Newton County, Missouri

Coordinates: 36°55′N 94°20′W / 36.91°N 94.33°W / 36.91; -94.33
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Newton County
Newton County Courthouse in Neosho
Newton County Courthouse in Neosho
Map of Missouri highlighting Newton County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°55′N 94°20′W / 36.91°N 94.33°W / 36.91; -94.33
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedDecember 15, 1838
SeatNeosho
Largest cityJoplin
Area
 • Total627 sq mi (1,620 km2)
 • Land625 sq mi (1,620 km2)
 • Water1.8 sq mi (5 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total58,648
 • Density94/sq mi (36/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.newtoncountymo.com

Newton County is a county located in the southwest portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,648.[1] Its county seat is Neosho.[2] The county was organized in 1838 and is named in honor of John Newton, a hero who fought in the Revolutionary War.[3]

Newton County is part of the Joplin, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography[edit]

View of the Newton County Courthouse

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 627 square miles (1,620 km2), of which 625 square miles (1,620 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.3%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Rivers and creeks[edit]

Total river area: 361 acres (1.5 km2); length: 70 miles (110 km)[citation needed]

Major highways[edit]

Transit[edit]

National protected area[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18408,790
18504,268−51.4%
18609,319118.3%
187012,82137.6%
188018,94747.8%
189022,10816.7%
190027,00122.1%
191027,1360.5%
192024,886−8.3%
193026,9598.3%
194029,0397.7%
195028,240−2.8%
196030,0936.6%
197032,9019.3%
198040,55523.3%
199044,4459.6%
200052,63618.4%
201058,11410.4%
202058,6480.9%
2022 (est.)60,011[5]2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010[10]

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 (32 people/km2). There were 21,897 housing units at an average density of 35 units 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.

2020 Census[edit]

Newton County Racial Composition[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 47,551 81.1%
Black or African American (NH) 523 0.9%
Native American (NH) 1,351 2.3%
Asian (NH) 798 1.36%
Pacific Islander (NH) 790 1.35%
Other/Mixed (NH) 4,028 6.9%
Hispanic or Latino 3,607 6.15%

Education[edit]

Public schools[edit]

  • 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)
    • Central Campus Alternative 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[edit]

Post-secondary[edit]

Public libraries[edit]

  • Neosho/Newton County Library[14]

Communities[edit]

Cities[edit]

Villages[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Townships[edit]

  • Benton
  • Berwick
  • Buffalo
  • Dayton
  • Five Mile
  • Franklin
  • Granby
  • Marion
  • Neosho
  • Newtonia
  • Seneca
  • Shoal Creek
  • Van Buren
  • West Benton

Politics[edit]

Local[edit]

The Republican Party completely controls politics at the local level in Newton County. Republicans hold every elected position in the county.

Newton County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Cheryle Perkins Republican
Auditor Matt Major Republican
Circuit Clerk Patty Krueger Republican
County Clerk Tami Owens Republican
Collector James Otey Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)
Daniel Swem Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)
Alan Cook Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)
Mark Bridges Republican
Coroner Dale Owen Republican
Prosecuting Attorney William Lynch Republican
Public Administrator Joy Williams Republican
Recorder Jennifer Childers Republican
Sheriff Chris Jennings Republican
Surveyor Jerry Wood Republican
Treasurer Gina Rodriguez Republican

State[edit]

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 77.89% 22,031 20.12% 5,692 1.99% 562
2016 71.92% 19,123 24.85% 6,607 3.23% 860
2012 57.88% 14,483 39.48% 9,880 2.64% 661
2008 61.85% 15,570 36.29% 9,134 1.86% 468
2004 75.23% 17,935 23.75% 5,662 1.02% 242
2000 66.05% 13,917 32.18% 6,780 1.77% 373
1996 58.15% 10,445 39.60% 7,114 2.25% 404

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)[15] Pineville) Consists of the communities of Fairview, Newtonia, Racine, Ritchey, Seneca, Stark City, and Stella.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 159 — Newton County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bill Lant 5,209 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 159 — Newton County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bill Lant 2,362 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 159 — Newton County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bill Lant 4,719 100.00%
  • District 160 — Bill Reiboldt (R-Neosho). Consists of the communities of Diamond, Granby, Loma Linda, Neosho, Wentworth, and part of Silver Creek.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 160 — Newton County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bill Reiboldt 15,228 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 160 — Newton County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bill Reiboldt 7,434 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 160 — Newton County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bill Reiboldt 14,061 100.00%
  • District 161 — Bill White (R-Joplin). Consists of the communities of Leawood, Redings Mill, and parts of Joplin and Silver Creek.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 161 — Newton County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bill White 3,339 100.00% +23.10
Missouri House of Representatives — District 161 — Newton County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bill White 1,501 76.90% -23.10
Democratic Charles Shields 451 23.10% +23.10
Missouri House of Representatives — District 161 — Newton County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bill White 3,326 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 162 — Newton County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Charlie Davis 27 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 162 — Newton County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Charlie Davis 5 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 162 — Newton County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Charlie Davis 24 100.00%

All of Newton County is a part of Missouri's 32nd District in the Missouri Senate and is represented by Ron Richard (R-Joplin).

Missouri Senate — District 32 — Newton County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ron Richard 11,397 100.00%

Federal[edit]

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Newton County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 18,598 69.89% +11.31
Democratic Jason Kander 6,691 25.14% -10.76
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 573 2.15% -3.37
Green Johnathan McFarland 295 1.11% +1.11
Constitution Fred Ryman 454 1.71% +1.71
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Newton County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 14,574 58.58%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 8,933 35.90%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 1,374 5.52%

All of Newton County is included in Missouri's 7th Congressional District and is represented by Eric Burlison(Republican) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 7th Congressional District — Newton County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Billy Long 19,497 74.15% +0.14
Democratic Genevieve Williams 5,790 22.02% +0.67
Libertarian Benjamin T. Brixey 1,008 3.83% -0.77
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 7th Congressional District — Newton County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Billy Long 9,646 74.01% +2.87
Democratic Jim Evans 2,782 21.35% -3.75
Libertarian Kevin Craig 600 4.60% +0.84
Write-In Write-ins 5 0.04% +0.04
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 7th Congressional District — Newton County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Billy Long 17,499 71.14%
Democratic Jim Evans 6,174 25.10%
Libertarian Kevin Craig 924 3.76%
United States presidential election results for Newton County, Missouri[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 22,120 77.74% 5,818 20.45% 516 1.81%
2016 20,553 76.67% 4,990 18.61% 1,264 4.72%
2012 18,181 72.17% 6,425 25.50% 587 2.33%
2008 17,637 69.42% 7,450 29.32% 319 1.26%
2004 17,187 71.95% 6,564 27.48% 138 0.58%
2000 14,232 67.25% 6,447 30.46% 483 2.28%
1996 10,067 55.66% 5,840 32.29% 2,178 12.04%
1992 8,804 47.64% 5,987 32.40% 3,688 19.96%
1988 10,617 64.36% 5,798 35.15% 82 0.50%
1984 11,709 71.69% 4,623 28.31% 0 0.00%
1980 10,515 63.11% 5,621 33.74% 526 3.16%
1976 7,142 49.94% 7,045 49.26% 114 0.80%
1972 10,701 71.38% 4,291 28.62% 0 0.00%
1968 7,343 52.87% 5,064 36.46% 1,481 10.66%
1964 6,660 45.00% 8,139 55.00% 0 0.00%
1960 9,010 61.34% 5,678 38.66% 0 0.00%
1956 7,792 58.49% 5,529 41.51% 0 0.00%
1952 8,577 62.71% 5,070 37.07% 30 0.22%
1948 5,820 50.86% 5,598 48.92% 25 0.22%
1944 6,985 57.47% 5,146 42.34% 23 0.19%
1940 8,064 56.14% 6,256 43.55% 44 0.31%
1936 6,437 47.87% 6,929 51.52% 82 0.61%
1932 4,806 39.36% 7,224 59.17% 179 1.47%
1928 7,054 67.77% 3,269 31.41% 85 0.82%
1924 4,592 50.96% 3,970 44.06% 449 4.98%
1920 5,541 55.90% 4,078 41.14% 293 2.96%
1916 2,929 45.70% 3,158 49.27% 322 5.02%
1912 1,470 27.23% 2,421 44.84% 1,508 27.93%
1908 2,620 44.99% 2,725 46.80% 478 8.21%
1904 2,647 48.60% 2,296 42.15% 504 9.25%
1900 2,673 46.33% 2,877 49.87% 219 3.80%
1896 2,174 41.27% 3,029 57.50% 65 1.23%
1892 1,883 40.24% 1,978 42.26% 819 17.50%
1888 1,787 41.28% 1,969 45.48% 573 13.24%

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Newton County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Eaton, David Wolfe (1917). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 335.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  11. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Newton County, Missouri".
  12. ^ Neosho Christian Schools
  13. ^ Ozark Christian Academy
  14. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Neosho/Newton County Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  15. ^ 2017 election
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 25, 2018.

External links[edit]

36°55′N 94°20′W / 36.91°N 94.33°W / 36.91; -94.33