Jasper County was created in 1807 from a part of Baldwin County. Georgia's 34th county was named for Sergeant William Jasper, a Revolutionary War hero who died trying to retrieve a flag during the siege of Savannah.

Jasper County was actually the first Georgia county named for John Randolph of Virginia. It was given its current name when the Georgia General Assembly became irritated with Randolph's stand on the War of 1812. By 1828, John Randolph was back in favor and a new county in Georgia was named for him.

The county has two municipalities: Shady Dale and Monticello, the county seat. Monticello was named for Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia, mainly due to the large number of Virginian transplants in the area.

Parts of Lake Jackson and the Oconee National Forest are located in Jasper County.

Two notable people are claimed by the county. Benjamin Harvey Hill was both a U.S. Congressman and U.S. Senator. He also served in the Confederate Senate and was a staunch supporter of Jefferson Davis. Monticello is also home of country music star Trisha Yearwood.

Special events in Jasper County include the Shady Dale Rodeo, the Piedmont Classic Horse Show and the Deer Festival.

There are several homes in the county on the National Register of Historic Places including the Hitchcock-Roberts Home (circa 1817), the Jordan-Bellew House (circa 1838), and Reese Hall (circa 1820).