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CITY

Sparta

Illinois · 4,022 residents (2025 est.) · 11.156 sq mi
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The short version

Sparta has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $52,188. Population has declined 9% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $111,200. The poverty rate of 24.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 37% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,068
−9%since 2000
from 4,486 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
365 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 402 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.4
+5%since 2000
from 39.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,022 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K5K5K1990201020202024Sparta
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,188
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,139 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,039
+102%since 2000
from $16,343 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
32.6%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 24.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
24.4%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 16.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.439
+14%since 2010
from 0.386 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade22.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information8.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3%
US avg: 1.6%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing1.6%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade1.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services1.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$111,200
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$762
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $390 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
57.6%
−14.6 ptssince 2000
from 72.2% in 2000
42.4% rent
Vacancy rate
13.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
59.1%
+17.5 ptssince 2009
from 41.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.1
+34%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
31
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sparta on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic80.5%(3,610)
Black15.4%(693)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(61)
Asian0.5%(23)
Other0%
Diversity Score37.2%(1,669)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.1%(3,299)
Black13.3%(543)
Hispanic / Latino2%(83)
Asian0.2%(7)
Other3.3%(136)
Diversity Score40.4%(1,642)
Diversity Score
40
+8%since 2000
from 37 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.7%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.2%
+9.7 ptssince 2000
from 82.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.7 min
+23%since 2000
from 15.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.2%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 84.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
1.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
16.3%
+11.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.3%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 8.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.3%
−6.7 ptssince 2011
from 60.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.7%
−24.8 ptssince 2009
from 55.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
Female
54.9%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 56.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.3%
−37.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
28.8%
+15.0 ptssince 2012
from 13.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.5%
−81.6 ptssince 2013
from 87.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.7%
+14.8 ptssince 2017
from 73.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.7%
+2.9 ptssince 2016
from 96.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2016
from 1.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Sparta to nearby cities

SPARTA VS
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Home value$224,900+102%
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SPARTA VS
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Home value$249,500+124%
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SPARTA VS
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Home value$141,300+27%
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SPARTA VS
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Home value$179,700+62%
Population8,593+114%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Sparta, Illinois?

Sparta, Illinois has about 4,068 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sparta, Illinois?

The typical household in Sparta, Illinois earns about $52,188 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sparta, Illinois expensive?

In Sparta, Illinois, the median home is worth about $111,200, and the typical rent is about $762 a month.

How educated are people in Sparta, Illinois?

About 18.7% of adults age 25 and over in Sparta, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sparta, Illinois?

About 24.4% of people in Sparta, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sparta, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Sparta, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 785 residents, a change of about -16 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Sparta, Illinois: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy