The city of Newton, North Carolina, is the county seat of Catawba County and was established in 1845. Catawba County has a population of about 155,000 across its eight cities and towns: Hickory, Newton, Conover, Long View, Maiden, Claremont, Catawba, and Brookford. Hickory, the largest city in the county, is less than ten miles away from Newton. The county serves as a regional retail magnet, drawing visitors from surrounding communities for shopping, restaurants, furniture, and automotive needs.
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and with three lakes across some 400 square miles, Catawba County is a contrast to the nearby city of Charlotte, NC. Catawba County is home to Lenoir-Rhyne University (go Bears!), the Hickory Motor Speedway, and Lake Norman, the largest human-made body of water in North Carolina. Many festivals, conferences, and events shape and inspire this community.
The county has several unincorporated communities, including Sherrills Ford, Mountain View, Saint Stephens, and Lake Norman of Catawba. These neighborhoods bring rich traditions and history, including the Neill-Turner-Lester House and the Miles Alexander Sherrill House, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Other places, like the Providence Cotton Mill in Maiden, NC, allow you to connect with the past with your events and celebrations.
