Newton offers rural living and small-town essentials
With a historic town center, rows of old brick buildings and quiet residential streets, Newton offers small-town living in the vast countryside of southeast Illinois. Located about 23 miles east of Effingham, it’s surrounded by farmland, forests and winding rivers. It may be rural, but residents don’t have to leave town for the essentials. “Newton is a rural farm community where everyone knows everyone,” says Realtor Karen Winn, owner of Jasper County Realty Brokers and a longtime Newton resident. “We have good schools, practically no crime, very nice parks, and I can’t even tell you how many churches. We don’t have any big fancy restaurants, but we have lots of nice little ones.”
Historic town square with restaurants, shops and a courthouse
Newton’s town square is a walkable, community plaza brimming with historic storefronts. The Jasper County Courthouse is at the center, an ornate brick structure built in 1876. “Every storefront is full, and if something opens up, it gets gobbled up really quickly. It stays busy,” Winn says. It’s home to local restaurants like Joe’s Italian Foods & Pizza, which has been family-owned and operated since 1998, and West Side Lounge, a local pub with a pool table. There’s also a men’s clothing store, a florist, a hardware store and a public library. The rest of the city’s restaurants and shops are based around East Jourdan Street. Puerto Vallarta Restaurant is a local mainstay for Mexican cuisine, while Parklanes offers bowling, beer and American fare. Groceries and everyday goods are found at Newton Foods and Dollar General. Locals can catch the latest Hollywood flick at The Drive ‘n Theatre, a historic drive-in built in 1953 and one of only 10 in the state.
Older homes range from fixer-uppers to upgraded classics
Newton is laid out on a traditional, flat street grid lined with mature trees and sidewalks. The town offers a mix of early and mid-20th-century homes, including many ranch-style homes, cottages and Traditional homes. Some older houses need sprucing, while others have been lovingly maintained and upgraded. Lots are typically large, offering plenty of privacy and space for gardens. Farm properties and rural homes found further out from the town center. Prices range from around $50,000 to $375,000 depending on size, age and condition.
Outdoor fun includes disc golf, baseball and swimming
Peterson Park is a highlight for residents who want to enjoy the outdoors. Situated near the banks of the Embarras River, it features basketball courts, tennis courts, a disc golf course, a playground and plenty of open space for walking and picnicking. It’s also home to the Newton Aquatic Center, a public swimming pool that opened in 2010 with a waterslide, lap pool and diving area. “Both the park and the aquatic center are very popular. It’s got amenities for everyone,” Winn says. Jasper County Boys & Girls Park has several baseball diamonds and hosts local youth baseball and softball leagues. Residents can head about 4 miles north of town to Sam Parr State Park for more outdoor recreation. With over 1,200 acres of forestland and a lake, it’s a popular spot for hiking, fishing, hunting, camping and canoeing.
Local schools earn solid ratings and have high graduation rates
Students attend well-rated schools in the Jasper County Community Unit School District 1, beginning with Newton Elementary School and Jasper County Junior High School, which earn B ratings from Niche. The last four years can be spent at Newton Community High School, which gets a B-minus. The high school has a 94% graduation rate, higher than the statewide average of 87%. Just over half of graduates go on to a two- or four-year college.
Route 33 connects Newton to nearby towns
State Route 33 passes through Newton, offering a direct route to Effingham, the largest city in the area. Robinson, a small town of around 7,100 residents, is about 24 miles east. Public transportation is limited, so locals will need a car to get around. Those in need of medical care will need to travel about 40 miles to Clay County Hospital. Frequent flyers can catch a domestic flight from Effingham County Regional Airport, about 25 miles away.
