RANK #842 / 996 · POP 113,298 · GA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.9%
Newton County, Georgia, east of Atlanta along Interstate 20, is known for its blend of small-town charm and natural beauty. Covington, the county seat, features a historic square that has served as a backdrop for numerous television shows and films, earning it the nickname "Hollywood of the South." The county offers extensive outdoor recreation, with three rivers and sizable lakes providing opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking, and kayaking. Places like Factory Shoals Park along the Alcovy River and Lake Varner at the Cornish Creek Reservoir provide natural settings for residents to enjoy. Commuting to Atlanta is common, and programs like Georgia Commute Options assist residents with alternative transportation.
Life in Newton County often appeals to families and those seeking a quieter pace within reach of a major city. The Newton County School System serves communities like Covington, Mansfield, Newborn, Oxford, and Porterdale, with public schools generally rated above average. The local economy is diversifying, with significant investment in technology sectors, including data centers. The county also maintains an agricultural presence, with the UGA Extension Office supporting the industry. Efforts are underway to balance growth with the preservation of natural resources and a focus on enhancing the overall quality of life for residents.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Gregory Road Data Center Campus
Universal Planning LLC (proposed)
|
$5,700M | Proposed |
|
Newton County Technology Park (TPA Group)
TPA Group (proposed)
|
$5,000M | Proposed |
|
Meta (formerly Facebook) Stanton Springs Data Center Expansion
Meta
|
$1,000M | Under Construction |
|
AWS Covington Data Center & Water Facility
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Green Power EMC Solar Farm
Green Power EMC / Snapping Shoals EMC
|
$40M | Planned |
|
Archer Aviation eVTOL Manufacturing Facility
Archer Aviation
|
— | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Newton County has a Boom Town Index score of 16/100, ranking #842 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +9.3% and a median household income of $70,732, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Newton County is $200,300 with median rent at $1,264/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3531, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +9.3%. Home values changed -2.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.99% of Newton County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.