[3][4][5] It is named for William Jasper, an American Revolutionary War hero.

[7] As of the census[13] of 2000, 35,604 people, 13,450 households, and 9,966 families resided in the county.

The racial makeup of the county was 78.24% White, 17.81% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.04% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races.

Of the 13,450 households, 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 12.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% were not families.

About 23% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.