Newton is defined by its rural lifestyle and highway access
Newton is a small rural community that sits between Forest , about 18 miles west, and Meridian , about 29 miles east. The city is surrounded by thick trees, with train tracks, multiple highways and the Potterchitto Creek cutting through the area. “It’s a nice, quiet country town. Most of everybody is from the area originally. They might have moved from there and are now looking to come back home,” says Adam Moore, a real estate broker with Pursuit Properties, who has about five years of experience.
Older, single-family homes on large lots
Most homes in Newton are lined along residential streets and surrounded by thick trees – the farther they are from Main Street, the larger the lots get. “It’s almost all single-family, rural homes on acreage. Most of them are older,” Moore says. Traditional single-story homes and bungalows are common. Some are Victorian, from the 1900s to 1930s, with simple exteriors. Others have Craftsman features such as a steep roof, front gables and a porch, and were built from the 1950s to the 1980s. Ranch-style homes are also popular, and there are a handful of manufactured homes sitting on acres of land. Prices range from $45,000 to $170,000. Multistory Victorian homes and traditional farmhouses exist in the area, but are rarely found on the market.
Trains can be heard from many homes as nearby tracks run through the area. The area may experience high winds, which can sometimes be tornadoes, which may result in property damage – something homebuyers should be aware of with the area’s surrounding trees.
Retail and restaurants are found along MS 15 and in Meridian
Newton’s main commercial area is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 80 and Mississippi Highway 15. There are two auto parts stores, a furniture store and Family Dollar. Zack Garvin’s is a steakhouse that also serves seafood dishes. Down the street, B & A Country Platter specializes in southern comfort food. A Walmart Supercenter is found farther north on MS 15. G-Daddy’s is another locally owned restaurant in the area serving pizza and ice cream. Fast-food eateries include Hardee’s and McDonald’s. The closest grocery store to Newton is Big G Supermarket, which is about 9 miles north in Decatur.
According to Moore, most residents will head into Meridian or visit Jackson for their shopping needs. Downtown Meridian has clothing stores, gift shops and specialty stores. There are also dozens of restaurants, bars and breweries. Uptown Meridian is a shopping mall in the area with national brands, surrounded by chain eateries.
Newton’s city park and nearby recreational areas
Newton Park is one of the city’s main green spaces, outfitted with playground equipment, picnic tables, two baseball fields and two basketball courts. Additional baseball diamonds are found farther north along Eastside Drive – one of which is surrounded by a walking track. About 5 miles east is the Newton Country Club, which has a private, 18-hole golf course.
The Turkey Creek Water Park Campground is around 8 miles north of the city and has a lake with a sandy beach area for swimming, fishing and boating. In addition to the camp sites, the area has a playground and picnic area. To the west, Bienville National Forest covers central Mississippi with multiple woodland trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. There are also three conservation areas in the forest, including the Tallahala Wildlife Management Area.
Getting educated in Newton public schools
Children living in the city can attend schools in the Newton Municipal School District. Newton Elementary School earns a C grade from Niche, while N.H. Pilate Middle School receives a C-plus. From there, students head to the B-rated Newton High School, which offers a JROTC program as part of its larger Military Star Program.
Using highway systems to navigate in and out of Newton
When it comes to travel, Newton operates as a crossroads for drivers, with multiple major routes cutting through the city. Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 80 are both used to go east to Meridian and, in the west, both Forest and Jackson. Mississippi Highway 15 leads north to Decatur and south to Laurel . Lackey Memorial Hospital is the closest general hospital to Newton, about 19 miles west in Forest. The Meridian Regional Airport provides United flights, roughly 28 miles away.
Annual events bring the community together
Newton’s community puts on a handful of events throughout the year. The Loose Caboose Arts and Crafts Festival, in April, includes a 5K race, car show, carnival games and dance performances. Patrons can shop at a selection of craft and food vendors. In December, there's a Christmas Parade that travels down Main Street. The event culminates with the annual tree-lighting ceremony.
