[5] Newton is home to a large coal-fired power plant operated by Illinois Power Generating Co[6] and is close to Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sam Parr State Fish and Wildlife Area.

These include pro baseball pitcher Ross Wolf, Illinois state representative Norman L. Benefiel, folk singer Burl Ives, Illinois state senator Albert Isley, and Irene Hunt, who set the historical novel about the Civil War, Across Five Aprils, in and around Newton.

Newton is located at the geographic center of Jasper County on a bluff overlooking the Embarras River.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Newton has a total area of 2.09 square miles (5.41 km2), all land.

He and his close friend, Sergeant Newton, were patriots that saved American prisoners of war from certain death at the hands of British soldiers.

Lawrence Hollenbock and Samuel Garwood built a saw- and gristmill, and Benjamin Harris opened the first grocery store in Newton.

In 1855, Newton had Miller's Hotel and a small inn known as the American House that is now Yesterday's Pub and Dining.

The community is made up of local businesses, industry, a high school of around 500 students and several organizations and churches.

There are many organizations that are keeping Newton moving forward including the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, JEDI, 100 Women Who Care, Eagle For Life, and many more.