Newton County, Missouri

U.S. County|

 county  = Newton County|
 state = Missouri |
 seal = |
 map = Map of Missouri highlighting Newton County.png |
 map size = 200|

founded = December 15, 1838| seat = Neosho | area = 1,623km² (627 mi²) |

 area water = 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) |
 area percentage = 0.04% |
 census yr = 2000|
 pop = 54,775 (2004 update)|
 density = 33.75|

web = |}}

Newton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. The county was organized in 1838 and named for Sgt. John Newton, hero of the Revolutionary War. As of 2004, the population is 54,775. Its county seat is Neosho ⁶.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,623 km² (627 mi²). 1,622 km² (626 mi²) of it is land and 1 km² (0 mi²) of it (0.04%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Jasper County (north)
*Lawrence County (northeast)
*Barry County (southeast)
*McDonald County (south)
*Ottawa County, Oklahoma (west)
*Cherokee County, Kansas (northwest)

Water Bodies

Lakes

Total lake area: 2,573 acres
*Neutonia Lake
*Thurman Lake

Rivers and creeks

Total river area: 361 acres; length: 70 miles

*Baynham Branch
*Buffalo Creek
*Center Creek
*Clear Creek
*Dry Valley Branch

*Elm Spring Creek
*Five Mile Creek
*Harrison Creek
*Hickory Creek
*Clear Creek

*Indian Creek
*Shoal Creek
*Jacobs Creek
*Lost Creek
*Mason Spring Creek

*Middle Creek
*Indian Creek
*Rock Creek
*Shoal Creek
*Silver Creek

*Warren Creek
*Willow Creek

Major highways

*U.S. Route 60
*U.S. Route 71
*Missouri State Highway 43
*Missouri State Highway 59
*Missouri State Highway 86

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 52,636 people, 20,140 households, and 14,742 families residing in the county. The population density was 33.75/km² (84/mi²). There were 21,897 housing units at an average density of 14/km² (35/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.26% White, 0.59% Black or African American, 2.23% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.28% Pacific Islander, 1.12% from other races, and 2.20% from two or more races. 2.18% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 20,140 households out of which 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,041, and the median income for a family was $40,616. Males had a median income of $30,057 versus $21,380 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,502. About 8.10% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.