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Newton, North Carolina
Main Street (NC 16)
Main Street (NC 16)
Official seal of Newton, North Carolina
Seal
Motto(s): 
"The Heart of Catawba County"
Location of Newton, North Carolina
Location of Newton, North Carolina
Country United States
State North Carolina
County Catawba
Area
 • Total 13.85 sq mi (35.87 km2)
 • Land 13.80 sq mi (35.73 km2)
 • Water 0.05 sq mi (0.14 km2)
Elevation
935 ft (285 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 13,148
 • Density 953.03/sq mi (367.98/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
28658
Area code(s) 828
FIPS code 37-47000
GNIS feature ID 2404377

Newton is a city located in Catawba County, North Carolina, in the United States. It's the main town, or county seat, of Catawba County. In 2020, about 13,148 people lived there. Newton is also part of a larger group of cities called the HickoryLenoirMorganton Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History of Newton

Newton was started as a town in 1845. It officially became a city in 1855.

Geography and Location

Newton is right in the middle of Catawba County. To the north, you'll find Conover. To the northwest is Hickory. Claremont is to the northeast, and Maiden is to the south.

The city covers a total area of about 35.8 square kilometers (13.8 square miles). Most of this area is land. Only a small part, about 0.1 square kilometers (0.05 square miles), is water.

Population and People

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 84
1860 291 246.4%
1870 323 11.0%
1880 583 80.5%
1890 1,038 78.0%
1900 1,583 52.5%
1910 2,316 46.3%
1920 3,021 30.4%
1930 4,394 45.4%
1940 5,407 23.1%
1950 6,039 11.7%
1960 6,658 10.3%
1970 7,857 18.0%
1980 7,624 −3.0%
1990 9,304 22.0%
2000 12,560 35.0%
2010 12,968 3.2%
2020 13,148 1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

How the Population Has Changed

The population of Newton has grown a lot over the years. In 1850, only 84 people lived there. By 2020, the population had grown to 13,148 people.

People Living in Newton Today (2020)

In 2020, there were 13,148 people living in Newton. These people made up 5,076 households and 3,332 families.

Newton's Population by Race
Group Number of People Percentage
White (not Hispanic) 8,365 63.62%
Black or African American (not Hispanic) 1,488 11.32%
Native American 37 0.28%
Asian 559 4.25%
Pacific Islander 2 0.02%
Other/Mixed 625 4.75%
Hispanic or Latino 2,072 15.76%

Interesting Places to Visit

Newton has several historic places that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are important buildings and sites that are protected because of their history.

  • Bost-Burris House: This is a historic home.
  • Catawba County Courthouse: Built in 1924, this old courthouse now holds the Catawba County Museum of History. You can learn about the area's past here.
  • Foil–Cline House: Also known as the John A. Foil House, this home was built in 1883.
  • Grace Reformed Church: This beautiful church was built in 1887 in the Gothic Revival style.
  • Long, McCorkle and Murray Houses: These houses were built around 1890. They show off the Craftsman and Queen Anne building styles.
  • Newton Downtown Historic District: This area includes many historic buildings in the heart of the city.
  • North Main Avenue Historic District: Another area with many historic buildings.
  • Perkins House: This is another notable historic home.
  • Rudisill–Wilson House: A historic house in Newton.
  • Self–Trott–Bickett House: Another historic house.
  • St. Paul's Church and Cemetery: This church was built in 1808. It has a special Federal style inside.

Famous People from Newton

Many talented people have come from Newton, North Carolina. Here are a few:

Local News and Media

Newton has its own local news sources:

  • The Observer News Enterprise: This is a daily newspaper. It shares local news and sports for Newton, Conover, and nearby towns. It has been around since 1879.
  • Outlook: This is a weekly guide about entertainment and activities. You can find it in Newton, Conover, and Hickory.
  • The Claremont Courier: This is a free newspaper that comes out once a month.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Newton (Carolina del Norte) para niños

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