Newton County

Geography

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.

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)

Transit

Jefferson Lines

National protected area

George Washington Carver National Monument

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 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.

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:

There is also a single elementary school district, Westview C-6 School District.

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)

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

Communities

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 — Bill Reiboldt (R-Neosho). Consists of the communities of Diamond, Granby, Loma Linda, Neosho, Wentworth, and part of Silver Creek.

District 161 — Bill White (R-Joplin). Consists of the communities of Leawood, Redings Mill, and parts of Joplin and Silver Creek.

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 Ron Richard (R-Joplin).

Federal

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.