As of the 2010 census, its population was 13,969 and it contained 6,768 housing units.

[2] The first sale of land in this area was in 1824 to Obadiah Le Neve, who settled here just before Christmas of that year.

It was named for Squire James Newell, the first Justice of the Peace for the area.

[2] The township contains much of Lake Vermilion.

The township contains these cemeteries: Bryley, Farmers Chapel, Huffman, Lamb, Leonard, Rose, Springhill, Sunset Memorial and Walnut Corner.