Newport was incorporated as a township in 1790. It is one of the original townships in Luzerne County. The municipality derives its name from Newport, Rhode Island. The first settlement in modern-day Newport Township was established by Major Prince Alden in 1772. A few years later, his sons erected a forge on Nanticoke Creek. One of the first stores in the territory was established by Jacob Ramback; it was constructed on a road between Wanamie and Nanticoke. Due to the growing coal mining industry in the Wyoming Valley, farmers were selling large tracts of land to the coal companies. Even sawmills and gristmills were replaced by coal mines. Alden, Glen Lyon, and Wanamie were just a few of the mining villages in the township. Mine shafts and collieries were constructed throughout the territory.
Boom and bust
At the beginning of the 20th century, Luzerne County was in the midst of an economic boom. Industry, which included manufacturing and coal mining, drew thousands of immigrants to the region. By the mid-20th century, anthracite production was declining at a fairly steady rate. Consumers were gradually switching from coal to other forms of energy. The Knox Mine Disaster was the final blow to the industry. On January 22, 1959, the Susquehanna River broke through the River Slope Mine in Port Griffith, Jenkins Township. The incident claimed twelve lives. In the following months, two of the area's largest coal companies announced a full withdrawal from the anthracite business. Thousands of jobs were lost and the mining industry never recovered in Luzerne County.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of, of which is land and, or 2.49%, is water. Most of the township is forested. It is drained by the Susquehanna River. The northern and southern portions are mountainous. The elevation of Penobscot Mountain reaches above sea level along the township's southern border with Slocum Township. Most of the people live in the basin of Newport Creek, which flows northeast from Glen Lyon to the Susquehanna River. Newport Township consists of the communities of Alden Station, Glen Lyon, Lee, Newport Center, Sheatown, and Wanamie. The State Correctional Institute at Retreat is in a remote area of the municipality. The facility can only be accessed by a bridge over the river from U.S. Route 11 or by helicopter.
Neighboring municipalities
Nanticoke
Hanover Township
Nuangola
Slocum Township
Conyngham Township
Union Township
Hunlock Township
Plymouth Township
Government officials
Township manager: Peter Wanchisen
Commissioners:
* John Zyla — President of Board of Commissioners/Police Dept.
Police: The Newport Township Police Department provides full time police coverage to township residents.
Fire: Fire suppression is provided by the Newport Township Fire Department. The department is a combination department with a paid apparatus operator. The department also provides mutual aid responses to surrounding communities.
EMS: Ambulance service is provided by the Nanticoke Community Ambulance Association, which is located in Nanticoke City. Nanticoke EMS provides residents with both ALS and BLS levels of pre-hospital care.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,006 people, 1,789 households, and 1,118 families residing in the township. The population density was 306.1 people per square mile. There were 2,166 housing units at an average density of 132.4/sq mi. The racial makeup of the township was 90.17% White, 8.57% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.54% from other races, and 0.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population. There were 1,789 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87. In the township the population was spread out, with 16.1% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 127.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 129.6 males. The median income for a household in the township was $32,073, and the median income for a family was $40,987. Males had a median income of $28,466 versus $22,035 for females. The per capita income for the township was $16,930. About 9.3% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.4% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.
