Newton, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Newton, Illinois
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Jasper County Courthouse
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Location of Newton in Jasper County, Illinois
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Jasper |
| Township | Wade |
| Founded | 1835 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.09 sq mi (5.41 km2) |
| • Land | 2.09 sq mi (5.41 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 525 ft (160 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,777 |
| • Density | 1,329.98/sq mi (513.39/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
62448
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| Area code(s) | 618 |
| FIPS code | 17–52844 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2395228 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Newton, Illinois |
Newton is a city in Illinois, United States. It is the main town and county seat of Jasper County. In 2020, about 2,777 people lived there.
Newton is known for a few cool things. It has a large power plant that uses coal. It's also close to two nature areas: Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sam Parr State Fish and Wildlife Area. These are great places to explore nature!
One special spot in Newton is the Drive 'n Theatre. This outdoor movie theater opened way back in 1953. It's one of only ten drive-in theaters still open in Illinois today.
Contents
Famous People from Newton
Newton has been home to several well-known people.
- Ross Wolf was a professional baseball pitcher.
- Norman L. Benefiel and Albert Isley were important politicians in Illinois.
- Burl Ives was a famous folk singer.
- Irene Hunt was a writer. She wrote a historical novel called Across Five Aprils. This book was set in and around Newton during the Civil War.
Where is Newton Located?
Newton is right in the middle of Jasper County. It sits on a high area of land overlooking the Embarras River.
Two main roads pass through Newton:
- Illinois Route 33 goes through the city as Jourdan Street. It connects Newton to Robinson (about 24 miles east) and Effingham (about 23 miles northwest).
- Illinois Route 130 comes into Newton from the south. It then joins Route 33 on Jourdan Street to the east. Route 130 goes north to Greenup (about 19 miles away) and south to Olney (about 20 miles away).
The city of Newton covers about 2.09 square miles (5.41 square kilometers) of land.
How Many People Live in Newton?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 1,168 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,428 | 22.3% | |
| 1900 | 1,630 | 14.1% | |
| 1910 | 2,108 | 29.3% | |
| 1920 | 2,083 | −1.2% | |
| 1930 | 2,076 | −0.3% | |
| 1940 | 2,347 | 13.1% | |
| 1950 | 2,780 | 18.4% | |
| 1960 | 2,901 | 4.4% | |
| 1970 | 3,024 | 4.2% | |
| 1980 | 3,186 | 5.4% | |
| 1990 | 3,154 | −1.0% | |
| 2000 | 3,069 | −2.7% | |
| 2010 | 2,849 | −7.2% | |
| 2020 | 2,777 | −2.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 3,069 people living in Newton. By 2020, the population was 2,777.
Most people living in Newton are White (about 99%). Many of them have German family backgrounds. Some also have roots in England, France, and Ireland.
The average age of people in Newton in 2000 was 39 years old. About 24% of the population was under 18 years old.
Newton's History
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Newton is the biggest and oldest city in Jasper County. It was chosen as the county seat in 1835 because of its good location. A county seat is the main town where the local government offices are.
How Jasper County and Newton Got Their Names
Jasper County was created in 1831. It was named after Sergeant Jasper, a hero from the American Revolutionary War. He and his friend, Sergeant Newton, were brave patriots. They saved American prisoners from British soldiers. That's why the county and the city are named after them!
Early Days of Newton
- In March 1883, Newton got its first post office. It wasn't in a building! A mail rider carried the mail in his hat. He would stop in Newton once a week.
- By 1841, only five families lived in Newton.
- Lawrence Hollenbock and Samuel Garwood built a mill to cut wood and grind grain.
- Benjamin Harris opened the first grocery store.
- In 1855, Newton had Miller's Hotel and a small inn called the American House. Today, that inn is a restaurant called Yesterday's Pub and Dining.
- By 1865, Newton had grown to 300 people. Ten years later, it had 400 residents.
- In 1874, Joe Litzelman's Hack Express started. This was a daily horse-drawn carriage service to and from Olney.
Newton Today
Today, Newton is a busy community with local businesses and industries. It has a high school with about 500 students. There are also many organizations and churches. The downtown area has been improved with new lights and street designs. Groups like the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce help Newton continue to grow.
Schools in Newton
Newton is part of the Jasper County Community Unit School District 1. This is the largest school district in Illinois by area.
The schools in Newton include:
- Newton Community High School/Jasper County Junior High
- Newton Elementary School
- Saint Thomas Elementary School
See also
In Spanish: Newton (Illinois) para niños
