Newton County is a 279-square-mile area east of Atlanta on Interstate 20 in north central Georgia. According to the United States Census Bureau, Newton County had an estimated 105,473 people in 2015. The county seat is Covington, one of five municipalities located entirely within Newton County. The others are Porterdale, Mansfield, Newborn and Oxford. The city of Social Circle is located partially in Newton County and in neighboring Walton County. Newton County government is a regulatory department with the following functions: *Building Permits and Inspections *Development Permits and Inspections *Planning and Zoning *Code Enforcement *Business License *Public Safety *Roads and Drainage *Recreation *Senior Services