Jefferson

Jefferson is a city in Jackson County located just over an hour north of Atlanta. The city consists of about 19 square miles, with a population of just over 9,600 people. The average price to own a house or condo in Jefferson is $152,518, with an average rental cost of $682 per month. Named after Thomas Jefferson, most people move to Jefferson for financial/economic opportunity, its acceptance of newcomers, and the small town vibe of the city which is great for raising a family. The Jefferson City School System has been highly ranked for years now.

Jefferson is where the first surgery using an anesthetic was performed in 1842 by Crawford Long. Today, you can visit the Crawford W. Long Museum to see a medical gallery honoring Dr. Long with exhibits of personal family heirlooms, along with displays showing the development of modern anesthesia. You can also visit Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm, which is an outdoor agricultural museum that is unique for its collection of intact historic buildings.

If you happen to be in Jefferson around the last weekend in June, stop by downtown Jefferson to visit the Annual Freedom Festival. There you will find a parade in the morning, live music, games, inflatable bounce houses, classic “American” food (hot dogs, hamburgers, barbeque, cotton candy, fried pickles, ice cream, and more) from local food vendors, and a large fireworks show at night.