City profile · Tennessee · Census ACS 2023

Sparta, TN

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.

4,915
Residents
$43,989
Median income
$200,600
Median home
$992
Median rent (state)

Sparta - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Sparta lands in the 12th percentile for household income and the 25th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

12th
percentile, household income
43rd
percentile, home value
19th
percentile, median rent
25th
percentile, safety
📝 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, TN

Tennessee's Sparta is a small town, with 4,915 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Sparta brings in $43,989 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 8.3%. Sparta's housing stock carries a median value of $200,600, and the median resident age is 40.7 years. Educational attainment runs 15.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 49.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 23 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Growing), up 10% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2373.7 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Tennessee run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Tennessee at 91.9 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $992 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $218 across Tennessee, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 38.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

4,915 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Tennessee

Median Household Income

$43,989 /yr

Poverty 8.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

91.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Tennessee average

How does Sparta compare to other US cities?

Here's how Sparta stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 12% higher than other cities
Home value 43% pricier than other cities
Median rent 19% pricier than other cities
Safety 25% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Tennessee alone, Sparta ranks #125 of 174 Tennessee cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Tennessee-relative analysis

Median Home Value sits close to the middle of Tennessee's city distribution

Among the 455 Tennessee cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Sparta ranks #181 - the 60th 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
#357 of 458
22nd percentile in Tennessee
Median Gross Rent
#267 of 482
43rd percentile in Tennessee
Median Home Value
#181 of 455
60th percentile in Tennessee
Poverty Rate
#276 of 482
42nd percentile in Tennessee
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#266 of 482
45th percentile in Tennessee

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 Tennessee only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

12thIncome percentile
25thSafety percentile

12th percentile nationally for median household income · 25th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sparta's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sparta's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 35 Avg. percentile National median
Sparta's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Sparta's home value compares nationally

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

$200,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 57% 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, TN Sparta, TN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sparta, TN-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, TN median $43,989/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, TN'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, TN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 49.9%

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

Population
4,915
Median Income
$43,989
Median Home Value
$200,600
Median Age
40.7
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Labor force participation
49.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2373.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
122.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2250.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,850 residents4,900 residents4,950 residents5,000 residents5,050 residents5,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,025 residents 5,038 residents ▲ +0.3%
Sparta's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
23
housing units authorized
Single-Family
23
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 21
2020 9
2021 9
2022 9
2023 24
2024 23

Permit volume increased 10% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
93.6%
Carpool
4.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
0.9%
Other
0.7%

Based on 1,998 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Tennessee - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$58
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$218
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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
91.9
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$992/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
38.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Tennessee

Mount Pleasant
4,803 people
Forest Hills
4,802 people
Christiana
4,753 people
Pleasant View
5,111 people
Oak Hill
4,690 people
Whiteville
4,689 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sparta's 4,915 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Elko New Market, MN
4,915 people
Demarest, NJ
4,916 people
Shenandoah, IA
4,913 people
Edwardsville, PA
4,917 people
Tara Hills, CA
4,912 people
Nashville, GA
4,918 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sparta's $43,989 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Green Valley Farms, TX
$43,990 median income
Monroe, GA
$43,991 median income
Franklin, NC
$43,991 median income
Lime Lake, NY
$43,994 median income
Flasher, ND
$43,984 median income
Holiday, FL
$43,996 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sparta, TN 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, TN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.6% White 89.2% Black or African American 5.5% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 4.8% 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 Tennessee 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) 4,915 $43,989
Mount Pleasant 4,803 $49,897
Forest Hills 4,802 $250,001
Christiana 4,753 $94,375
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sparta, TN?

What is the population of Sparta, TN? +

Sparta, TN counts 4,915 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Sparta households earn a median of $43,989 annually, 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 Tennessee state average, a cost of living index of 91.9 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Tennessee vary by metro area.

Is Sparta, TN safe? +

Sparta has a total crime rate of 2373.7 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

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

The median home value in Sparta is $200,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, 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.