Newton County, Missouri

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
County
Newton County Courthouse in Neosho
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°55′N 94°20′W
Country	United States
State	Missouri
Founded	December 15, 1838
Seat	Neosho
Largest city	Joplin
Area
• Total	627 sq mi (1,620 km2)
• Land	625 sq mi (1,620 km2)
• Water	1.8 sq mi (5 km2)  0.3%
Population  (2020)
• Total	58,648
• Density	94/sq mi (36/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	7th
Website	www.newtoncountymo.com

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

Geography

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

• 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: 361 acres (1.5 km²); length: 70 miles (110 km)^{[citation needed]}

Baynham Branch Buffalo Creek Capps Creek Clear Creek Dry Valley Branch

Elm Spring Creek Five Mile Creek Harrison Creek Hickory Creek Indian Creek Jones Creek Lost Creek Mason Spring Creek

Middle Creek Rock Branch Shoal Creek Silver Creek Turkey Creek Warren Branch Willow Creek

Major highways

• Interstate 44
• Interstate 49
• U.S. Route 60
• U.S. Route 71
• Route 43
• Route 59
• Route 86
• Route 175

Transit

• Jefferson Lines

National protected area

• George Washington Carver National Monument

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	8,790		—
1850	4,268		−51.4%
1860	9,319		118.3%
1870	12,821		37.6%
1880	18,947		47.8%
1890	22,108		16.7%
1900	27,001		22.1%
1910	27,136		0.5%
1920	24,886		−8.3%
1930	26,959		8.3%
1940	29,039		7.7%
1950	28,240		−2.8%
1960	30,093		6.6%
1970	32,901		9.3%
1980	40,555		23.3%
1990	44,445		9.6%
2000	52,636		18.4%
2010	58,114		10.4%
2020	58,648		0.9%
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

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

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)
  • 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

• Neosho (K–12) – Churches of Christ^[12]
• Neosho (PK–12) – Pentecostal Ozark Christian Academy^[13]
• 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^[14]

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

Politics

Local

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

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%

• District 162 — Charlie Davis (R-Webb City). Consists of a small part of the southeastern section of Joplin.

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

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(ies)
	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

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Newton County, Missouri

References

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

• Newton County Historical Society - Official website
• Rootsweb, Newton County, Missouri
• Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Newton County Archived August 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books

36.91°N 94.33°W / 36.91; -94.33