Jefferson, the county seat of Jackson County, is named for President Thomas Jefferson. It is a picturesque community set among the gently rolling hills in the piedmont region of Georgia. The landscape is still dotted with small farms and lakes. Jefferson like many small towns in the south has gradually made the transition from agriculture, to textiles, to a balance of commercial and industrial businesses. The City's leadership is working to maintain Jefferson's small town character while strongly encouraging the development of a diverse economy that employs the growing local workforce.

Most people move to Jefferson for economic opportunity, its small town atmosphere, acceptance of newcomers and wholesome environment for raising a family. The Jefferson City School System is highly ranked, year after year, in terms of student achievement and SAT scores. There is a broad range of extra curricular activities and an award winning recreation department for adults and children of all ages.

The city’s most notable historic feature is the Crawford W. Long Museum. Dr. Crawford W. Long performed the first surgery using ether as an anesthetic in Jefferson on March 30, 1842. One of Atlanta’s major hospitals is named after him.