Newton is a city in Baker County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 602. The city is the county seat of Baker County.

History

Newton was founded in 1837. That same year, the seat of Baker County was transferred to Newton from Byron. There are several properties in Newton listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Baker County Courthouse (Georgia), Notchaway Baptist Church and Cemetery, and Pine Bloom Plantation.

Geography

Newton is located at 31.31667°N, -84.33944°W (31.316804, -84.339549). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.8 km2, of which 7.5 km2 is land and 0.3 km2, or 3.50%, is water.

Demographics

2020 census

2000 census

According to the census of 2000, there were 851 people, 320 households, and 228 families residing in the city. The population density was 292.7 PD/sqmi. There were 346 housing units at an average density of 119.0 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 43.60% White, 53.94% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.94% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.00% of the population. By 2020, its population declined to 602.

Education

There is one K-12 school building for the Baker County School System. It is located on State Route 37 and was named Baker County Elementary/Middle School in 2001. The old school building that housed the students near the courthouse was built in the late 1960s and named East Baker School. It served the local black population during segregation, and now houses the East Baker Historical Society and 21st Century Community Corporation. The high school was returned to Newton for the 2007–2008 school year. From 1980 to 2007, the high school students traveled from Newton to Camilla for high school, formerly Mitchell-Baker High School. The old building is now used for the Baker County Headstart Center. The new gym for Baker County Schools was expected to be completed in 2009.

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