Jefferson is a city and the county seat of Jackson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 13,233 at the 2020 census, up from 9,432 at the 2010 census. As of 2024 the estimated population was 16,459.
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History
Jefferson was founded in 1800. That same year, the seat of Jackson County was transferred to Jefferson from Clarkesboro. Jefferson was incorporated as a town in 1806 and as a city in 1896. The city was named after Thomas Jefferson.
Geography
Jefferson is located in central Jackson County at 34°7′36″N 83°35′25″W (34.126736, -83.590297). It is bordered to the northwest by Pendergrass and to the southeast by Arcade. U.S. Route 129 passes through the southwest side of the city, leading northwest 21 miles (34 km) to Gainesville and southeast 19 miles (31 km) to Athens. Interstate 85 runs through the northern end of Jefferson, 5 miles (8 km) northwest of the center of town, with access from Exits 137 and 140. I-85 leads southwest 55 miles (89 km) to Atlanta and northeast 90 miles (140 km) to Greenville, South Carolina.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Jefferson has a total area of 22.0 square miles (57.0 km2), of which 21.7 square miles (56.1 km2) are land and 0.3 square miles (0.9 km2), or 1.53%, are water. Curry Creek, a tributary of the North Oconee River, flows just to the east of downtown, and the Middle Oconee River runs along the western edge of the city.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Jefferson had a population of 13,233. The median age was 34.5 years. 32.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 12.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.1 males age 18 and over.
75.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 25.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 4,324 households in Jefferson, including 2,885 family households. Of all households, 50.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 61.5% were married-couple households, 11.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 4,477 housing units, of which 3.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.5%.
2023 estimate
In a 2024 report, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that Jefferson, GA was the fastest growing micropolitan statistical area in the country from 2020 to 2023. The population increased by an estimated 16.24% in that period.
Education
Jackson County School District
The Jackson County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of seven elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, and one charter school. As of March 2024, the district had a total of 10,646 students, not including enrollees of EMPOWER College and Career Center.
East Jackson Elementary School
Gum Springs Elementary School
Maysville Elementary School
North Jackson Elementary School
South Jackson Elementary School
West Jackson Elementary School
Heroes Elementary School
East Jackson Middle School
West Jackson Middle School
Legacy Knoll Middle School
East Jackson High School
Jackson County High School
EMPOWER College and Career Center (charter school)
Jefferson City School District
The Jefferson City School District holds preschool to grade twelve, and consists of one preschool, two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. As of March 2024, the district had 4,218 students.
Center for Early Learning
Jefferson Elementary School
Jefferson Academy
Jefferson Middle School
Jefferson High School
Martin Institute
The Martin Institute was a school in Jefferson from 1818 (Renamed to Martin Institute around December 1859) to January 13, 1942. This site was burnt down by a student who committed arson.
Notable people
Chris Beck, pitcher for the New York Mets
Hiram Parks Bell, U.S. Representative
Sammy Brown, linebacker for the Clemson Tigers football
Trentyn Flowers, professional basketball player
Damon Jesse Gause, World War II war hero
Brantley Gilbert, country music singer, songwriter
Crawford W. Long, physician who first used ether for surgical anesthesia
Brandon Mosley, former Auburn University and New York Giants offensive lineman
Corey Smith, country music singer, songwriter
Malaki Starks, professional football player; safety for the Baltimore Ravens and formerly for the Georgia Bulldogs