With a population of 15,000, Newton is the seat and largest city in Jasper County. Its location 35 miles east of Des Moines, the capital of Iowa, and just off Interstate 80, places Newton in a strategic position for economic growth today. However, it was its position along the Rock Island Railroad which initially brought prosperity to this predominantly farm community. The railroad served not only the farms, but also the flourishing lumber mills of the late 19th century, the many manufacturers of farm implements, and most importantly the producers of washing machines.

Although there have been several washing machine manufacturers in Newton, it is the Maytag Corporation which prospered and dominated Newton's economic development. This Fortune 500 company, founded in 1893 by Fred Maytag, is an international, four-billion dollar company with 20,000 employees in North America and 4,000 in China. It produces high quality washing machines and dryers, as well as dishwashers, refrigerators and stoves. In 1941 Fred Maytag II established Maytag Dairy Farms which produces a top quality Blue Cheese using a special process developed by Iowa State University.

The DMACC Newton Polytechnic Campus was created in 1992, the result of a unique collaboration involving DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College), Iowa State University, the City of Newton, the Newton Community School District, and Maytag. DMACC Newton offers programs ranging from an alternative high school to adult continuing education to graduate courses in engineering. The facility also houses a large conference center and includes a 325-seat auditorium and large and small meeting rooms.

In 1992 the city of Newton also opened the doors of its new, innovative public library. It was designed to accommodate the diverse services expected of a modern library: public access to computers and laser printers; access to the Internet; and a computerized information system. Its collection of books, audio books, periodicals, videos, audio cassettes, and CD-ROMs is approximately 80,000.

Newton has a wide range of recreational facilities, including a number of parks and a large, modern YMCA Complex. The Newton YMCA offers exercise classes, sponsors sports and art activities for adults and youth and has a large swimming pool.