About Newton County

Newton in a NutshellAerial l view of Downtown Covington

Newton County is a 279-square-mile area east of Atlanta on Interstate 20 in north central Georgia. According to the United States Census Bureau's 2020 Census, Newton County has a population of 112,483.

The county seat is Covington, one of five municipalities located entirely within Newton County. The others are Porterdale, Mansfield, Newborn and Oxford. The city of Social Circle is located partially in Newton County and in neighboring Walton County.

Newton is also home to the Covington Municipal Airport and has I-20 running through it connecting the area with Atlanta and the port of Savannah.

National Register of Historic Places Sites

Newton County, named after Sergeant John Newton of the American Revolutionary War, was created on December 24, 1821. It has 13 placesBike riding across bridgelisted on the National Register of Historic Places:

  • Brick Store – Highway 278 Old Social Circle Road in Covington
  • Burge Club – Near Georgia 142, Cook Road, Morehouse Road and Sewell Road in Newborn
  • Covington Historic District – Downtown Covington
  • Covington Mills and Mill Village Historic District – Wheat, Collins and Lott Streets in Covington
  • Floyd Street Historic District – Floyd Street from Elm Street to west of Sockwell Street in Covington
  • Newborn Historic District – Newborn
  • Newton County Historic Courthouse – On the Covington Square
  • North Covington Historic District – North Emory and Odum Streets in Covington
  • Orna Villa – 1008 Emory Street Oxford
  • Oxford Historic District – around Wesley Street in Oxford
  • Porterdale Historic District – Porterdale North of Elm Street
  • Salem Camp Ground – 3940 Salem Road, Covington
  • Starrsville Historic District – Junction of Georgia 213, Old Starsville and Dixie Roads

Other areas of interest within Newton County are the Georgia FFA / FCLA Club, Burt Adams Scout Camp and the Cricket Frog Trail.

Natural Beauty in Newton County

Samples of the natural beauty of the region include three rivers: the Alcovy, Yellow and South Rivers come together at Lake Jackson and are the head waters for the Ocmulgee River. Verdant and picturesque farms; Lake Varner, one of the best fishing reservoirs in Georgia; and Factory Shoals Park with beautiful shoals, camping, and the historic ruins of one of the original mill village. Residents and visitors can also explore the area by foot or bicycle thanks to the trail system, including the Cricket Frog Trail, which runs along the old railroad line through Newton County.

Filming in NewtonThe Bell Tower

Newton County has become known for filming as of late with production on several movies and television shows taking place here, including "The Dukes of Hazzard,' "In the Heat of the Night," "The Vampire Diaries," "Remember the Titans," "My Cousin Vinny", "Selma" and "Sweet Magnolias."

Manufacturing Companies

Newton County is also home to manufacturing companies such as Nisshinbo, FiberVisions, Bridgestone, Michilen, SKC, General Mills and Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Newton County is also home to a Facebook data center and will have a Rivian Electric Vehicle plant just outside its boarders.

Schools

Newton County School System has 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, three high schools and a college and career academy. Located within Newton County is Oxford College of Emory University, Georgia State’s Newton Perimeter campus amd Georgia Piedmont Technical College.

Newton County boasts diverse natural, cultural, and historic resources within 35 miles of Atlanta. Each of Newton’s five municipalities has a distinct personality, all with southern, small town charm.

Culturally, Newton County is blessed with beautiful antebellum architecture, tree lined streets, a vibrant town square and a courthouse constructed in the Second Empire Style, said by some to be one of the most beautiful in the state; the symbol and “heart” of the county.

Airport

With immediate access to Interstate 20 from the majority of our Industrial Parks, you have access to the ports, all the southeastern states and the world via Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, all within a day.