Newton at a glance
For more detailed information see the Community Profile links to the left.

LOCATION

County­
Harvey County established in 1872. Named in honor of Kansas Governor James M. Harvey (served 1869-1873).

540 square miles

18 miles wide in its north-south direction, 30 miles wide in its east-west direction

Elevation averages 1,450 feet above sea level

Designated as part of the Wichita Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Incorporated towns are: Newton, Burrton, Halstead, Hesston, North Newton, Sedgwick, Walton

Topography: Relatively flat with a gentle slope to the south-east

CITY
Newton, established in 1871. Named by a group of Santa Fe Railroad stockholders after their hometown of Newton Massachusetts.

6,148 acres within City limits
Elevation is I,452 feet above sea level
Local coordinates are N38° 2 minutes by W97° 22 minutes

CLIMATE
Average daily temperature: January 39°F - April 59°F - July 95°F - October 59°F Average days of sunshine is 237. Average annual rainfall is 30 inches. Average annual snowfall is 15 inches. Average annual relative humidity at noon is 55%,. Prevailing wind is from the south

TRANSPORTATION
Interstate - 135, US Highways 5O and 81, Kansas SH 15 and 196 Newton is served by Amtrak Passenger Service. Schedule information- 800-872-7245.

Railroads include Union Pacific and the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe railroads.

City served by municipal/county airport. Runway length 7,002 ft, lighted, asphalt/concrete.
Newton City County Airport
810 N. Oliver
Fuel/Hangars/Maintenance- (316) 284-6084
Airport Manager- (316) 284-6089
1(800) 899-2485
(Email manager@newtonairport.com for more information)

Nearest commercial airport located in Wichita (about 35 minutes) served by major airlines

HIGHWAY MILES FROM NEWTON TO VARIOUS CITIES

TAXES

Mill Levy Rate for City of Newton for property in Harvey County - 1997 (per $1,000 of assessed valuation)

City-$50.288. School-$54.143; County-$28.552; State-$1,500;

Total-$134.664. Residential property is assessed at 11.5% of fair market value

Sales Tax Rate in Newton/Harvey County-6.3%

POPULATION PROFILE
City Population 2000-17,190; 1990-16,700; 1980-16,332; 1970-15,439; 1960-14,877.

County Population: 2000-32,869; 1990-31,028; 1980-30,531; 1970-27,236; 1960-25,865.

Harvey County, median age: 1997-36.0 years of age; estimated number households: 1997-11,912; average household size is 2.56 persons; average family size is 3.1 persons.

MEDIA
Newspaper: The Newton Kansan (Monday through Saturday).

Radio Stations: KJRG LU (religious).

Television: KSNW Channel 3, Wichita (NBC); KPTS Channel 8 Hutchinson (PBS); KAKE Channel 10, Wichita (ABC); KWCH Channel 12, Wichita (CBS); KSAS Channel 24 Wichita (FOX); Cox Cable TV available.

GOVERNMENT
County - Courthouse located in Newton.

Board of Commissioners, elected to 4-year terms meet weekly.

Full-Time County Administrator, County Attorney and two District Court Judges.
Sheriff Department, consists of 9 employees.
County-wide comprehensive zoning plan in place.
City - Commission/Manager form of government elected to 4 year terms.
Full-time fire department with 33 employees.
City fire insurance class rating - 4.
Fire insurance rating within a 5-mile radius of Newton - 4-9.
Full-time police department with 26 full-time employees and 10 reserve officers.