Adjacent counties

• Gilmer County - north
• Dawson County - east
• Cherokee County - south
• Bartow County - southwest
• Gordon County - west

Major highways

2000 census

As of the census^[18] of 2000, 22,983 people, 8,960 households, and 6,791 families lived in the county. The population density was 99 inhabitants per square mile (38/km²). The10,687 housing units averaged 46 per square mile (18/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.21% White, 1.27% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. About 2.03% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 8,960 households, 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.50% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.20% were not families. About20.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was distributed as 23.60% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,387, and for a family was $47,123. Males had a median income of $32,039 versus $22,866 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,774. About 6.20% of families and 9.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, 29,431 people, 11,291 households, and 8,423 families resided in the county.^[19] The population density was 126.8 inhabitants per square mile (49.0/km²). The 13,692 housing units averaged 59.0 per square mile (22.8/km²).^[20] The racial makeup of the county was 95.7% White, 1.1% African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.8% of the population.^[19] In terms of ancestry, 17.8% were American, 13.2% were English, 12.3% were Irish, and 10.0% were German.^[21]

Of the 11,291 households, 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.4% were not families, and 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age was 42.1 years.^[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $49,945 and for a family was $59,955. Males had a median income of $46,773 versus $34,394 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,892. About 8.9% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.^[22]

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 33,216 people, 11,868 households, and 8,539 families residing in the county.

Cities

• Jasper
• Nelson (partially in Cherokee County)

Town

• Talking Rock

Unincorporated communities

• Tate
• Marble Hill
• Blaine
• Hinton

Private communities

A significant portion of the county population resides in gated master-planned communities that function similar to a municipality, with HOA fees to provide many municipal-type services independently from the county government.

• Bent Tree^[24]
• Big Canoe (partially in Dawson County)
• The Preserve at Sharp Mountain