The seat of Catawba County, 40 miles from Charlotte
Newton, a community of about 13,000 people in North Carolina’s foothills, is a small city with a growing population. It first established itself as a rural manufacturing center for furniture and cloth through the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, Newton still has industry, but its location 40 miles northwest of Charlotte and its well-rated schools have also attracted new families and commuters in recent years. “We’re building new housing to attract new, young families, but you’ve also got people who have been Newtonites their whole life,” says Mary Yount, Newton’s downtown development director.
The small town of Newton is just 40 miles from Charlotte.
Newton is a small town, many home types can be found for your needs.
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Suburban homes and several new developments
The median home price in Newton is $240,000, lower than the national median. Homebuyers have their pick of size and style, with choices ranging from bungalows built in the late 1800s to ranch-style homes constructed after World War II and townhouses built in the 2020s. Lots farther from downtown tend to be larger. “We’ve got probably six or eight new developments going up around the city,” Yount says.
A single family home is just outside of Downtown Newton.
A row of traditional, single family homes in Newton.
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Small businesses and reinvestment in downtown Newton
Downtown Newton has several locally owned hangouts, such as the Novel Taproom brewery and The Hen & Egg breakfast restaurant. Shops downtown also include gift and clothing boutiques, antique stores, jewelers and more. “Downtown is currently under some revitalization. This has been part of the master plan since 2016, and we’re about to finish the last phase,” Yount says. “The vision is always to have your downtown as the central hub for activity, and we’re getting there.” The downtown upgrades have included new water and sewer pipes, wider sidewalks and street beautification. Just west of downtown, there are more businesses along Northwest Boulevard.
B-52s American Bar & Grill is a local favorite in Downtown Newton.
The Downtown area of Newton is still under construction but looks great so far.
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The Foothills Folk Art Festival and more downtown happenings
The Old Post Office Playhouse and the Newton Performing Arts Center hold ticketed events downtown. The playhouse is in a converted, 100-year-old post office in Courthouse Square that holds community theater performances. “If you’re a season ticket holder, you pick up your tickets from a post office mailbox before your first play, which is an homage to the building’s roots,” Yount says. Just across the street, the Catawba County Museum of History occupies the old Catawba County Courthouse, and the Frank & Sue Jones Amphitheatre hosts free summer concerts. Each year in May, the Foothills Folk Art Festival welcomes thousands of people from around the region to downtown Newton. The event includes live music, a beer garden, street vendors and displays from local artists. Later in the summer, August's weeklong Soldiers Reunion honors veterans with celebrations that include a parade, beauty pageants, a gospel concert and a fish fry.
A variety of athletic facilities, plus trails at Jacob Fork Park
Newton’s parks and recreation department manages seven parks and two recreation centers. Jacob Fork Park has 100 acres of trails through the woods, a kayak launch and softball fields, while Northside/Broyhill Park's athletic facilities include lighted tennis courts, soccer fields and a basketball court. Families can also cool off at the pool with waterslides and a splashpad at the rec center downtown. The area experiences warm summers and cool winters, though Newton’s elevation of about 1,000 feet and nearby mountains create a slightly milder climate compared to the Piedmont.
As the weather gets better, residents will pack this basketball court in Newton.
Residents of Newton enjoy getting outside for activities.
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Local employers and commuting to Charlotte on Highway 16
As the seat of Catawba County, Newton is home to the courthouse, detention facility and other county offices. The city is also home to several manufacturers, including Bassett Furniture and Flowers Baking Co., as well as a Target distribution center. Outside of local jobs, many residents commute to Charlotte, 40 miles southeast. Commuters can reach the city via Highway 16, which recently underwent expansion and widening. “That travel time has been reduced to about 45 minutes on Highway 16,” Yount says. Drivers can also take U.S. 321 to Charlotte from the more rural western side of Newton. Catawba Valley Medical Center is about 5 miles north, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport is about 40 miles south. Newton is largely car-dependent, though Greenway Public Transportation services some bus routes to locations like the hospital, the county courthouse and Walmart.
Highway 16 is a busy highway that runs right through Newton.
Bassett Furniture is a major employer in the Newton area.
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College prep in a highly rated school district
Newton Conover City Schools have an overall A-minus grade from Niche. The district has three elementary schools that funnel into the B-plus-rated Newton-Conover Middle School and B-rated Newton-Conover High School. Students can also apply to attend the A-rated Discovery High School, a college-prep magnet school with a rigorous honors and Advanced Placement curriculum.
Show some school spirit on the rock in front of Newton-Conover Middle School.
The entrance to Newton-Conover High School,
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Property crimes at a 10-year low
According to FBI statistics, the number of violent crimes in Newton increased from 31 incidents in 2022 to 51 in 2023, while the number of property crimes hit a 10-year low in 2023.
Written By
Faith Wakefield
Photography Contributed By
Scott Brotherton
Video By
Edward Pokoj
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Zanthia Hastings,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Newton, NC sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Newton, NC over the last 12 months is $250,250, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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