Newton County Public RecordsTexas

As of the 2020 Census, Newton County, TX, had a population of approximately 12,217 people. The median age is 44.7 years, indicating an older population. About 51% are male and 49% female. Racially, the county is 76.7% White, 17.9% Black or African American, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% Native American, and 4.7% identifying with two or more races.

Newton County, TX, has approximately 8,000 registered voters as of 2022. Elections conducted include federal, state, county, and local contests. In the 2020 general election, about 75% of votes went to the Republican presidential candidate. The county typically has 9 polling locations, with early voting options available. Voter turnout often exceeds 60% in general elections. Local election issues include infrastructure and education funding. The county’s elections are administered by the Newton County Elections Office. Major parties are Republican and Democratic, although Republicans dominate in most recent contests.

Newton County, TX has 10 public schools, including Newton High School and Deweyville High School. The high school graduation rate is approximately 81%, but only about 10% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average school test scores are below the state average, with an overall academic performance score of 4/10 (GreatSchools). Adult education opportunities are limited. School safety is average, with no major incidents reported recently. Educational programs focus on basic academics, CTE, and athletics, but advanced placement and gifted programs are limited.

As of 2023, Newton County, TX, has an employment rate of approximately 45.2%. The largest industries are health care and social assistance (22%), educational services (14%), and retail trade (12%). Leading occupation types include office and administrative support (17%), sales (14%), and management (10%). About 81% of workers commute outside their city for work, with an average travel time of 29 minutes. Major employment locations include Jasper, Beaumont, and nearby counties, reflecting a predominantly outbound commuting workforce.

Newton County, TX, has a homeownership rate of about 80%, with a median home value near $84,000 and median rent around $700 monthly. The housing stock is primarily single-family homes, with some mobile and manufactured units, scattered across rural neighborhoods like Newton and Deweyville. Property values have remained stable, appreciating less than 3% annually over recent years. Property taxes average 1.5-1.7% of assessed value, lower than the Texas state average, making Newton County an affordable choice compared to urban areas. Rental options are limited, contributing to the high ownership rate.

Newton County, TX, has a crime rate lower than the national average, with a violent crime rate of approximately 2.3 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate close to 9.7 per 1,000 residents in recent years. The county reported fewer than 50 violent crimes and about 200 property crimes annually. Law enforcement agencies provide regular crime reporting, and local efforts focus on community policing and safety improvement initiatives to maintain low crime levels. Residents generally consider Newton County a safe, rural community compared to broader Texas and U.S. statistics.