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. 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 metropolitan area.
WWW newtoncountymo.com

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Adjacent counties

Rivers and creeks

Total river area: ; length:

Major highways

Transit

National protected area

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 58,648. The median age was 40.4 years. 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.9 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 82.5% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 2.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 1.4% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.1% from some other race, and 8.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 6.2% of the population.
36.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 63.2% lived in rural areas.
There were 22,399 households in the county, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 24,570 housing units, of which 8.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.1% were owner-occupied and 26.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.4%.

2000 census

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. There were 21,897 housing units at an average density of. 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

Unified K-12 school districts covering parts of the county, no matter how small, including those which have offices and/or schools in other counties, include:
  • Carl Junction R-I School District
  • Diamond R-IV School District
  • East Newton County R-VI School District
  • Joplin School District
  • McDonald County R-I School District
  • Neosho R-V School District
  • Pierce City R-VI School District
  • Sarcoxie R-II School District
  • Seneca R-VII School District
  • Wheaton R-III School District
There is also a single elementary school district, Westview C-6 School District.

Public schools

Private schools

Post-secondary

Public libraries

  • Neosho/Newton County Library

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

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.

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 Consists of the communities of Fairview, Newtonia, Racine, Ritchey, Seneca, Stark City, and Stella.
  • District 160 — . Consists of the communities of Diamond, Granby, Loma Linda, Neosho, Wentworth, and part of Silver Creek.
  • District 161 — . Consists of the communities of Leawood, Redings Mill, and parts of Joplin and Silver Creek.
  • District 162 — . 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 .

Federal

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