Newton County is a county located in the southwest portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 58,114. Its county seat is Neosho. The county was organized in 1838 and is named in honor of John Newton, a hero who fought in the Revolutionary War.
Newton County is part of the Joplin, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
thumb|250px|View of the Newton County Courthouse
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.3%) is water.
Adjacent counties
Jasper County (north)
Lawrence County (northeast)
Barry County (southeast)
McDonald County (south)
Ottawa County, Oklahoma (west)
Cherokee County, Kansas (northwest)
Rivers and creeks
Total river area: ; length:
Major highways
20px Interstate 44
20px Interstate 49
20px U.S. Route 60
20px U.S. Route 71
20px Route 43
20px Route 59
20px Route 86
20px Route 175
National protected area
George Washington Carver National Monument
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 52,636 people, 20,140 households, and 14,742 families residing in the county. The population density was 84 people per square mile (33.75/km2). There were 21,897 housing units at an average density of 35 per square mile (14/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.26% White, 0.59% Black or African American, 2.23% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.28% Pacific Islander, 1.12% from other races, and 2.20% from two or more races. 2.18% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 20,140 households, out of which 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,041, and the median income for a family was $40,616. Males had a median income of $30,057 versus $21,380 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,502. About 8.10% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Public schools
East Newton County R-VI School District – Granby
Granby Elementary School (K–04)
Triway Elementary School (K–04) – Stella
Granby Junior High School (05–08)
Triway Junior High School (05–08)
East Newton County High School (09–12)
Diamond R-IV School District – Diamond
Diamond Elementary School (PK–04)
Diamond Middle School (05–08)
Diamond High School (09–12)
Neosho R-V School District – Neosho
Field Early Childhood Center (PK)
Benton Elementary School (K–04)
Central Elementary School (K–04)
George Washington Carver Elementary School (K–04)
Goodman Elementary School (K–04)
South Elementary School (K–04)
Westview Elementary School (K–07)
Neosho Middle School (05–07)
Neosho Junior High School (08)
Neosho High School (09–12)
Seneca R-VII School District – Seneca
Seneca Elementary School (PK–05)
Iva E. Wells Middle School (06–08)
Seneca High School (09–12)
Private schools
Neosho (K–12) – Churches of Christ
Neosho (PK–12) – Pentecostal Ozark Christian Academy
Racine Apostolic Christian School – Racine (PK–12) – Pentecostal
Trinity Learning Center [Neosho, Missouri] (K-12) [Protestant]
Post-secondary
Crowder College – Neosho. A two-year junior college.
Public libraries
Neosho/Newton County Library
Politics
Local
The Republican Party completely controls politics at the local level in Newton County. Republicans hold every elected position in the county.
State
Newton County is divided into four districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, all of which are held by Republicans.
District 159 — Bill Lant (R) Pineville) Consists of the communities of Fairview, Newtonia, Racine, Ritchey, Seneca, Stark City, and Stella.
District 160 — [http://house.mo.gov/member.aspx?year=2017&district=160 Bill Reiboldt] (R-Neosho). Consists of the communities of Diamond, Granby, Loma Linda, Neosho, Wentworth, and part of Silver Creek.
District 161 — [http://house.mo.gov/member.aspx?year=2017&district=161 Bill White] (R-Joplin). Consists of the communities of Leawood, Redings Mill, and parts of Joplin and Silver Creek.
District 162 — [http://house.mo.gov/member.aspx?year=2017&district=162 Charlie Davis] (R-Webb City). Consists of a small part of the southeastern section of Joplin.
All of Newton County is a part of Missouri's 32nd District in the Missouri Senate and is represented by [http://www.senate.mo.gov/mem32/ Ron Richard] (R-Joplin).
Federal
All of Newton County is included in Missouri's 7th Congressional District and is represented by Billy Long (R-Springfield) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Communities
Cities
Diamond
Fairview
Granby
Joplin (mostly in Jasper County)
Neosho (county seat)
Seneca
Villages
Cliff Village
Dennis Acres
Grand Falls Plaza
Leawood
Loma Linda
Newtonia
Redings Mill
Ritchey
Saginaw
Shoal Creek Drive
Shoal Creek Estates
Silver Creek
Stark City
Stella
Wentworth
Unincorporated communities
Aroma
Belfast
Berwick
Boulder City
Christopher
Gregg
Hornet
Jolly
June
McElhany
Monark Springs
Pepsin
Racine
Spring City
Spurgeon
Sweetwater
Talmage City
Tipton Ford
Wanda
Townships
Benton
Berwick
Buffalo
Dayton
Five Mile
Franklin
Granby
Marion
Neosho
Newtonia
Seneca
Shoal Creek
Van Buren
West Benton
