City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Sparta, NC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Sparta - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,957
Residents
$38,542
Median income
$215,800
Median home
$978
Median rent (state)

Sparta - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Sparta places in the 7th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

7th
percentile, household income
47th
percentile, home value
18th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Sparta, NC

1,957 people live in Sparta, North Carolina - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Sparta brings in $38,542 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 16.6%. Sparta's housing stock carries a median value of $215,800, and the median resident age is 44.9 years. 19.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 44.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 52.6°F with 57.1 inches of precipitation per year and 18.6 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts North Carolina at 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $978 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in North Carolina run around $215, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Sparta report an average commute of 11.6 minutes, with 67.5% driving alone and 18.4% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 34.7 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

1,957 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$38,542 /yr

Poverty 16.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Sparta compare to other US cities?

Where Sparta sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 7% higher than other cities
Home value 47% pricier than other cities
Median rent 18% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Sparta against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Carolina-relative analysis

Poverty Rate sits close to the middle of North Carolina's city distribution

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Sparta ranks #205 - the 72nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Sparta only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#601 of 700
14th percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#513 of 746
31st percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#292 of 708
59th percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#205 of 746
72nd percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#421 of 746
43rd percentile in North Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

7thIncome percentile

7th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Sparta's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$215,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 53% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Sparta $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Sparta, NC Sparta, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sparta, NC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Sparta, NC median $38,542/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Sparta, NC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Sparta, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 44.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,957
Median Income
$38,542
Median Home Value
$215,800
Median Age
44.9
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Labor force participation
44.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.7%

Climate

Avg Temperature
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
57.1"
Annual Snowfall
18.6"

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,800 residents1,850 residents1,900 residents1,950 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,831 residents 1,918 residents ▲ +4.8%
Sparta's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
11.6 minutes
Drive Alone
67.5%
Carpool
11.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.7%
Work from Home
18.4%

Based on 713 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Sparta sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$978/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
34.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Broad Creek
1,963 people
Enfield
1,967 people
Andrews
1,976 people
Glen Alpine
1,995 people
Cedar Point
2,005 people
Coats
2,029 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sparta's 1,957 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Sonoma State University, CA
1,957 people
Marcellus, NY
1,957 people
Mountain Lodge Park, NY
1,957 people
Liberty, IN
1,958 people
Humboldt, KS
1,956 people
North Eastham, MA
1,958 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sparta's $38,542 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Cheraw, CO
$38,542 median income
Lewis, KS
$38,563 median income
El Brazil, TX
$38,563 median income
Lake Park, GA
$38,571 median income
Austwell, TX
$38,571 median income
Bolivar, TN
$38,575 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sparta, NC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Sparta, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 81.0% 11.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 14.0% White 81.0% Black or African American 4.3% Asian 1.4% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 11.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Sparta compares to nearby North Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Sparta (this city) 1,957 $38,542
Broad Creek 1,963 $57,545
Enfield 1,967 $22,852
Andrews 1,976 $34,879
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sparta, NC?

What is the population of Sparta, NC? +

Sparta, NC counts 1,957 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Sparta, NC? +

In Sparta, the typical household earns $38,542 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sparta? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Sparta; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Sparta, NC? +

A typical home in Sparta is worth $215,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Sparta? +

Climate normals put Sparta's yearly average temperature at 52.6°F, 57.1 inches of precipitation, and 18.6 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.