As of January 1994, the population of Newton was 83,226. Half of the land in the city is devoted to residential use and an impressive twenty percent is open space. It is clear why Newton is called the Garden City. Newton is governed by a Mayor who is elected every four years, a twenty-four member board of alderman and a school committee of eight members. Surrounding communities include Brookline, Needham, Waltham, Watertown and Wellsley.
Newton offers an outstanding, nationally recognized school system.
Eighty five percent of Newton high school graduates go on to higher education. The system is actively involved in expanding the computer curriculum and stresses education in core human values. After-school care for children of working parents is offered in many schools. The city also runs several summer camp programs and a community education program providing weekend and evening learning opportunities for children and adults. Newton also recently completed a modern central library with an impressive reference collection.