City · North Carolina
Newton, North Carolina
Newton, city, in Catawba County, North Carolina. Newton had 13,822 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 13,148 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 13,333 (±29). GEOID 3747000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
13,822
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 13,148 · ACS 2020-2024: 13,333 ±29
Median household income
$62,015
±$5,625 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$186,300
±$32,657 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,091
±$128 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Newton and what county is it in?
Newton is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina. It covers 13.8 square miles of land, 953 residents per square mile in 2020.
Newton is in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Newton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 13,822 people lived in Newton on July 1, 2025, up 5.3% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 13,148 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 13,333 (±29).
| Measure | Newton | Catawba County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,333 ±29 | 163,573 | +274 |
| Households | 5,286 ±377 | 66,227 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.44 ±0.17 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,555 ±412 | 73,133 | no clear change |
Newton's population since 2000
From 12,560 in 2000 to 13,822 in 2025: up 10.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Newton as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Newton?
The median resident of Newton is 38.2 years old; 21.0% are under 18 and 20.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 11.6%. 9.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Newton | Catawba County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.2 ±2.9 | 42.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.0% ±2.9 pts | 21.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.5% ±3.7 pts | 18.7% | – |
| Male | 48.4% ±3.0 pts | 49.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.6% ±4.7 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 64.1% ±5.3 pts | 71.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 8.3% ±3.5 pts | 7.7% | −9.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 9.2% ±3.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.8% ±2.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±1.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.6% ±4.0 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 19.9% ±4.7 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9% ±2.0 pts | 6.3% | – |
| With a disability | 13.8% ±2.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.1% ±4.5 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.4% ±4.0 pts | 88.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.0% ±4.2 pts | 26.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.2% ±2.2 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.2% ±3.1 pts | 90.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.2% ±1.9 pts | 1.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Newton earn?
Half of Newton's 5,286 households earn less than $62,015 a year (±$5,625), against $67,864 in Catawba County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $56,689 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Newton | Catawba County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,015 ±$5,625 | $67,864 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $75,277 ±$6,498 | $90,959 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,528 ±$2,881 | $37,462 | +$4,663 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.0% ±5.4 pts | 12.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.0% ±9.3 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.0% ±3.6 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.5% ±4.7 pts | 94.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.5% ±6.5 pts | 88.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Newton?
Owners occupy 72.6% of Newton's occupied homes and renters 27.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $186,300 by its owner (±$32,657). The median renter pays $1,091 a month including utilities, and 38.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Newton | Catawba County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $186,300 ±$32,657 | $241,600 | +$50,678 |
| Median gross rent | $1,091 ±$128 | $965 | +$163 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.6% ±13.2 pts | 28.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,175 ±$120 | $1,343 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.6% ±5.6 pts | 72.2% | +19.8 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 27.4% ±5.6 pts | 27.8% | – |
| Housing units | 5,555 ±412 | 73,133 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.3% ±1.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.5% ±6.0 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.1% ±4.9 pts | 68.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 11.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8% ±0.9 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.3% ±4.0 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.7% ±3.2 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.1% ±2.6 pts | 5.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Newton work and get to work?
78.5% of Newton's workers drive alone and 5.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.2%.
| Measure | Newton | Catawba County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.9% ±4.8 pts | 60.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2% ±2.9 pts | 3.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.5% ±6.6 pts | 79.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.9% ±6.1 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.6% ±2.5 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.1% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.6% ±2.7 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.7 min ±3.0 | 23.4 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Newton?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Newton, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $61,238 (Tract 113) to $64,912 (Tract 112).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 112Catawba County | 5,501 | $64,912 |
| Tract 113Catawba County | 7,429 | $61,238 |
| Tract 117.01Catawba County | 4,997 | $82,095 |
| Tract 117.02Catawba County | 6,948 | $83,313 |
| Tract 116.01Catawba County | 5,081 | $74,011 |
| Tract 114.02Catawba County | 3,734 | $63,275 |
| Tract 114.01Catawba County | 3,681 | $55,074 |
| Tract 102.04Catawba County | 5,468 | $66,881 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Newton) · Census block assignment files
How does Newton compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Newton is the 2,554th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 77th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Newton ranks 227th of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 77th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 150th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 208th | 443 |
| Median household income | 227th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 250th | 443 |
| Median home value | 322nd | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 163rd | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 217th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 298th | 421 |
| Median age | 288th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 183rd | 443 |
| Work from home | 261st | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 309th | 439 |
Newton's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Newton with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Newton?
10 of the 57 figures for Newton on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Newton are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Newton.