kids encyclopedia robot

Jasper, Georgia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Jasper, Georgia
Downtown Jasper
Downtown Jasper
Flag of Jasper, Georgia
Flag
Official seal of Jasper, Georgia
Seal
Location in Pickens County and the state of Georgia
Location in Pickens County and the state of Georgia
Country United States
State Georgia
County Pickens
Area
 • Total 8.56 sq mi (22.16 km2)
 • Land 8.56 sq mi (22.16 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,460-1,500 ft (446 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 4,084
 • Density 477.27/sq mi (184.28/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
30143
Area code(s) Area code 706/770
FIPS code 13-41932
GNIS feature ID 0316056

Jasper is a city located in Pickens County, Georgia, in the United States. It's a special place because it's the county seat of Pickens County, which means it's where the main government offices for the county are. In 2020, about 4,084 people lived here.

A Look Back: Jasper's History

Jasper was started in 1853. It became the main town for the newly formed Pickens County. First, it was called a "town" in 1857, and then it officially became a "city" in 1957. The city is named after William Jasper, a brave hero from the American Revolutionary War. Jasper is located high up, about 1,463 feet (446 meters) above sea level.

Exploring Jasper's Geography

Jasper is found at specific coordinates: 34.469127 degrees North and -84.434039 degrees West. This helps us pinpoint its exact spot on a map.

Roads and Connections

Several important roads run through or near Jasper. Georgia State Route 53 goes right through the middle of the city. Other major roads, State Route 5 and State Route 515, go around the city to its west. These routes connect Jasper to other towns.

For example, GA-5/515 can take you north about 21 miles (34 km) to Ellijay. If you go south, it's about 60 miles (97 km) to Atlanta, connecting to Interstate 575. GA-53 runs through the downtown area. It leads east about 24 miles (39 km) to Dawsonville and west about 36 miles (58 km) to Calhoun.

City Size

The United States Census Bureau says that Jasper covers an area of about 3.3 square miles (8.5 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no large bodies of water inside the city limits.

People of Jasper: Demographics

The number of people living in Jasper has changed a lot over the years. Here's how the population has grown:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 146
1890 333 128.1%
1900 379 13.8%
1910 332 −12.4%
1920 386 16.3%
1930 563 45.9%
1940 576 2.3%
1950 1,380 139.6%
1960 1,036 −24.9%
1970 1,202 16.0%
1980 1,556 29.5%
1990 1,772 13.9%
2000 2,167 22.3%
2010 3,684 70.0%
2020 4,084 10.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 4,084 people living in Jasper. There were 1,560 households and 889 families in the city at that time.

Learning in Jasper: Education

Jasper is part of the Pickens County School District. This district helps students from pre-school all the way to 12th grade.

Local Schools

The district has many schools, including:

  • Harmony Elementary School
  • Hill City Elementary School
  • Tate Elementary School
  • Jasper Middle School
  • Pickens Jr High School
  • Pickens High School

About 248 full-time teachers work in the district, teaching around 4,400 students.

Beyond High School

For students who want to continue their education, Chattahoochee Technical College has an Appalachian Campus in the area.

Fun Things to See and Do in Jasper

Jasper Georgia City Hall
Jasper City Hall

Jasper is often called "The First Mountain City" because it's located in the mountains, about 50 miles (80 km) north of Atlanta.

Historic Spots

The Tate House is a beautiful old building. It was built in the 1920s by Sam Tate, who was famous for marble in the area. Today, it's next to Tate Elementary and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Another interesting place is the historic Woodbridge Inn, which is a restaurant and inn. It's built on a spot that was once a special place for the Cherokee people.

Mountain Communities

Jasper is also close to several large mountain neighborhoods. These include Big Canoe, Bent Tree, and the Preserve at Sharp Mountain.

Exciting Events in Jasper

Jasper hosts some fun events throughout the year!

Georgia Marble Festival

Every year, on the first weekend of October, the Georgia Marble Festival takes place. It's put on by the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce at Lee Newton Park. The festival kicks off with the Marble Festival Road Race. You can find many booths with local sellers offering handmade crafts and other unique items. A big part of the festival is the art show, where you can see amazing sculptures made from marble, along with paintings, photos, and pottery.

Apple Festival

After the Marble Festival, the Apple Festival happens for two weekends in nearby Ellijay, which is in Gilmer County.

Famous Faces from Jasper

Some notable people have come from Jasper, Georgia:

  • Jeremiah Boswell - a basketball player
  • James Larry Edmondson - a judge
  • Weldon Henley (1880–1960) - a baseball pitcher for MLB
  • Chandler Smith - a NASCAR driver

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Jasper (Georgia) para niños

kids search engine
Jasper, Georgia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.