It developed within the historic townland of Ballygarny (Irish: Baile Ó gCearnaigh)[2] (now Mount Kennedy Demesne), although all that remains is a motte where a church, graveyard and a castle or tower house once stood just 0.85 km (0.53 mi) north of the town.

[5] Between the 2011 and 2016 census, the population of the town increased by 17.6% (from 2,410 to 2,835 inhabitants), one of the highest growth rates in County Wicklow on the period.

[citation needed] The headquarters of Coillte, the Irish Forestry Board, are situated in the village forest.

The majority of secondary school students travel to the nearby Coláiste Chraobh Abhann in neighbouring Kilcoole.

[citation needed] The area is served by the 184 bus route operated by Go-Ahead Ireland connecting the town with Kilpedder, Greystones and Bray.

Newtown GAA Club[11] plays in the colours Black and White, leading to some fans to dub them "The Magpies".

[citation needed] Druids Glen Golf Resort, which hosted the Irish open from 1996 to 1999, is located about a kilometre east of Newtown.

Glen Mill Golf Club is located to the south of Newtown, past Killadreenan.

[20][21][22] In March 2024, following a number of anti-immigration protests elsewhere in Ireland, locals and other activists began picketing at River Lodge House, a vacant Health Service Executive property on the outskirts of the village, at which works were planned to provide accommodation for international protection applicants.

[24] A fire was started and clashes broke out, and a number of people were sprayed with CS gas.