newton county
- Population: 76,144
- Property tax per $1,000: $30.61
- Average cost of resale homes: $114,900
- Average cost of new homes: $139,800
- Tax Commissioner: 770-784-2020
- On the web at: newtonchamber.com
Quality of life is high on the list of priorities in Newton County. This metro area county combines an atmosphere of growing economy, low unemployment, new schools, thriving downtown and business districts, and just enough distance from metro Atlanta to remain rural. All of these factors have combined to make Newton one of the area's fastest growing counties.
An act of the Georgia Central Assembly in 1821 named Newton a certified county in honor of Sgt. John Newton, a revolutionary War hero. The railroad was one of the area's first conduits of prosperity, bringing industry along the rails in the mid-1840s and helping the county seat of Covington become a thriving regional business and agricultural center.
Today, the local industry utilizes one of Newton's many industrial parks as a base of operations that produces a range of products. With its own airport, interstate access and rail service, the area is a primary hub for local business. Newton County is so business- friendly that is currently home to eight Fortune 500 companies. More that $703 million in assets are held by county's three main financial institutions - a staggering number when one compares it to other counties of comparable size in Georgia.
The main town in Newton County is Covington, which is known for it historical preservation and rural charm. Covington has been used as a backdrop for several feature films and one of the longest running television series, In the Heat of the Night. Local opportunities for recreation include enjoying the area's lakes and rivers or hiking trails and using the county's many golf courses.
Education
Public Schools
newtoncountyschools.org
Board of Education
770-787-1330
Elementary schools 12
Middle schools 4
High schools 2
Pupil/Teacher ratio avg. 15:1
Per-pupil expenditures: $5,674
School and bus assignment information: 770-784-2909
Avg SAT Scores
Cherokee Co. listed here instead of Newton
Colleges & Universities
Oxford College of Emory University
100 Hamill Street
Oxford, GA 30054-1418
770-784-8888
emory.edu/OXFORD
DeKalb Technical College
Covington-Newton Campus
16200 Alcovy-Jersey Road
Covington, GA 30014
770-786-9522
Medical
Ambulance Service/Emergency: 911
Poison: 911
Newton County Fire: 911
Newton County Police: 911
Rescue: 911
Newton General Hospital
5126 Hospital Drive
Covington, GA 30209
770-786-7053
Utilities
Electricity
City of Covington
2194 Emory Street
Covington, GA 30014
770-385-2049
Georgia Power
888-660-5890
Deposit: $22
georgiapower.com
Gas
For information on establishing your gas connection and the deregulation of the natural gas market in Georgia with a listing of the
residential gas providers, see our utility connection guide.
Telephone
BellSouth
800-356-3094
bellsouth.com
Water
Newton County Water and Sewage Authority 770-385-2049
City of Covington 770-385-2049
Garbage
City of Covington 770-385-2049
Cable
Covington Cable
2194 Emory Street
Covington, GA 30014
770-385-2044
Parks
Newton County Park 770-787-6670
Newton County Recreation Commission at Turner Lake Complex
6185 Turner Lake Rd.
Covington, GA 30014
770-786-4373
Libraries
Porter Memorial Library
7115 Floyd Street NE
Covington, GA 30014
770-786-4373
Covington Post Office
2131 Stallings Street NW
Covington, GA 30014
770-786-2707
Oxford Post Office
907 Emory Street
Oxford, GA 30054
770-786-4253
Newspaper
Newton Citizen
1140 Reynolds Street
Covington, GA 30014
770-787-7303 * newtoncitizen.com
Car Tag & License
Vehicle Tag Location
1105 Usher Street
Covington, GA 30014
770-784-2020
Driver's License
8134 Geiger Street
Covington, GA 30014
678-413-8400
Miscellaneous
Voter Registration
For information: 770-784-2055
Newton County Chamber of Commerce
2101 Clark Street
Covington, GA 30014
770-786-7510
newtonchamber.com
