Jasper

Formed January 8, 1836 (5^th county)

Jasper County (32,983), Jasper (6,878)

The original part of the Renaissance Revival courthouse for Jasper County was built in 1889; however, extensive remodeling occurred in 1934 and 1960.  It is sited on United States Highway 96, which is Main Street, at Houston Street.  Eugene T. Heiner provided the building’s orange brick and white stucco design.  The building was enlarged in 1931 and 1940 and restored in 1993.  The county was organized on January 8, 1836 and the City of Jasper has been the home for all three courthouses (1837, 1851, and 1889) for the county.  Jasper County was one of the original 23 counties (5^th county.)  The county and county seat were named for Sergeant William Jasper a member of the Marion Regiment in the United States Revolution. 

Jasper County government consists of a sheriff, a County Judge, and 4 Commissioners.  Two District Court Judges serve Jasper, Newton, Sabine, and San Augustine counties, One District Court Judge serves Jasper, Newton, and Tyler counties, and One County Court Judge serves Jasper County.  The county is in the far southeast corner of Texas.  Houston, Texas is east and Beaumont, Texas is south.  The Neches River is the western border of the county.  The county center is 10.6 miles South of Jasper nearer Magnolia Springs.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Sabine, Newton, Orange, Hardin, Tyler, Angelina, and San Augustine counties. 

The area of the county is 938 square miles.  It is 92 out of 254 in the state.  It ranks 89 out of 254 in population in the state.  It has a density of 35.2 persons per square mile making it 100 out of 254 in the state.  Jasper County has 27.5% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 69 clips the extreme northwest tip going from Angelina County to Tyler County.  United States Highway 96 enters from Sabine County in the northeast and exits into Hardin County in the southwest.  United States Highway 190 goes east to west from Newton County to Tyler County.  The county is shaped like a tall glass that is tipping to the left at the top.  The City of Jasper is located in the northern quarter of the county.  Jasper is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 20.9% of the county population.