Monticello is the largest city in and the county seat 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 56 mi southeast of Atlanta.

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 33.30333°N, -83.68583°W (33.303247, -83.685766). Georgia State Routes 11, 16, 83, and 212 all meet at the center of town. SR 11 leads north 18 mi to Mansfield and south 25 mi to Gray, SR 16 leads east 17 mi to Eatonton and west the same distance to Jackson, SR 83 leads northeast 9 mi to Shady Dale and southwest 26 mi to Forsyth, and SR 212 leads northwest 42 mi to the outskirts of Atlanta and southeast 32 mi to Milledgeville. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.4 km2, of which 0.07 km2, 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 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.

Historic school

Representation in media

Notable people