| Newton, Kansas | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Newton City Hall, 2006 | |
| Motto: Life as it Should Be | |
| Location of Newton, Kansas | |
| Map of Harvey County, Kansas | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Harvey |
| Founded | 1871 |
| Incorporated | 1872, 1880 |
| Government | |
| • Type | City Commission |
| • Mayor | Ken Hall |
| Area | |
| • Total | 11.73 sq mi (30.38 km2) |
| • Land | 11.73 sq mi (30.38 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,447 ft (441 m) |
| Population (2010)[1] | |
| • Total | 19,132 |
| • Density | 1,631/sq mi (629.7/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 67114 |
| Area code(s) | 316 |
| FIPS code | 20-50475[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0484319[3] |
| Website | www.NewtonKansas.com |
Newton is a city in and the county seat of Harvey County, Kansas, United States.[4] As of the 2010 census, the city population was 19,132.[1] Newton is located 25 mi (40 km) north of Wichita and is included in the Wichita metropolitan statistical area (MSA). The city of North Newton is located immediately north of the city, existing as a separate political entity.
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In 1871 the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a main line east-west through Newton.[5]
From its beginnings Newton came to be known as "bloody and lawless—the wickedest city in the west." This reputation was much due to the 1871 Gunfight at Hide Park, in which a total of eight men were ultimately killed. In 1872 the western terminal for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and the railhead for the Chisholm Trail were established here. Shortly after incorporation of the City in 1872, the Newton city council passed an ordinance prohibiting the running at large of buffalo and other wild animals.
The history of Newton is intertwined with the Railway. Newton served as the Middle Division dispatching headquarters for the "Santa Fe" until the mid 1980s, when all dispatching for the Chicago to Los Angeles system was centralized in the Chicago area. In 1995 the Santa Fe merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad, and is now known as the BNSF Railway. The BNSF continues to be a large industrial taxpayer although its impact as an employer has decreased in the past decade. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".
During World War II, the Newton airport was taken over by the US Navy as a secondary Naval Air Station, and the main runway was extended to over 7,000 feet (2,100 m).
Newton is in the central portion of the continental United States. U.S. Highway 81, also known as the Meridian Highway, stretches from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to Mexico City, Mexico through Central and South America. It passes through Newton, Kansas and is known as "Main Street." U.S. Highway 50 runs past the White House in Washington, DC through Newton, Kansas and continues on to Sacramento, California.
The city has a total area of 11.73 square miles (30.4 km2), all land with the exception of Sand Creek and several small tributaries.[6]
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 6,208 |
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| 1910 | 7,862 | 26.6% | |
| 1920 | 9,781 | 24.4% | |
| 1930 | 11,034 | 12.8% | |
| 1940 | 11,048 | 0.1% | |
| 1950 | 11,590 | 4.9% | |
| 1960 | 14,877 | 28.4% | |
| 1970 | 15,439 | 3.8% | |
| 1980 | 16,332 | 5.8% | |
| 1990 | 16,700 | 2.3% | |
| 2000 | 17,190 | 2.9% | |
| 2010 | 19,132 | 11.3% | |
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As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 17,190 people, 6,851 households, and 4,610 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,794.0 people per square mile (692.8/km²). There were 7,277 housing units at an average density of 759.5 per square mile (293.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.73% White, 2.30% African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.84% from other races, and 2.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.73% of the population.
There were 6,851 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population had 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,236, and the median income for a family was $45,703. Males had a median income of $32,308 versus $21,906 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,529. About 5.1% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
Newton is located in Harvey County which is an agricultural and small manufacturing county with 34,361 people. Harvey County Kansas is part of a four county "Metro Area" with about a half million people. The major city in this metro area is Wichita, Kansas, 20 miles (20 minutes) to the South via I-135.
Newton is part of Unified School District 373.[12][13] Newton public schools consist of Newton High, Santa Fe Middle, Chisholm Middle, Sunset Elementary, Northridge Elementary, Southbreeze Elementary, Slate Creek Elementary, and Walton agricultural charter school (in Walton, Kansas). Newton also has two private K-8 schools, Newton Bible Christian School and St. Mary's Catholic School,[14] and a private high school; Newton Christian High School (rural north of Newton).
Bethel College is located nearby in the City of North Newton.
Newton is served by local media as well as that of Wichita and national media. The following lists include both local media and media from the Wichita MSA.
The Newton Kansan (GateHouse Media) serves Newton and the surrounding area as the daily local newspaper. It is not published on Sundays or Mondays. The Wichita Eagle is the major newspaper for the region.
Cox Communications supplies Newton with cable Television
Major highways (I-135, US-50, US-81, K-15), an airport, and the BNSF Railway make Newton a central location for transportation and shipping. Amtrak's Southwest Chief stops in Newton twice each day and provides passenger rail service towards Los Angeles and Chicago.[15] The Amtrak station is located at 414 N Main St.[16]
Newton City/County Airport, FAA:EWK,[17] is located 2 miles east of Newton. Its 7,002-foot (2,134 m) runway is one of only 11 runways in Kansas 7,000-foot (2,100 m) or longer. It has ILS and GPS approach.[18][19]
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