Jasper, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jasper, Georgia
|
|||
---|---|---|---|
City and county seat
|
|||
Downtown Jasper
|
|||
|
|||
![]() 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.
Contents
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 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
In Spanish: Jasper (Georgia) para niños