Jackson County was formed from Haywood and Macon counties in 1851. It is in the western section of the ztate and is bounded by the states of South Carolina and Georgia, and Macon, Swain, Haywood, and Transylvania counties.

Jackson County's first court was ordered to be held at the home of Daniel Bryson, Sr., and after that session the courts were held at Allen Fisher's store until the courthouse was erected. In 1852, an act was passed authorizing an election to be held to decide on moving the county seat from Webster to Sylva. The election was held May 8, 1913, and was carried by a majority of 675. Sylva furnished the site and $10,000 in cash for the new courthouse.

Jackson County was named in honor of Andrew Jackson, who won an overwhelming victory from the British at New Orleans in 1815 and who was twice elected as President of the United States.

Jackson County is in the far eastern Nantahala National Forest. The southern half of Jackson County North Carolina, like Oconee County South Carolina and Rabun County Georgia are on the east-side of the Eastern Continental Divide. This natural watershed guides the waters of the Blue Ridge Mountains east to the Atlantic Ocean, while watershed on the western side of the Eastern Continental Divide guides the mountain waters to the Gulf of Mexico.