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CITY

Sparta

Tennessee · 5,038 residents (2025 est.) · 6.723 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 $50,080. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $217,000. With a median age of 46.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 28% less than the Tennessee median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 46.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 63%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,939
+7%since 2000
from 4,599 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
735 / sq mi
+7%since 2000
from 684 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
46.8
+13%since 2000
from 41.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,038 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K5K5K1990201020202024Sparta
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,080
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,775 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,020
+89%since 2000
from $15,340 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
28.6%
+14.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.3%
−7.0 ptssince 2000
from 21.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.452
−9%since 2010
from 0.497 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade21.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information8%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services2.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing1.4%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$217,000
+63%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$731
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $331 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
67.5%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 65.2% in 2000
32.5% rent
Vacancy rate
7.5%
−7.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
27.8%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
15.8%
−31.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.3
+41%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
77
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sparta on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.3%(4,201)
Black5.3%(242)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(53)
Asian0.6%(28)
Other0%
Diversity Score16.8%(774)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.3%(4,360)
Black3.7%(182)
Hispanic / Latino4.7%(232)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.3%(165)
Diversity Score27%(1,334)
Diversity Score
27
+60%since 2000
from 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.2%
+9.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.4%
+30.8 ptssince 2000
from 59.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.8%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.4 min
+63%since 2000
from 10.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
87.8%
+11.8 ptssince 2009
from 75.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.8%
−14.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.0%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.5%
−10.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.8%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 10.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
51.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2011
from 49.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.2%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.2%
−33.3 ptssince 2009
from 65.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.3%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 43.0% in 2009
Female
53.7%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 57.0% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.7%
−35.5 ptssince 2009
from 40.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2012
from 20.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
12.8%
−75.6 ptssince 2013
from 88.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.3%
+33.1 ptssince 2017
from 60.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.1%
−1.8 ptssince 2016
from 99.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Sparta to nearby cities

SPARTA VS
Cookeville
Income$51,375+3%
Home value$305,400+41%
Population38,212+658%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPARTA VS
McMinnville
Income$47,179−6%
Home value$182,200−16%
Population13,943+177%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPARTA VS
Crossville
Income$48,802−3%
Home value$246,300+14%
Population13,113+160%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPARTA VS
Fairfield Glade
Income$71,682+43%
Home value$356,800+64%
Population9,487+88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sparta, Tennessee?

Sparta, Tennessee has about 4,939 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sparta, Tennessee?

The typical household in Sparta, Tennessee earns about $50,080 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sparta, Tennessee expensive?

In Sparta, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $217,000, and the typical rent is about $731 a month.

How educated are people in Sparta, Tennessee?

About 19.2% of adults age 25 and over in Sparta, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sparta, Tennessee?

About 14.3% of people in Sparta, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sparta, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Sparta, Tennessee has grown since 1990. The population has added about 258 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

How we source and harmonize this data →