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 17,215.

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 34.12667°N, -83.59028°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 mi to Gainesville and southeast 19 mi to Athens. Interstate 85 runs through the northern end of Jefferson, 5 mi northwest of the center of town, with access from Exits 137 and 140. I-85 leads southwest 55 mi to Atlanta and northeast 90 mi to Greenville, South Carolina. According to the United States Census Bureau, Jefferson has a total area of 57.0 km2, of which 56.1 sqkm are land and 0.9 sqkm, 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

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,233 people, 3,933 households, and 2,885 families residing in the city. 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.

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.

Martin Institute

The Martin Institute was a school in Jefferson from 1818 to 1942.

Notable people