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CITY · 2020 ACS

Sparta

North Carolina · 1,834 residents · 2.349 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 $32,347. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $142,200. The poverty rate of 26.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 43% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,834
+1%since 2000
from 1,817 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
781 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 774 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.0
−3%since 2000
from 44.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K2K1990201020202024Sparta
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,347
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,474 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,389
+43%since 2000
from $14,237 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
8.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
26.4%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 18.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information15.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade13.7%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade9.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services6.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration0.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$142,200
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $76,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$506
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $332 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
49.5%
−6.0 ptssince 2000
from 55.5% in 2000
50.5% rent
Afford Score
4.4
+29%since 2000
from 3.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sparta on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic88.9%(1,615)
Black2%(36)
Hispanic / Latino7.7%(140)
Asian0.6%(10)
Other0%
Diversity Score23.7%(430)
2020
White, non-Hispanic72.5%(1,329)
Black1.9%(35)
Hispanic / Latino21.5%(394)
Asian0.5%(10)
Other3.9%(71)
Diversity Score53.8%(986)
Diversity Score
54
+127%since 2000
from 24 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.8%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 8.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
73.3%
+13.1 ptssince 2000
from 60.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.8%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 2.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.2 min
+29%since 2000
from 14.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
74.8%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 66.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
17.9%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.0%
−9.5 ptssince 2011
from 10.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
50.9%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 53.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
22.8%
−38.9 ptssince 2009
from 61.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 42.3% in 2009
Female
51.2%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.7% in 2009
Foreign born
3.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
13.2%
−61.4 ptssince 2013
from 74.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Sparta to nearby cities

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SPARTA VS
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SPARTA VS
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SPARTA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Sparta, North Carolina?

Sparta, North Carolina has about 1,834 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sparta, North Carolina?

The typical household in Sparta, North Carolina earns about $32,347 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sparta, North Carolina expensive?

In Sparta, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $142,200, and the typical rent is about $506 a month.

How educated are people in Sparta, North Carolina?

About 15.8% of adults age 25 and over in Sparta, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sparta, North Carolina?

About 26.4% of people in Sparta, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sparta, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Sparta, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 123 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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

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