Newton Falls, Ohio

Newton Falls is a city located within Newton Township in Trumbull County, Ohio, United States. The population was 4,795 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Newton Falls, Ohio
Village(edit conflict)
Motto(s): 
"Working toward a better tomorrow!"
Location of Newton Falls, Ohio
Coordinates: 41°11′18″N 80°58′41″W[1]
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountyTrumbull
Area
 • Total2.39 sq mi (6.19 km2)
 • Land2.31 sq mi (5.98 km2)
 • Water0.08 sq mi (0.21 km2)
Elevation928 ft (283 m)
Population
 • Total4,795
 • Estimate 
(2019[4])
4,471
 • Density2,075.8/sq mi (801.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
44444
Area code(s)234/330
FIPS code39-55650[5]
Websitehttp://ci.newtonfalls.oh.us/
Water tower and dam in Newton Falls
Map showing location within Trumbull County

The city is known for its ZIP code (44444) and for its covered bridge, which is the second oldest in the state of Ohio.[6]

The city earned its name from the two sets of falls within the village, each on different branches of the Mahoning River.

History

It is believed that early property owners spent time in Newtown, Connecticut before departing for these frontier lands and that the name "Newton Falls" may be a corruption of that eastern locality's name plus this community's falls on the Mahoning River. https://www.newtonfalls.org/index.php/content/newton-falls-newton-township-history It grew in part from factors such as the river and its falls, steel manufacturing, and the proximity of the nearby Ravenna Training and Logistics Site.[7]

On May 31, 1985, an F5 tornado struck the city as part of the 1985 United States-Canadian tornado outbreak, a deadly series of tornadoes that swept through Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario. The tornado that hit Newton Falls was the only F5 in Ohio that day, and damaged most of the downtown, destroying many homes and businesses,[8] and damaging the senior and junior high schools (it destroyed the gymnasium and rendered the junior high unusable). There were between 70 and 80 injuries, and 400 families were left homeless.[9][10] The Ohio Army National Guard credited warning sirens for the lack of fatalities.[9][11]

On July 6, 2012, the city was shaken by a shooting rampage in the East River Gardens apartment complex. Robert Brazzon murdered four people, including a 15-year-old boy, before taking his own life in a city cemetery. He believed his girlfriend was stealing his illegal drugs; he was addicted to opiate pain medication and heroin for years due to his failing health. He had a decades-long criminal history, an obsession with firearms, and was a loner with few friends. Despite being caught earlier with homemade bombs and thousands of illegally-obtained pills in his house, he was never jailed for these offenses, instead taking a plea deal that gave him probation.[12]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.39 square miles (6.19 km2), of which 2.31 square miles (5.98 km2) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.21 km2) is water.[2]

The Mahoning River flows through Newton Falls.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880575—
189069821.4%
19007324.9%
19107573.4%
19201,10045.3%
19303,458214.4%
19403,120−9.8%
19504,45142.7%
19605,03813.2%
19705,3786.7%
19804,960−7.8%
19904,866−1.9%
20005,0022.8%
20104,795−4.1%
2019 (est.)4,471[4]−6.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 5,002 people, 2,171 households, and 1,346 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,193.1 people per square mile (847.1/km2). There were 2,376 housing units at an average density of 1,041.7 per square mile (402.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.10% White, 0.38% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population.

There were 2,171 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the village the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $32,827, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $34,067 versus $21,992 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,039. About 8.1% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.8% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 4,795 people, 2,064 households, and 1,236 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,075.8 inhabitants per square mile (801.5/km2). There were 2,395 housing units at an average density of 1,036.8 per square mile (400.3/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 97.6% White, 0.8% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.

There were 2,064 households, of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.1% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age in the village was 40 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.4% were from 45 to 64; and 17.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

Arts and culture
The village post office, bearing the unusual ZIP code 44444

Covered Bridge

Newton Falls is home to an early 19th-century covered bridge, which was constructed over the Mahoning River in 1831. A walkway was added to the side of the bridge in 1921–1922. In 1985 the bridge was repaired after being damaged by the Niles/Wheatland tornado.[14] In December 2007 the bridge was reopened after a two-year restoration funded by government grants. In July 2009 a delivery truck damaged the bridge and rendered it out of service until repairs could be made. It reopened in 2010.[15] The Newton Falls bridge is considered the second oldest existing covered bridge in Ohio, the oldest covered bridge in use on its original site, the only covered bridge in the state with a covered crosswalk, and the last surviving covered bridge in Trumbull County. Built on the Town Lattice truss plan, the bridge is 123 feet long and twenty-four feet wide. It has a clear span of 101 1/2 feet and a sixteen-foot-wide roadway.[6]

Fourth of July Festivities

The village last celebrated Dicker Days in 1987. It holds the largest Fourth of July Festivities in the county, which have been annual since 1946. The normally sleepy little town brings in up to 40,000 spectators to view the Parade and Fireworks, as well as a week-long carnival with entertainment provided by the Newton Falls Fourth of July Festivities Committee which is made up entirely of volunteers. The committee raises money for the fireworks through a Car Show, Bike Show, and 10,000 Dollar Raffle, in addition to donations.

Government

Township
Main article: Newton Township, Trumbull County, Ohio

The township is governed by a three-member Board of Trustees. Each is elected for a four-year term.[16] The Trustees meet the fourth Monday of each month at the Township Administration Building.

  • Chairman: Peter J. Augusta (Term expires 12/31/2021)[17]
  • Vice-Chairman: John R. Nemet (Term expires 12/31/2023)[17]
  • Trustee: Doreen Lutz (Term expires 12/31/2021)[17]

Village

The village government consists of five elected city councilmen (each representing different wards), an elected mayor (who serves on the council and votes in the event of a tie), and a village manager. The council meets on the first and third Mondays of the month at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the administration building.[18]

  • Village Manager: David M. Lynch[19]
  • Mayor: Ken Kline (Term expires 12/31/2023)[18]
  • Ward 1: Adam Zimmerman[18]
  • Ward 2: John Baryak[18]
  • Ward 3: Tesa Spletzer[18]
  • Ward 4: Sandra Breymaier[18]
  • At-Large: Tarry Alberini[18]

Education
Newton Falls High School

Newton Falls is served by the Newton Falls Exempted Village Schools district. The district operates 3 traditional schools:

Media

Newspapers
  • The Bridge (defunct)
  • The Newton Falls Herald (defunct)
  • The Review
  • The Weekly Villager

Transportation

Major highways

Other highways

The Baltimore & Ohio's Pittsburgh to Chicago main line ran through the town.[20] "The Tower", a historic train station, was demolished in 2011 after suffering extensive damage in a train derailment.[21]

Notable people

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Newton Falls, Ohio
  2. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. "Newton Falls Covered Bridge Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org.
  7. "Newton Falls & Newton Township, Ohio History Archived July 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine". Newton Falls Public Library. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
  8. "DEATH TOLL RISES TO 85 IN TORNADOES IN U.S. AND CANADA". New York Times. New York Times. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  9. Green, Larry (June 2, 1985). "Tornadoes Death Toll Rises to 90 Thousands in Ohio, Pennsylvania Left Homeless in Storms: [Home Edition]". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 292109739.
  10. "Tornado Photos and Video". Retrieved January 31, 2007.
  11. Unknown (June 1, 1985). "Pennsylvania, Ohio and Canada Twisters Kill 45 Hundreds Injured, Devastation is Widespread as Single Storm System Spawns Many Tornadoes:[Home Edition]". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 292150984.
  12. "Newton Falls mass murderer killed family over drug theft". wkbn.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2018.
  13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. "Covered Bridge Archived July 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine". Newton Falls Public Library. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
  15. Runyan, Ed (October 22, 2009). "Covered bridge to stay closed for $57K repairs". The Vindicator. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
  16. "Trumbull County, Newton Township and Village of Newton Falls Data". Newton Township. Archived from the original on July 20, 2016.
  17. "Newton Township - Trustees". Newton Township. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  18. "Mayor and Council". The City of Newton Falls. 2020.
  19. "Administration". City of Newton Falls. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  20. Tylick, Michael (January 1, 2002). "Model Tech's O scale Baltimore & Ohio station wood craftsman kit" (January 2002). Retrieved April 14, 2020. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  21. "CSX derailment near Youngstown forces demolition of tower". BLET. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  22. "Clara Louise Bell". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
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