Small-town Iowa, a straight shot east of the Des Moines metro
Newton transitioned from coal mining to manufacturing in the 20th century, with one home-grown company keeping the economy spinning: the Maytag Corporation, known for its washing machines. "The Maytag family basically built the town," says Evan Corey, Newton resident and co-owner of Real Estate Solutions in the downtown square. "They owned a lot of different things like parks and buildings. The Fred Maytag Bowl is where the high schoolers graduate."
Though Maytag and its jobs officially departed from the city in 2007, Newton worked hard to bounce back, quickly diversifying and maintaining a steady population throughout the 2010s. TPI Composites – which manufactures wind turbine blades – is the latest company to bring jobs to Newton, among other industrial centers that keep it self-sufficient. "It's a smaller town feel, the taxes are lower, and in general, the cost of living is a lot lower," Corey says. "But it's also a quick commute on the interstate to Des Moines."
The Fred Maytag Bowl at Maytag Park is one of many pieces of Newton's founding legacy.
The Maytag Company built Newton into what it is today, before leaving in 2007.
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City grants encourage new home developments in Newton
Newton’s median home price is about $180,000 – less than half the median value nationwide and lower than Des Moines and its satellite cities. Centrally located bungalows and traditional-style homes with detached garages are surrounded by streets of midcentury ranch-style and split-level homes. Larger homes built in the 2000s are on the outer corners alongside blank slates for new development. The Newton Housing Initiative has awarded $10,000 cash incentives for new construction housing above a certain price threshold since 2014. The city also introduced a monthly stormwater utility in 2021 to fund upgrades to its stormwater system. Projects aim to prevent sewer backups and other issues during flooding from heavy rain and overflow from Cherry Creek on the west side.
Newton continues to grow with new developments of modern Contemporary housing.
Newton's pedigree can be seen in its historic houses, including old American Foursquares.
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Newton commerce, from the Maytag era to the present day
The Bedford limestone Jasper County Courthouse has anchored the Newton Downtown Historic District since 1911. Surrounding buildings swapped from Victorian to midcentury facades thanks to investments from Maytag, a name still found on historic structures like a hotel-turned-apartment complex. "It's a typical small-town downtown, with all kinds of different pubs, restaurants and bars," Corey says. The former factory district directly northwest of the square is now a hub for county offices and business parks. Most chain or fast-casual restaurants and retailers are accessible from U.S. Route 6, which runs east to west through town. Big-box names include Walmart, Hy-Vee, Fareway Meat & Grocery and, as of 2024, Aldi. For other major retailers like Target, shoppers head west to Des Moines area suburbs.
The Jasper County Courthouse sits at the center of Newton's historic town square.
The Maytag legacy can be seen throughout Newton.
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Education for Newton Cardinals and college students
The Newton Community School District covers most of the city and scores a B-minus from Niche. Organizations like the Newton Chamber of Commerce organize annual events supporting the student base, and “Go Cards!” is a common mantra seen on business windows and bulletin boards. Legacy Plaza – Maytag’s former corporate headquarters – now houses the Newton branch of Des Moines Area Community College.
Newton's Berg Middle School cheers on their local Newton Cardinals.
Newton students can attend a local branch of the Des Moines Area Community College.
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Summertime at Maytag Park
Among Newton's five city parks is Maytag Park, home to the city's public pool and the Fred Maytag Bowl, a half-spherical bandshell with bench seating. Westwood Golf Course's 18-hole greenway is on the far west end of the city; to the far east lies 6 acres of landscaping at Newton Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Plant life climbs umbrella-shaped trellises, pollinates a butterfly bed and enshrouds a gazebo and bow bridge. The city is also raising funds for a Legacy Plaza Greenspace initiative to add a pavilion, grassy fields and public art surrounding DMACC's Newton campus.
Newton residents can play a round of 18 at the Westwood Golf Course on the city's west side.
Newton's arboretum and botanical gardens are charming, regardless the time of year.
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Nascar races and drive-in double features
Picnic blankets and folding chairs crowd the lawn ahead of live music during the Maytag Bowl Summer Concert Series. Newton is also home to Iowa Speedway, which hosts Nascar and IndyCar races. "It's out of the way enough that you can't hear it in the residential areas," Corey says. Valle Drive-In – the oldest of Iowa's four remaining drive-ins – plays double features and first-run movies from April through October.
The Iowa Speedway in Newton draws Nascar and IndyCar fans from across the midwest .
Newton residents can enjoy an old fashioned drive in movie at the Valle Drive In.
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A straight shot into the Des Moines metro area
Those who don’t work in Newton may commute 34 miles on Interstate 80 to downtown Des Moines or exit onto Interstate 35 or 235 to reach employers in Ankeny and West Des Moines. The 26-mile Chichaqua Valley Trail connects Jasper County cyclists to the metro area. MercyOne Newton Medical Center and QuickVisit Urgent Care are local, though Des Moines International Airport is 40 miles away.
Crime and wind event statistics in Newton
Iowa Department of Public Safety data shows that property crimes dipped by 41% between 2019 and 2023, while crimes against people increased by about 26%. Newton's most recent tornado touchdown was a category EF-4 tornado in March 2022 that damaged the drive-in theater and other amenities. Outdoor warning sirens sound for three minutes during testing on the first Wednesday morning of each month. Jasper County Emergency Management also sponsors free Storm Spotter training at the DMACC Newton campus.
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