JASPER COUNTY, GA

County Offices
126 West Green Street
Monticello 706-468-4900
https://jaspercountyga.org/

Chamber of Commerce
119 West Washington Street
Monticello 706-468-8994
https://jaspercountycoc.com/

Beautiful and serene, rural Jasper County is further graced by the charm of historic Monticello, the county seat of government. Exceptional recreational opportunities, friendly small communities, and close proximity to a world of urban amenities make this region an idyllic home.

Services
Few places in the nation can rival Jasper County for blending country living with contemporary services. Excellent educational opportunities and quality healthcare facilities make this region the hub of Georgia’s Heartland, located within easy driving distance from Atlanta, Athens, Macon, Jackson, and several other urban centers. The network of healthcare services is anchored by Jasper Memorial Hospital, an acute-care facility that combines comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services with around-the-clock emergency care. The hospital is affiliated with The Retreat Nursing Home and is a licensed provider of Swing Bed skilled nursing care, meeting a wide range of medical needs close to home. Jasper Hospital also provides an advanced cardiology program that saves patients from long commutes by bringing in specialists from Atlanta on a regular basis. Many supportive services including dieticians, radiology, laboratory, and various therapies are also available through Jasper Hospital, which is been designated as a Critical Access Hospital as defined by the Office of Rural Health Policy.

The educational services in Jasper County are equally well-developed, beginning with the Jasper County School System. The public school system consistently demonstrates its commitment to graduating students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in a competitive world. Parents will be pleased to know that private school alternatives are available just beyond the front doorstep at the 25-acre campus for Piedmont Academy, an independent, co-ed institution for students from preschool through 12th grade. The Ferst Foundation focuses on Georgia’s preschool children, ensuring that they have access to books that will prepare them for reading and learning success. Opportunities for higher education include the Jasper County campus of Griffin Technical College, working in conjunction with the main campus in Griffin. Just 35 miles from Jasper County, Georgia College & State University fulfills its mission to provide the educational experience of an esteemed private liberal arts college at the affordable price of a public university. Other private and public institutions of higher education include Georgia Military College, Macon State College, the University of Georgia, Georgia Perimeter College, Oxford College, and Mercer University.

Lifestyle
Situated just 60 miles southeast of Atlanta, rural Jasper County is also 50 miles southwest of Athens and 40 miles northeast of Macon. Those who have relocated to this quiet and beautiful countryside often comment that it feels immediately “like home.” Quaint Monticello serves as the seat of county government, the largest population center, and the hub of healthcare and education. The timeless appeal of Monticello’s town square with its majestic courthouse blends with the natural legacy of sparkling lakes and national forestland to offer a rare quality of life. The city has been designated as the “Deer Capital of Georgia” for its exceptional hunting opportunities. At the same time, the Monticello Market Festival on the Square draws residents and visitors to an open-air market and some of the finest live local entertainment in Middle Georgia. Golfers will appreciate the Hunter Pope Country Club with its highly rated golf course.

Centrally located between Atlanta, Athens, and Macon, Jasper County is the sparkling jewel of Georgia’s Historic Heartland. Monticello is a “Preserve America” and “Better Hometown” community, serving as the trailhead for the rolling pastures and deep pine forests that cover the surrounding landscape. Scenic byways and biking trails are abundant. Rodeo enthusiasts can look forward to Shady Dale Rodeo, one of the largest in the Southeast. The Oconee National Forest preserves nearly 113,000 acres of unspoiled natural beauty in Jasper County, contrasting primitive campsites with developed amenities like the Ocmulgee River horse and bird-watching trails and the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge.  Another treasure is the vast acreage of the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, with its array of outdoor programs, day camps, and environmental programs. Annual events, seasonal festivals, and a well-developed arts community crown the area with cultural enrichment and opportunities for entertainment that the entire family can enjoy. From historic charm to natural resources and cultural legacy, Jasper County shines as a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

COMMUNITY PROFILES

Monticello

City Offices
706-468-6062
https://www.monticellogeorgia.org/

Chamber of Commerce
706-468-8994
https://jaspercountycoc.com/

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Historic District of Monticello serves as the commercial center of Jasper County, surrounded by picturesque residential neighborhoods. Most of the main roads leading to the city are tree-shaded streets lined with charming “character” homes. Funderburg Drive is uniquely characterized by small lots with equally small “saddlebag” houses. Architectural styles in this small but bustling city include Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, Second Empire, Colonial, neoclassical, English Tudor and Craftsman. Honoring the many Virginians who settled in Monticello, the Forsyth Street Historic District is a showcase for dogwood-lined streets of antebellum and Victorian homes and cottages. Monticello’s unique mix of “old and new” contrasts historic buildings and cemeteries with first-rate services and amenities in an atmosphere of small-town friendliness.

Shady Dale

Town Offices
706-468-1510
https://georgia.gov/cities-counties/shady-dale

Chamber of Commerce
706-468-8994
https://jaspercountycoc.com/

Just eight miles northeast of the county seat and the leading city of Monticello, the small community of Shady Dale is proud of its rich history dating back to 1882. Once an important rail town, Shady Dale is home to impressive mercantile buildings and the historic Old Shady Dale Hotel. Owned by Matthew Whitfield, a wealthy Georgia State legislator, the hotel once stood as the town’s crowning jewel. During the Civil War, the hotel reluctantly housed General William Sherman during the time his army passed through Jasper County on his march through Georgia. Today, residents of this small town enjoy the friendliness of a small community where neighbors greet each other by name and stop to chat from front porches. The Silver Bullet Hunting Club is one of the more famous attractions in Shady Dale, a family-oriented club with regularly scheduled activities. The commercial, educational, and healthcare amenities of Monticello are just minutes away, providing the ideal blend of intimacy and connection.

Turtle Cove

Community Association
706-468-8805
http://turtlecovepoa.com/

Chamber of Commerce
706-468-8994
https://jaspercountycoc.com/

The private residential community of Turtle Cove is ideally situated adjacent to beautiful Lake Jackson. This premier natural setting offers spectacular lake views and pristine woodlands in the heart of Central Georgia just 60 miles southeast of Atlanta and 45 miles northwest of Macon. Although many retirees are drawn to Turtle Cove for its exceptional recreational amenities and serene atmosphere, many families and residents who represent every walk of life have discovered a rare quality of life. Amenities within the community include a clubhouse, restaurant, swimming pool, tennis courts, a golf course, six lakefront parks, picnic areas, and sandy beaches. Many activities from movie nights and holiday parties to card games and exercise classes are available as well.