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| Newton County, Indiana | |
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| — County — | |
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| Coordinates: Coordinates: | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Indiana |
| Region | Northwest Indiana |
| Metro area | Chicago Metropolitan |
| Organized | February 7, 1835 |
| Abolished | 1839 |
| Re-organized | December 8, 1859 |
| Named for | Sgt. John Newton |
| County seat | Kentland |
| Largest town | Kentland (population and total area) |
| Incorporated Municipalities |
Five Towns
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| Government | |
| • Type | County |
| • Body | Board of Commissioners |
| • Commissioner | Kyle Conrad (1st) |
| • Commissioner | Timothy Drenth (2nd) |
| • Commissioner | Mickey Read (3rd) |
| Area | |
| • County | 403.44 sq mi (1,044.9 km2) |
| • Land | 401.76 sq mi (1,040.6 km2) |
| • Water | 1.68 sq mi (4.4 km2) |
| • Metro | 10,874 sq mi (28,160 km2) |
| Area rank | 43rd largest county in Indiana |
| • Region | 2,726 sq mi (7,060 km2) |
| Elevation | 692 ft (211 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • County | 14,244 |
| • Estimate (2013) | 14,087 |
| • Rank | 82nd largest county in Indiana 2,165th largest county in U.S.[1] |
| • Density | 35.5/sq mi (13.7/km2) |
| • Metro | 9,522,434 |
| • Region | 819,537 |
| Time zone | Central (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | Central (UTC-5) |
| ZIP Codes | 46310, 46349, 47922, 47942-43, 47948, 47951, 47963, 47978 |
| Area code | 219 |
| Congressional district | 4th |
| Indiana Senate district | 6th |
| Indiana House of Representatives districts | 15th and 19th |
| FIPS code | 18-111 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0450376 |
| Interstate and U.S. Routes |    
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| State Routes |      
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| Airport | Kentland Municipal
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| Waterways | Iroquois River – Kankakee River |
| Website | www.newtoncountyin.com |
* Indiana county number 56
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| Demographics (2010)[2] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| White | Black | Asian | |
| 96.2% | 0.4% | 0.3% | |
| Islander | Native | Other | Hispanic (any race) |
| 0.0% | 0.3% | 2.8% | 5.0% |
Newton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 14,244.[3] The county seat is Kentland.[4] The county is divided into 10 townships which provide local services.[5][6]
Newton County is included in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Contents
History[]
The original Newton County was formed by statute on February 7, 1835, and was a roughly square area some 30 miles on a side, encompassing what is now the northern half of the county, the northern half of Jasper County, and a large section to the north. The northern border was cut back to the Kankakee River on February 1, 1836, with all land north of the Kankakee River going to Lake and Porter counties. The county was abolished and combined with Jasper County in 1839. On December 8, 1859, the county was re-created and the borders were redrawn to essentially their current state.
Newton County is named after Sgt. John Newton, who served under Gen. Francis Marion (the "Swamp Fox") in the American Revolutionary War. It is adjacent to Jasper County, which was named after Sgt. William Jasper, whose story is similar. At least four other states, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas, have adjacent Jasper and Newton Counties, as though these two were remembered as a pair.[7]
Upon its re-creation, Newton County was the last county to be organized in Indiana.
Geography[]
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 403.44 square miles (1,044.9 km2), of which 401.76 square miles (1,040.6 km2) (or 99.58%) is land and 1.68 square miles (4.4 km2) (or 0.42%) is water.[8]
Newton County is the site of the Kentland crater, a probable meteorite impact crater located between Kentland and Goodland.
J.C. Murphy Lake is at the center of Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area.
Major highways[]
Interstate 65- U.S. Route 24
- U.S. Route 41
- U.S. Route 52
- Indiana State Road 10
- Indiana State Road 14
- Indiana State Road 16
- Indiana State Road 55
- Indiana State Road 71
- Indiana State Road 114
Railroads[]
- CSX Transportation
- Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway
Adjacent counties[]
- Lake County (north)
- Jasper County (east)
- Benton County (south)
- Iroquois County, Illinois (west)
- Kankakee County, Illinois (northwest)
Municipalities[]
The municipalities in Newton County, and their populations as of the 2010 Census, are:
Towns[]
- Brook – 997
- Goodland – 1,043
- Kentland – 1,748
- Morocco – 1,129
- Mount Ayr – 122
Census-designated places[]
- Lake Village – 765
- Roselawn – 4,131
Townships[]
The 10 townships of Newton County, with their populations as of the 2010 Census, are:
- Beaver – 1,573
- Colfax – 199
- Grant – 1,189
- Iroquois – 1,358
- Jackson – 382
- Jefferson – 2,140
- Lake – 2,384
- Lincoln – 1,734
- McClellan – 217
- Washington – 322
Climate and weather[]
| Climate chart for Kentland, Indiana | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
1.76
31
14
|
1.60
36
18
|
2.77
48
29
|
3.37
61
38
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4.05
73
50
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4.51
82
60
|
4.03
85
63
|
3.67
83
60
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3.25
78
53
|
2.84
65
41
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3.20
49
31
|
2.43
36
20
|
| temperatures in °C • precipitation totals in mm source: The Weather Channel[9] | |||||||||||
In recent years, average temperatures in Kentland have ranged from a low of 14 °F (−10 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, with a record low of −25 °F (−31.7 °C) recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.60 inches (41 mm) in February to 4.51 inches (115 mm) in June.[9]
Government[]
The county government is a constitutional body granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana and the Indiana Code. The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all spending and revenue collection. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms and are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of an income and property tax that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes and service taxes.[10][11]
The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue and managing day-to-day functions of the county government.[10][11]
The county maintains a small claims court that can handle some civil cases. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judge is assisted by a constable who is elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court.[11]
The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor and circuit court clerk. Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and be residents of the county.[11]
Each of the townships has a trustee who administers rural fire protection and ambulance service, provides poor relief and manages cemetery care, among other duties.[6] The trustee is assisted in these duties by a three-member township board. The trustees and board members are elected to four-year terms.[12]
Newton County is part of Indiana's 1st congressional district and in 2008 was represented by Pete Visclosky in the United States Congress.[13] It is part of Indiana Senate district 6[14] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 15 and 19.[15]
Demographics[]
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 2,360 | ||
| 1870 | 5,829 | 147.0% | |
| 1880 | 8,167 | 40.1% | |
| 1890 | 8,803 | 7.8% | |
| 1900 | 10,448 | 18.7% | |
| 1910 | 10,504 | 0.5% | |
| 1920 | 10,144 | −3.4% | |
| 1930 | 9,841 | −3.0% | |
| 1940 | 10,775 | 9.5% | |
| 1950 | 11,006 | 2.1% | |
| 1960 | 11,502 | 4.5% | |
| 1970 | 11,606 | 0.9% | |
| 1980 | 14,844 | 27.9% | |
| 1990 | 13,551 | −8.7% | |
| 2000 | 14,566 | 7.5% | |
| 2010 | 14,244 | −2.2% | |
| Est. 2013 | 14,087 | −3.3% | |
As of the census[20] of 2000, there were 14,566 people, 5,340 households, and 3,999 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 5,726 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.33% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 2.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.6% were of German, 14.3% American, 11.8% Irish, 10.0% English and 7.7% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 5,340 households out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.10% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.10% were non-families. 20.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.40% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,944, and the median income for a family was $46,741. Males had a median income of $36,152 versus $20,780 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,755. About 4.80% of families and 6.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.20% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.
Education[]
Public schools in Newton County are administered by two districts:
High Schools and Middle Schools
- North Newton Junior-Senior High School [3]
- South Newton High School [4]
- South Newton Middle School [5]
Elementary Schools
- Lake Village Elementary School [6]
- Lincoln Elementary School [7]
- Morocco Elementary School [8]
- South Newton Elementary School [9]
See also[]
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Newton County, Indiana
Bibliography[]
- George Pence and Nellie C. Armstrong (1933). Indiana Boundaries: Territory, State, and County. Indiana Historical Society.
References[]
- ^ "USA Counties in Profile". STATS Indiana. http://www.stats.indiana.edu/uspr/a/us_profile_frame.html. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ^ U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics 2010, Table DP-1, 2010 Demographic Profile Data. American FactFinder. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ^ a b "Newton County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18111.html. Retrieved 2011-09-25.
- ^ "Find a County – Newton County, IN". National Association of Counties. http://www.uscounties.org/cffiles_web/counties/county.cfm?id=18111. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
- ^ "Newton". Indiana Township Association. http://indianatownshipassoc.org/component/option,com_mtree/task,listcats/cat_id,180/Itemid,76/. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
- ^ a b "Duties". United Township Association of Indiana. http://unitedtownships.org/?page_id=22. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
- ^ De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle (1875). An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana. Indiana: R. S. Peale & co.. pp. 581. http://books.google.com/books?id=YDIUAAAAYAAJ.
- ^ "Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_counties_national.txt. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Kentland, Indiana". The Weather Channel. http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIN0320. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
- ^ a b Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". Government of Indiana. http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar2/ch3.html. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
- ^ a b c d Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). Government of Indiana. http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
- ^ "Government". United Township Association of Indiana. http://unitedtownships.org/?page_id=95. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
- ^ "US Congressman Pete Visclosky". US Congress. http://www.house.gov/visclosky/. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
- ^ "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/3006.htm. Retrieved 2011-07-14.
- ^ "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/3005.htm. Retrieved 2011-07-14.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/in190090.txt. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder2.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
External links[]
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Kankakee County, Illinois | Lake County |
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| Iroquois County, Illinois | 
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Jasper County | ||
   Newton County, Indiana | ||||
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| Benton County |
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| This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Newton County, Indiana. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License. |
