Founded in 1888 by Simon Newman, the city is a largely agricultural community, known for its annual Fall Festival.

In 1862, the young Jew decided to emigrate to California, where his sister Fanny Wangenheim had already lived.

Initially speaking only German and Hebrew, then he learned English and translated his family name to Newman.

[4] Newman is located at 37°18′54″N 121°1′21″W / 37.31500°N 121.02250°W / 37.31500; -121.02250 (37.315038, −121.022476)[5] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2), all of it land.

Newman is located on California State Route 33 between the towns of Gustine and Crows Landing.

Newman has a semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSh) with Mediterranean influences, characterized by hot, dry summers and cool winters.

At the 2000 census there were 7,093 people in 2,079 households, including 1,700 families in the city.

In the California State Legislature, Newman is in the 4th Senate District, represented by Republican Marie Alvarado-Gil, and the 22nd Assembly District, represented by Republican Juan Alanis.

[12] The city is under a mandate from the county's Local Agency Formation Commission to adopt an agricultural land preservation strategy.

The city could approve an urban growth limit policy that would establish the sphere of influence boundary lasting for 25 years.