from U.S. Route 41 in Miami, Florida to U.S. Route 25W in Lake City, Tennessee. Between its termini, US 441 passes through the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee...
U.S. Route 129U.S. Route 129U.S. Route 129 is an offshoot route of U.S. Route 29, which it intersects near Athens, Georgia. US 129 currently runs for 582 miles from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Chiefland, Florida, at U.S. Route 19 and U.S. Route 98. It passes through the states of Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida...
State Route 11
State Route 15
State Route 82
State Route 98
State Route 124
State Route 330State Route 330 (Georgia)State Route 330 is a short west–east state route than runs from S.R. 82 north of Statham in Barrow County east to U.S. 129/S.R. 15 ALT northwest of Athens in Jackson County....
State Route 332State Route 332 (Georgia)State Route 332 is a strangely-routed route that runs from S.R. 53 in Hoschton in Jackson County to S.R. 13 in Oakwood in Hall County.From its southern terminus in Hoschton at S.R. 53, the route runs east to S.R. 124, where it then turns towards the north, until it reaches Pendergrass. In...
State Route 334State Route 334 (Georgia)State Route 334 is a short north–south highway in Jackson County in northeast Georgia. From its southern terminus at U.S. 441/S.R. 15 north of Athens, the route runs northward through generally rural parts of the county to its northern terminus at S.R. 98 in Commerce. The route can be used as...
State Route 335State Route 335 (Georgia)State Route 335 is a short west–east route located entirely in Jackson County in northeast Georgia. From its western terminus at S.R. 15 Alt/S.R. 82 in Jefferson, the route runs east through rural portions of Jackson County until it reaches its eastern terminus at U.S. 441/S.R. 15 in Nicholson....
State Route 346
Adjacent counties
- Banks CountyBanks County, GeorgiaBanks County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population is 18,395. The county seat is Homer.-History:*The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation to create Banks County on February 1, 1859, from Franklin and Habersham Counties.*The county is named for Richard...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- north - Madison CountyMadison County, GeorgiaMadison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 5, 1811. As of 2000, the population was 25,730. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 28,012. The county seat is Danielsville....
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- east - Clarke CountyClarke County, GeorgiaClarke County is a county in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 101,489. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 114,063...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- southeast - Oconee CountyOconee County, GeorgiaOconee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 25, 1875. As of the 2000 census, the population was 26,225. Census estimates for 2007 show a population of 31,367...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- south - Gwinnett CountyGwinnett County, Georgia, Gwinnett County had a population of 805,321. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 53.3% white , 23.6% black , 2.7% Korean, 2.6% Asian Indian, 2.0% Vietnamese, 3.3% other Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 8.8% some other race and 3.1% from two or more races...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- southwest - Barrow CountyBarrow County, GeorgiaBarrow County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 46,144. The 2007 Census Estimate placed the population at 67,139...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- west - Hall CountyHall County, GeorgiaHall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. In 2000, the population was 139,277. It is included in the Gainesville, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- northwest
National Historic Places
- Braselton Historic District
- Commerce Commercial Historic District
- Governor L. G. Hardman HouseGovernor L. G. Hardman HouseThe Governor L. G. Hardman House in Commerce, Georgia was built in 1921. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.v...
(Commerce) - Hillcrest-Allen Clinic and Hospital (Hoschton)
- Holder Plantation (Jefferson)
- Hoschton Depot
- Old Jackson County Courthouse (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. LongCrawford LongCrawford Williamson Long was an American surgeon and pharmacist best known for his first use of inhaled diethyl ether as an anesthetic...
Museum (Jefferson) - official site - Hurricane Shoals Park - official site
Attractions
- Atlanta DragwayAtlanta DragwayAtlanta Dragway is a drag racing facility located in Banks County, Georgia, just north of Commerce, Georgia. It is current home to the NHRA Full Throttle Series, Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals-History:...
(Commerce) - official site - Mayfield DairyMayfield DairyMayfield 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.-History:...
Visitors Center (Braselton) - official site - Chateau ElanChateau ElanChateau Elan is the largest winery in Georgia, located in Braselton, north of Atlanta.It was founded in 1982 by Dr. Don Panoz who came from the pharmaceutical industry.The facility is but only 50 are dedicated to the vineyard...
(Braselton) - official site - Sandy Creek Golf Course (Commerce) - official site
- Tanger Outlet Center (Commerce) - official site
- Traditions of Braselton (Braselton) - official site
Notable festivals and parades
- 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
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 41,589 people, 15,057 households, and 11,488 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 7.78% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.18% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.96% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.07% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.01% from two or more races. 3.00% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
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
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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 females 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
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $17,808. About 9.90% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.30% of those under age 18 and 17.90% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- ArcadeArcade, GeorgiaArcade is a city in Jackson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,643 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Arcade is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of...
- BraseltonBraselton, GeorgiaBraselton is a town in Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall, and Jackson Counties in the U.S. state of Georgia, about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 7,511....
- CommerceCommerce, GeorgiaCommerce is a city in Jackson County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 6,544.-Geography:Commerce is located at ....
(formerly Harmony Grove) - HoschtonHoschton, GeorgiaHoschton is a city in Jackson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,070 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hoschton is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of...
- JeffersonJefferson, GeorgiaJefferson is a city in Jackson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,825 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Jackson County. Jefferson is known for its superior recreation department...
- MaysvilleMaysville, GeorgiaMaysville is a town in Banks and Jackson Counties in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 1,663 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Maysville is located at ....
- NicholsonNicholson, GeorgiaNicholson is a city in Jackson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,247 at the 2000 census.Nicholson is known for its "Daisy Festival" and several famous residents, including singer Kenny Rogers and Actress Tammy Luthi Retzlaff...
(formerly Cooper) - PendergrassPendergrass, GeorgiaPendergrass is a city in Jackson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 431 at the time of the 2000 census.-Geography:Pendergrass is located at ....
- TalmoTalmo, GeorgiaTalmo is a town in Jackson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 477 at the 2000 census. It is named after a local Cherokee leader.Talmo calls itself "The Jewel of Jackson County."- History :...
Unincorporated communities
- Apple Valley
- Attica
- Brockton
- Center (incorporated until 1999)
- Clarksboro
- Constantine
- Dry Pond
- Ednaville
- Fairview
- Grove Level
- Holders
- Holly Springs
- Red Stone
- Sells
- Stoneham
- Thompsons Mills
- Thurmack
- Thyatira
- Wilsons Church
School Systems
- Jefferson City School DistrictJefferson City School DistrictThe Jefferson City School District is a public school district in Jackson County, Georgia, USA, based in Jefferson, Georgia. It serves the city of Jefferson, Georgia and the surrounding communities in Jackson County, Georgia.-Schools:...
- Jackson County School District
- Commerce City School DistrictCommerce City School DistrictThe Commerce City School District is a public school district in Jackson County, Georgia based in Commerce, Georgia. It serves the city of Commerce and the surrounding communities in Jackson County, Georgia.-Schools:...