Newton, Kansas

Newton is a city in and the county seat of Harvey County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 18,602. Newton is located 25 mi north of Wichita. The city of North Newton is located immediately north and exists as a separate political entity. Newton is located at the intersection of Interstate 135, U.S. Route 50, and U.S. Route 81 highways.

19th century


For millennia, the land now known as Kansas was inhabited by Native Americans. In 1803, most of modern Kansas was secured by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1872, Harvey County was founded.

In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway extended a main line from Emporia westward to Newton by July 1871. The town soon became an important railroad shipping point of Texas cattle.

The city was founded in 1871 and named after Newton, Massachusetts, home of some of the Santa Fe stockholders.

In August 1871, there was a Gunfight at Hide Park, in which a total of eight men were killed. The incident began with an argument between two local lawmen, Billy Bailey and Mike McCluskie. Because of this incident, Newton became known as "bloody and lawless—the wickedest city in the west.".

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.

20th century
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 7000 ft.

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.

21st century
On February 25, 2016, Newton was the site of the first of several related shooting incidents, which culminated in a mass shooting at an Excel Industries building in nearby Hesston that left three people dead and twelve others injured. The shooter, identified as Excel employee Cedric Larry Ford, was then killed by a responding police officer.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.60 sqmi, all of it land.

The city 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.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Newton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics
Newton is included in the Wichita metropolitan statistical area (MSA). It is located in Harvey County which is an agricultural and small manufacturing county with 34,361 people. Harvey County Kansas is part of a 5 county Metro Area with 650,000 people, the largest anchored in the state of Kansas. The major city in this metro area is Wichita, Kansas, 20 miles (20 minutes) to the South via I-135.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 18,602 people, 7,501 households, and 4,798 families in Newton. The population density was 1,276.4 per square mile (492.8/km$2$). There were 8,256 housing units at an average density of 566.5 per square mile (218.7/km$2$). The racial makeup was 78.79% (14,657) white or European American (73.12% non-Hispanic white), 2.53% (471) black or African-American, 1.01% (188) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.88% (164) Asian, 0.02% (4) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 6.72% (1,250) from other races, and 10.04% (1,868) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 17.77% (3,306) of the population.

Of the 7,501 households, 29.4% had children under the age of 18; 47.2% were married couples living together; 27.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 31.1% of households consisted of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.0. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 21.5% of the population.

24.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 106.8 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $56,729 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,501) and the median family income was $66,806 (+/- $5,072). Males had a median income of $41,413 (+/- $3,677) versus $29,782 (+/- $3,872) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $35,192 (+/- $2,644). Approximately, 6.7% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under the age of 18 and 9.4% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 19,132 people, 7,584 households, and 5,045 families living in the city. The population density was 1518.4 PD/sqmi. There were 8,237 housing units at an average density of 653.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 88.4% White, 2.2% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 4.7% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.3% of the population.

There were 7,584 households, of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.5% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the city was 36.8 years. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 15.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,190 people, 6,851 households, and 4,610 families living in the city. The population density was 1,794.0 PD/sqmi. There were 7,277 housing units at an average density of 759.5 /sqmi. 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.

Area attractions

 * Harvey County Historical Society Library and Museum
 * Kauffman Museum
 * Warkentin House, a Victorian house museum.
 * Mennonite Settler statue
 * Blue Sky Sculpture, one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Art
 * Sand Creek Trail
 * Carriage Factory Art Gallery
 * Sand Creek Station Golf Course, 18-hole public course, ranked among 2006's best new public courses in America by Golf Digest.

Primary and secondary education
The community is served by Newton USD 373 public school district. Newton public schools consist of:


 * High school
 * Newton High School.


 * Intermediate schools
 * Santa Fe 5/6 Center.
 * Chisholm Middle School.


 * Elementary
 * Northridge Elementary.
 * Slate Creek Elementary.
 * South Breeze Elementary.
 * Sunset Elementary.


 * Early education
 * Cooper Early Education

Newton has two K-8 private schools:
 * Private
 * St. Mary's Catholic School.
 * Newton Bible Christian School.

College

 * Bethel College is located nearby in the city of North Newton.
 * Hutchinson Community College has a satellite campus at the Axtell Education Center, close to downtown.

Print media
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. Harvey County Now newspaper is also based in Newton and covers Harvey County.

Radio

 * AM
 * KJRG-AM 950 kHz, Christian talk


 * FM
 * KKGQ-FM 92.3 MHz, ESPN Wichita 92.3, sports programming
 * KBCU-FM 88.1 MHz - Bethel College (Kansas) - College events and Jazz music

Television
Newton is served by over-the-air ATSC digital TV of the Wichita-Hutchinson viewing market area, cable TV by Cox Communications, and satellite TV. See Media in Wichita, Kansas.

Transportation


BNSF Railway passes through Newton for transportation and shipping. Amtrak's Southwest Chief stops in Newton twice each day and provides passenger rail service towards Los Angeles and Chicago. The Amtrak station is located at 414 N Main St.

Bus service is provided daily towards Wichita and Salina by BeeLine Express (subcontractor of Greyhound Lines). While there is no local fixed-route transit service, Harvey Interurban provides dial-a-ride transit service to the community.

Major roads that pass through Newton are I-135, US-50, US-81, K-15.

Newton City/County Airport, FAA:EWK, is located 2 miles east of Newton. Its 7002 ft runway is one of only 11 runways in Kansas 7000 ft or longer. It has ILS and GPS approach.

Utilities

 * Internet
 * Cable is provided by Cox Communications.
 * DSL is provided by AT&T.
 * Wireless is provided by Pixius Communications.
 * Satellite is provided by HughesNet, StarBand, WildBlue.
 * TV
 * Cable is provided by Cox Communications.
 * Satellite is provided by DirecTV, Dish Network.
 * Terrestrial is provided by regional digital TV stations.
 * Telephone
 * Landline is provided by AT&T.
 * Cellular is provided by Verizon Wireless, Sprint, and AT&T Mobility.
 * Electricity is provided by Westar Energy.
 * Gas is provided by Kansas Gas Service.
 * Water
 * City is provided by City of Newton.
 * Rural is provided by Harvey County RWD #1.
 * Sewer is billed by City of Newton.
 * Trash is billed by City of Newton.

Notable people

 * See also List of people from Harvey County, Kansas


 * Tom Adair (1913–1988), screenwriter, musician, and composer
 * Donna Atwood (1925–2010), figure skater and Ice Capades star
 * Errett Bishop (1928–1983), mathematician, college professor.
 * Tony Clark (born 1972), MLB first baseman and union executive
 * Rita Crocker Clements (1931-2018), was an American Republican Party organizer, an activist in historic preservation, and a First Lady of the State of Texas.
 * Reed Crandall (1917-1982), illustrator and penciller of comic books and magazines, inducted into Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2009.
 * James Earp (1841-1926), brother of Wyatt Earp and Virgil Earp
 * Harold Foster (1906–1996), head coach of Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team, member of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
 * Orville Harrold, opera singer
 * Elizabeth Hoisington (1918–2007), United States Army officer, one of two women to first attain the rank of Brigadier General
 * John Houston (1890–1975), politician and Mayor of Newton
 * John Janzen (born 1937), professor of anthropology and author
 * Miles Johns (1994-), Mixed martial artist currently competing the UFC's bantam weight division.
 * Samuel Peters (1842–1910), Captain in Union Army (1861-1865), Kansas State Senate (1874-1875), Judge of 9th District (1875-1883), U.S. House of Representatives (1883-1891), editor of Newton Daily Kansas-Republican (1899), postmaster in Newton (1898-1910), lawyer in Newton and Marion.
 * Dustin Richardson (born 1984), MLB pitcher
 * Jacob Schowalter (1879–1953), philanthropist, founder of Schowalter Foundation, Kansas State Representative.
 * Jesse Unruh (1922–1987), California politician
 * Mike Wellman (born 1956), NFL center
 * Dallas Wiebe (1930-2009), writer
 * John Yoder (1951–2017), Kansas and West Virginia state court judge, West Virginia State Senator