Editing Newton, Alabama

{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Newton, Alabama
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|image_skyline            = Downtown Newton.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Downtown Newton, Alabama
|image_seal               = 
|image_map                = File:Dale County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Newton Highlighted 0154480.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Newton in Dale County, Alabama.
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Alabama|County]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_name1        = [[Alabama]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Dale County, Alabama|Dale]]
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|established_date         = 
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 36.98
|area_total_sq_mi         = 14.28
|area_land_km2            = 36.90
|area_land_sq_mi          = 14.25
|area_water_km2           = 0.07
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.03
|elevation_ft             = 318
|elevation_m              = 97
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 1607
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_km2   = 43.55
|population_density_sq_mi = 112.78
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|coordinates              = {{coord|31|21|N|85|36|W|region:US-AL|display=inline,title}}
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 36352
|area_code                = [[Area code 334|334]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 01-54480
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0123931
|footnotes                = 
|website                  = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
}}
'''Newton''' is a town in [[Dale County, Alabama|Dale County]], [[Alabama]], United States. At the 2010 census its population was 1,511. Once the [[county seat]] of Dale County, Newton lost this distinction to nearby [[Ozark, Alabama|Ozark]] in 1870, and is now a small farming community. It incorporated in 1887.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3397|title=Newton}}</ref> The city currently forms a part of the [[Dale County, Alabama|Ozark micropolitan statistical area]].

==Geography==
Newton is located at 31°21′N 85°36′W (31.344,-85.593).

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|14.3|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|14.3|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|km2}} (0.21%) is water.

The [[Choctawhatchee River]] flows just to the north and west of Newton.  At one time this waterway was navigable by steamboat from its mouth in [[Choctawhatchee Bay]], [[Florida]] all the way to Newton.<ref>[http://www.southern-style.com/Southeast%20Alabama%20Heritage%20Association/Oscar%20Tompkins%20Wire%20Grass%20Sagas.htm Wiregrass Saga], by Oscar L. Thompson.  Retrieved on April 30, 2009.</ref>

Alabama State Route 123 and Alabama State Route 134 both pass through Newton.

==History==
[[Image:Civil War Monument.jpg|thumb|left|Civil War Monument in Newton, Alabama]]
Newton was founded in 1843 after the formation of [[Coffee County, Alabama|Coffee County]] from Dale County's western half, which rendered the original county seat of [[Daleville, Alabama|Daleville]] off-center.  The town was a scene for [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] recruiting during the [[U.S. Civil War|Civil War]], and was the site of a [[Battle of Newton (Alabama)|battle]] in March 1865 between local [[Confederate Home Guard|Home Guard]] troops and elements of the 1st Florida Cavalry (US) operating out of [[Florida]].  The Federals were led by [[Joseph G. Sanders|Joseph Sanders]], a Dale County resident who had previously been a captain in the 31st Georgia Infantry, but had later switched sides and joined the Federals.  Seeking to burn the county courthouse, the attackers were repulsed when local troops ambushed their column as they entered the town.  This event is commemorated by a [[monument]] located in downtown Newton, and by annual re-enactments.<ref>[http://www.zwire.com/news/newsstory.cfm?newsid=20167799&title=Civil+War+groups+to+bring+history+to+life+in+Newton&BRD=1145&PAG=461&CATNAME=Daleville%2FDale+News&CATEGORYID=418 Civil War Groups to Bring History to Life in Newton] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608043000/http://www.zwire.com/news/newsstory.cfm?newsid=20167799&title=Civil+War+groups+to+bring+history+to+life+in+Newton&BRD=1145&PAG=461&CATNAME=Daleville%2FDale+News&CATEGORYID=418 |date=June 8, 2011 }}. Retrieved on April 30, 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.battleofnewton.org/ Battle of Newton website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609185127/http://www.battleofnewton.org/ |date=June 9, 2013 }}.</ref>

On December 3, 1864, a local [[Methodist]] minister named [[Bill Sketoe]] was lynched just north of Newton by local Home Guardsmen led by Captain Joseph Brear.  Since Sketoe was tall, a hole had to be dug beneath his feet to accommodate his large frame.  Local legend insists that "the hole that won't stay filled" never vanished—even after being filled in numerous times during the years that followed.  Though covered in 1979 by a new bridge and tons of [[rip-rap]], "Sketoe's hole" remains a local attraction,<ref>[http://homepage.mac.com/katwhiskers/iblog/B1938900754/C871611634/E1619713658/index.html The Hanging of Bill Sketoe]{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Retrieved on April 30, 2009.</ref>  and was documented by Alabama writer [[Kathryn Tucker Windham]] in ''[[13 Alabama ghosts and Jeffrey|13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey]]''.<ref>Windham, Katheryn Tucker: ''13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey''.  Strode Publishers, 1969. {{ISBN|978-0-8173-0376-1}}.</ref>  A monument to Sketoe was dedicated near the hanging site in 2006,<ref>[http://www.zwire.com/news/newsstory.cfm?newsid=17383910&title=Sketoe+tale+memorialized&BRD=1145&PAG=461&CATNAME=Top+Stories&CATEGORYID=410 Sketoe Tale Memorialized] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608043030/http://www.zwire.com/news/newsstory.cfm?newsid=17383910&title=Sketoe+tale+memorialized&BRD=1145&PAG=461&CATNAME=Top+Stories&CATEGORYID=410 |date=June 8, 2011 }}. Retrieved on April 30, 2009.</ref> and the local museum displays items of Sketoe memorabilia.<ref>[http://www.zwire.com/news/newsstory.cfm?newsid=20127513&title=Historic+building+serves+new+purpose+as+town+hall&BRD=1145&PAG=461&CATNAME=Daleville%2FDale+News&CATEGORYID=418 Historic Building Serves New Purpose as Town Hall] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608043130/http://www.zwire.com/news/newsstory.cfm?newsid=20127513&title=Historic+building+serves+new+purpose+as+town+hall&BRD=1145&PAG=461&CATNAME=Daleville%2FDale+News&CATEGORYID=418 |date=June 8, 2011 }}.  Retrieved on May 1, 2009.</ref>

Following a fire which destroyed the courthouse in March 1869, and the formation of [[Geneva County, Alabama|Geneva County]] in 1870 from the southern third of Dale and Coffee Counties, voters relocated the county seat to Ozark, which was more centralized.

''[[The Southern Star (Alabama)|The Southern Star]]'', one of the oldest newspapers in the [[Wiregrass Region|Wiregrass area]], was first published in Newton in 1867. It later relocated to Ozark, where it continues to be published today. Newton remained a port for river boats on the nearby Choctawhatchee, until the  [[railroad]] arrived in 1890. The Baptist Collegiate Institute operated in the city from 1898 to 1929; its main building now houses the city's public library.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 469
|1890= 520
|1900= 457
|1910= 524
|1920= 680
|1930= 661
|1940= 616
|1950= 745
|1960= 958
|1970= 1865
|1980= 1540
|1990= 1580
|2000= 1708
|2010= 1511
|2020= 1607
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 6, 2013}}</ref><br>2013 Estimate<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/SUB-EST2013-3.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013|accessdate=June 3, 2014}}</ref>
}}

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 1,708 people, 693 households, and 510 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|119.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 790 housing units at an average density of {{convert|55.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 82.20% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 15.52% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.18% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.06% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.06% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.93% from two or more races. 1.23% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 693 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% 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 2.93.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,021, and the median income for a family was $35,795. Males had a median income of $28,924 versus $19,559 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $15,263. About 13.3% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 17.8% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="2010 census">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 21, 2015|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,511 people, 650 households, and 439 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|105.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 738 housing units at an average density of {{convert|51.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 83.6% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 13.0% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.7% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.0% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.1% from two or more races. 1.5% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 650 households, out of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.3% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 32.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $47,019. Males had a median income of $43,021 versus $30,368 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $21,781. About 9.2% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.8% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Newton racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0154480&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 17, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|1,282
|79.78%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|182
|11.33%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|6
|0.37%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|8
|0.5%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|2
|0.12%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|76
|4.73%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|51
|3.17%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 1,607 people, 655 households, and 479 families residing in the town.

==Schools==
Newton has its own Elementary School.

==See also==
*[[Battle of Newton (Alabama)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Dale County, Alabama}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Dale County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Towns in Alabama]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1843]]
[[Category:Reportedly haunted locations in Alabama]]
[[Category:1843 establishments in Alabama]]