Newton County | |
---|---|
![]() The Newton County Courthouse | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Texas | |
![]() Texas's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 30°47′N93°45′W / 30.78°N 93.75°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | 1846 |
Named for | John Newton |
Seat | Newton |
Largest city | Newton |
Area | |
• Total | 940 sq mi (2,400 km2) |
• Land | 934 sq mi (2,420 km2) |
• Water | 6.1 sq mi (16 km2) 0.6% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 12,217 |
• Density | 13/sq mi (5.0/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 36th |
Website | www |
Newton County is the easternmost county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 12,217. [1] Its county seat is Newton. [2] The county is named for John Newton, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War.
Newton County is included in the Beaumont-Port Arthur Metropolitan Statistical Area.
As of 2000, it had the second-lowest population density for all counties in East Texas, behind only Red River County, and the lowest population density in Deep East Texas.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 940 square miles (2,400 km2), of which 934 square miles (2,420 km2) is land and 6.1 square miles (16 km2) (0.6%) is covered by water. [3]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1850 | 1,689 | — | |
1860 | 3,119 | 84.7% | |
1870 | 2,187 | −29.9% | |
1880 | 4,350 | 98.9% | |
1890 | 4,650 | 6.9% | |
1900 | 7,282 | 56.6% | |
1910 | 10,850 | 49.0% | |
1920 | 12,196 | 12.4% | |
1930 | 12,524 | 2.7% | |
1940 | 13,700 | 9.4% | |
1950 | 10,832 | −20.9% | |
1960 | 10,372 | −4.2% | |
1970 | 11,657 | 12.4% | |
1980 | 13,254 | 13.7% | |
1990 | 13,569 | 2.4% | |
2000 | 15,072 | 11.1% | |
2010 | 14,445 | −4.2% | |
2020 | 12,217 | −15.4% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [4] 1850–2010 [5] 2010–2020 [6] |
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 [7] | Pop 2010 [8] | Pop 2020 [6] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH) | 11,157 | 10,825 | 9,249 | 74.02% | 74.94% | 75.71% |
Black or African American alone (NH) | 3,100 | 2,891 | 2,075 | 20.57% | 20.01% | 16.98% |
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 78 | 77 | 59 | 0.52% | 0.53% | 0.48% |
Asian alone (NH) | 39 | 62 | 24 | 0.26% | 0.43% | 0.20% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.00% |
Other Race alone (NH) | 2 | 0 | 27 | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.22% |
Mixed Race or Multiracial (NH) | 120 | 186 | 439 | 0.80% | 1.29% | 3.59% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 571 | 403 | 344 | 3.79% | 2.79% | 2.82% |
Total | 15,072 | 14,445 | 12,217 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the census [9] of 2000, 15,072 people, 5,583 households, and 4,092 families resided in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile (6.2 people/km2). The 7,331 housing units averaged 8 units per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.84% White, 20.69% Black, 0.63% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.56% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. About 3.79% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 5,583 households, 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were not families; 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county, the population was distributed as 26.20% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,500, and for a family was $34,345. Males had a median income of $31,294 versus $17,738 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,381. About 15.50% of families and 19.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.40% of those under age 18 and 17.30% of those age 65 or over.
Senators | Name | Party | First Elected | Level | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Senate Class 1 | John Cornyn | Republican | 1993 | Senior Senator | |
Senate Class 2 | Ted Cruz | Republican | 2012 | Junior Senator | |
Representatives | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Newton County Represented | |
District 36 | Brian Babin | Republican | New district created with 2010 census. First elected 2014. | Entire county |
Newton County was once one of the most Democratic-leaning counties in East Texas and the Deep South altogether. Until 1968, the county had voted for the Democratic candidate in every election since Texas first participated in 1848 (excluding the 1860, 1864, and 1868 elections when the state had seceded). Even when Republicans Herbert Hoover and Dwight D. Eisenhower carried Texas in 1928, 1952, and 1956, respectively, Newton County remained Democratic, usually by wide margins.
The Democratic streak in Newton County was ended in 1968 when American Independent Party candidate George Wallace narrowly won the county with 42.6% of the vote against Democrat Hubert Humphrey's 41.7%. President Richard Nixon in 1972 became the first Republican to ever win the county in an election with 54% of the vote against Democrat George McGovern's 45.4%. After 1972, the county returned to voting Democratic, surviving the landslide elections of Republicans Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush in 1980, 1984, and 1988, respectively. In fact, Newton County was Walter Mondale's strongest county in East Texas in the 1984 election, winning 60.6% of the vote, and one of only four in the region to vote for him. Michael Dukakis in 1988 remains the last Democratic presidential candidate to win over 60% of the vote in the county. [10]
Since 1988, the Democratic percentage in Newton County has decreased in every election, culminating in Al Gore's narrow win in 2000 with 50.16% against Governor George W. Bush's 48.56%. As of 2024, Gore remains the last Democrat to win the county's votes in a presidential election. Since 2004, the Republican candidate has comfortably carried the county in every election, with Bush winning 55.42% in 2004, John McCain winning 65.51% in 2008, Mitt Romney winning 70.06% in 2012 and Donald Trump winning 77.48% and 80.11% in 2016 and 2020 respectively. [10]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 4,781 | 83.13% | 952 | 16.55% | 18 | 0.31% |
2020 | 4,882 | 80.11% | 1,173 | 19.25% | 39 | 0.64% |
2016 | 4,288 | 77.48% | 1,156 | 20.89% | 90 | 1.63% |
2012 | 4,112 | 70.06% | 1,677 | 28.57% | 80 | 1.36% |
2008 | 3,446 | 65.51% | 1,751 | 33.29% | 63 | 1.20% |
2004 | 3,159 | 55.42% | 2,513 | 44.09% | 28 | 0.49% |
2000 | 2,423 | 48.56% | 2,503 | 50.16% | 64 | 1.28% |
1996 | 1,409 | 31.62% | 2,554 | 57.32% | 493 | 11.06% |
1992 | 1,212 | 22.00% | 3,249 | 58.99% | 1,047 | 19.01% |
1988 | 1,659 | 31.25% | 3,640 | 68.56% | 10 | 0.19% |
1984 | 2,123 | 39.03% | 3,296 | 60.60% | 20 | 0.37% |
1980 | 1,379 | 29.25% | 3,284 | 69.66% | 51 | 1.08% |
1976 | 1,011 | 22.46% | 3,468 | 77.03% | 23 | 0.51% |
1972 | 1,946 | 53.98% | 1,636 | 45.38% | 23 | 0.64% |
1968 | 555 | 15.67% | 1,476 | 41.68% | 1,510 | 42.64% |
1964 | 738 | 24.97% | 2,211 | 74.82% | 6 | 0.20% |
1960 | 756 | 29.19% | 1,815 | 70.08% | 19 | 0.73% |
1956 | 1,030 | 49.61% | 1,037 | 49.95% | 9 | 0.43% |
1952 | 917 | 35.99% | 1,630 | 63.97% | 1 | 0.04% |
1948 | 110 | 7.86% | 957 | 68.41% | 332 | 23.73% |
1944 | 187 | 15.28% | 910 | 74.35% | 127 | 10.38% |
1940 | 174 | 8.22% | 1,940 | 91.68% | 2 | 0.09% |
1936 | 93 | 7.71% | 1,111 | 92.12% | 2 | 0.17% |
1932 | 46 | 2.81% | 1,586 | 97.00% | 3 | 0.18% |
1928 | 397 | 41.27% | 564 | 58.63% | 1 | 0.10% |
1924 | 145 | 15.30% | 782 | 82.49% | 21 | 2.22% |
1920 | 58 | 8.68% | 420 | 62.87% | 190 | 28.44% |
1916 | 34 | 6.09% | 493 | 88.35% | 31 | 5.56% |
1912 | 11 | 3.12% | 278 | 78.75% | 64 | 18.13% |
School districts:
Areas of Newton County in Brookeland ISD, Burkeville ISD, and Newton ISD are assigned to Angelina College. [12] Legislation does not specify a community college for the remainder of the county.
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the county had a population of 620,443. The county seat is Conroe. The county was created by an act of the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 14, 1837, and is named for the town of Montgomery. Between 2000 and 2010, its population grew by 55%, the 24th-fastest rate of growth of any county in the United States. Between 2010 and 2020, its population grew by 36%. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population is 711,354 as of July 1, 2023.
Titus County is a county located in the northeastern region of the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 31,247. Its county seat is Mount Pleasant. The county is named for Andrew Jackson Titus, an early settler. Titus County comprises the Mount Pleasant micropolitan statistical area.
Shelby County is a county located in the far eastern portion of the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 24,022. Its county seat is Center. The county was established in 1835 as a municipality of Mexico and organized as a county in 1837. It is named for Isaac Shelby, a soldier in the American Revolution who became the first governor of Kentucky.
San Jacinto County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 27,402. Its county seat is Coldspring. The county's name comes from the Battle of San Jacinto which secured Texas' independence from Mexico and established a republic in 1836.
San Augustine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 7,918. Its county seat is San Augustine.
Robertson County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 16,757. Its county seat is Franklin. The county was created in 1837 and organized the following year. It is named for Sterling C. Robertson, an early settler who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.
Nacogdoches County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 64,653. Its county seat is Nacogdoches.
Live Oak County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. It was named for its native groves of live oak. George West is its county seat. Its population was 11,335 in the 2020 census.
Lee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 17,478. Its county seat is Giddings. The county was founded in 1874 and is named for Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The county has many Confederate memorials and monuments to the Confederate States of America.
Lavaca County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 20,337. Its county seat is Hallettsville. The county was created in 1846. It is named for the Lavaca River, which curves its way southeast through Moulton and Hallettsville before reaching the coast at Matagorda Bay.
Jasper County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 32,980. Its county seat is Jasper. The county was created as a municipality in Mexico in 1834, and in 1837 was organized as a county in the Republic of Texas. It is named for William Jasper, an American Revolutionary War hero.
Jackson County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census its population was 14,988. Its county seat is Edna. The county was created in 1835 as a municipality in Mexico and in 1836 was organized as a county. It is named for Andrew Jackson, President of the United States from 1829 to 1837.
Haskell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 5,416. The county seat is Haskell. The county was created in 1858 and later organized in 1885. It is named for Charles Ready Haskell, who was killed in the Goliad massacre.
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 10,359. The county seat is Mount Vernon.
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,435. Its county seat is La Grange. The county was created in 1837 and organized the next year.
Fannin County is a county in the far northeast of the U.S. state of Texas, on the border with Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, its population was 35,662. The county seat is Bonham.
Cottle County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,380. Its county seat is Paducah. The county was founded in 1876 and later organized in 1892. It is named for George Washington Cottle, who died defending the Alamo. Cottle County was formerly one of 46 prohibition, or entirely dry counties in the state of Texas. It now allows beer and wine sales.
Cochran County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 2,547. The county seat is Morton. The county was created in 1876 and later organized in 1924. It is named for Robert E. Cochran, a defender of the Alamo.
Cass County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 28,454. The county seat is Linden. The county was named for United States Senator Lewis Cass (D-Michigan), who favored the U.S. annexation of Texas in the mid-19th century.
Austin County is a rural, agricultural dominated county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,167. Its seat is Bellville. The county and region was settled primarily by German emigrants in the 1800s.