1st Advantage MortgageThe median Newton County household earns $48,986, and 16% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Newton County by the numbers
- Household income in Newton County
- What it costs to live in Newton County
- Jobs and commutes in Newton County
- Places inside Newton County
- Regional comparison for Newton County
- Room for a loan payment in Newton County
- Before borrowing in Newton County
- More Newton County figures
- A Newton County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Arkansas
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Newton County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Newton County's population at 7,112; only 69 of Arkansas's 75 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 821 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 9 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Newton County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Jasper is the biggest of its 6 Census places, at roughly 453 people (6% of the county total). Because Newton County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Household income in Newton County
Newton County households have a median income of $48,986 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 48th of 75 in Arkansas.
| Households earning | Newton County | +/- vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.1% | +4.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.2% | +1.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.0% | -1.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.7% | -4.0 pts |
About 33% of households earn under $35,000, while 23% clear $100,000. Census counts 15.9% of Newton County residents in poverty, against 16.0% across Arkansas. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
What it costs to live in Newton County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $617 in Newton County versus $947 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 54% of renter households here. Home values center on $169,300, or 3.5 years of median income. 77% of Newton County households own their home and 23% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1983.
| Measure | Newton County | Arkansas | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $617/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $169,300 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 22% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Jobs and commutes in Newton County
The biggest employer of Newton County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 18% of workers, followed by retail trade (17%). Construction stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.1% in Newton County. Long commutes are common here: 27% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 3.0% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Newton County | Gap to Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.0% | -6.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 16.7% | +3.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.5% | +1.8 pts |
| Construction | 14.1% | +6.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 10.6% | +4.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -0.4 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Places inside Newton County
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 19% of Newton County residents live in one of the 6. Live in one of these Newton County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper | city | 453 | $30,929 | $723 | 7 mi |
| Western Grove | town | 438 | $38,365 | $570 | 20 mi |
| Wayton | CDP | 187 | $58,125 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Deer | CDP | 113 | $46,719 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Ponca | CDP | 73 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Mount Judea | CDP | 61 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
Regional comparison for Newton County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Newton County's, from 27 to 35 miles away. Income ranges from $44,426 in Searcy County to $57,344 in Pope County; 4 of these neighbors top Newton County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton County | - | $48,986 | $617/mo | 77% |
| Johnson County, AR | 27 mi | $45,995 | $728/mo | 74% |
| Boone County, AR | 28 mi | $55,143 | $733/mo | 71% |
| Searcy County, AR | 29 mi | $44,426 | $606/mo | 79% |
| Madison County, AR | 29 mi | $56,798 | $729/mo | 80% |
| Pope County, AR | 33 mi | $57,344 | $859/mo | 70% |
| Carroll County, AR | 35 mi | $54,230 | $856/mo | 77% |
Room for a loan payment in Newton County
How much room does a median Newton County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $48,986 a year is $4,082 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $617, or 15 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 35% ceiling, about $812 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 45% cap, $1,837 total minus rent leaves $1,220
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Before borrowing in Newton County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Newton County borrowers.
- Vehicle repairs. 27% of Newton County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 15% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Older households. A 49.9 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Renters under pressure. When 54% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
More Newton County figures
Degree holders: 16% of adults over 25. About 7% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Newton County | Arkansas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.9 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.7% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.6% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.5% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.0% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 16.1% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.9% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.1% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Newton County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 19.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 30.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 15.4% |
| 60+ min | 11.6% |
A Newton County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Arkansas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Checking a lender's license in Arkansas
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Newton County borrowers answers to the Arkansas State Bank Department. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Arkansas guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Arkansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Newton County household make?
About $48,986 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 19% below the Arkansas median.
How does Newton County rent compare with Arkansas?
$617 locally versus $947 for the state, 35% below.
What are the biggest places in Newton County?
By population: Jasper, Western Grove, Wayton, Deer, Ponca. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Will a Newton County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Arkansas as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who regulates personal lenders for Newton County residents?
The Arkansas State Bank Department licenses consumer lenders in Arkansas; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.