Newton, IL

Illinois

Newton is a small town in Illinois with a population of 2,852. Residents earn $58,564 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
2,852 Population 1,365/sq mi density
$58,564 Median Income $30,897 per capita
$98,900 Home Value $160,518 Zillow
$745 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
143 Violent Crime/100K 1,924 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$58,564 median income, 1.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$98,900 home value, $745/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
143 violent crimes/100K (62% below avg)
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,564
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $98,900
65% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 143/100K
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.5%
45% lower than US avg
Median Rent $745
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.1%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.5%
58% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.7%
22% lower than US avg

How Newton Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,852
Median Age44.1 yrs
Density1,365/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

B+
Median Income$58,564
Per Capita$30,897
Unemployment1.5%
Poverty9.7%
County GDP$834M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$98,900
Rent$745
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$160,518

Crime

F
Violent143/100K
Property1,924/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault107/100K
Burglary463/100K

Health

Obesity40.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.5%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain46.0 in/yr
Elevation525 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.5%
High School+88.9%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 23%
Commute21 min
Libraries1

Is Newton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Newton receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Newton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Newton is $58,564, 22% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. 9.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Newton is $98,900, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $745 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Newton is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 143 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,924 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

18.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Newton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.0 inches, including 16.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Newton has a population of 2,852 with a density of 1,365 people per square mile. The median age is 44.1 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.7%), with 2% Hispanic.

Population

2,852
Total Population
1,365
People / sq mi
44.1yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.3%
Female 50.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Newton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.2%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.8%
94% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Newton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Newton is $58,564, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Newton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,564
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,897
Avg Weekly Wage$962
IRS Avg AGI$63,653

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.5%
58% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.7%
22% below US avg
Establishments (County)392
County GDP$834M

Business (County)

Restaurants38
Healthcare56
Retail60
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,850
39% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.90%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.6 min
Work from Home10.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Newton is $98,900, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $745 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $160,518.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$98,900
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$160,518

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$745
36% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,850
39% above US avg
Effective Rate4.90%
In Newton, 40.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.5% report depression. 24.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Newton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.1%
25% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure32.0%
Asthma11.0%
COPD7.8%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.3%
Physical Inactivity24.8%
Depression25.5%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress13.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.2%
Checkup Rate75.0%
Premature Death10,994/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access64.2%
Healthcare Facilities56
Newton has a violent crime rate of 143 per 100,000 residents, 62% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,924 per 100,000 (2% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Newton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent142.6/100K
62% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery35.6/100K
Assault106.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,924.5/100K
2% below US avg
Burglary463.3/100K
Theft1,389.9/100K
Vehicle Theft71.3/100K
Arson35.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Newton has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average54.5°F
1% above US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.0 inches
21% above US avg
Snowfall16.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation525 ft (160 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²)
Population Density1,365/sq mi
Coordinates38.9873°N, 88.1644°W
County FIPS17159
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 18.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 53.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.1%
D 22.6%

Winner: Republican by 53.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.5%
45% below US avg
High School+88.9%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,365/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities56
Restaurants38
Retail Stores60

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.6 min
Work from Home10.5%

Nearby Cities

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