Sparta, KY

Kentucky · Metropolitan Area

Sparta is a small town in Kentucky with a population of 212. Residents earn $43,250 per year, which is 42% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
212 Population 34/sq mi density
$43,250 Median Income $26,642 per capita
$105,700 Home Value $237,556 Zillow
$850 Median Rent 34.2% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$43,250 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$105,700 home value, $850/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,250
42% lower than US avg
Home Value $105,700
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.7%
30% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.1%
42% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.7%
83% higher than US avg

How Sparta Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population212
Median Age36.0 yrs
Density34/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 79%

Economy

C+
Median Income$43,250
Per Capita$26,642
Unemployment5.1%
Poverty22.7%
County GDP$461M
Commute33 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$105,700
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$237,556
Rent Burden34.2%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain47.7 in/yr
Elevation748 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.7%
High School+87.1%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 19%
Commute33 min
Broadband82.0%
EV Stations2
Libraries1

Is Sparta a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sparta receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Sparta offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sparta is $43,250, 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 22.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sparta is $105,700, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Sparta experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Sparta has a population of 212 with a density of 34 people per square mile. The median age is 36.0 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (78.8%), with 1.4% Black.

Population

212
Total Population
34
People / sq mi
36.0yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
6.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.1%
Female 51.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Sparta vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.2%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.8%
19% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sparta vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sparta is $43,250, which is 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 22.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Sparta vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,250
42% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,642
Avg Weekly Wage$1,355
IRS Avg AGI$60,980

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
42% above US avg
Poverty Rate22.7%
83% above US avg
Establishments (County)162
County GDP$461M

Business (County)

Restaurants5
Healthcare6
Retail20
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,778
21% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.6 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Sparta is $105,700, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $237,556.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$105,700
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$237,556

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% below US avg
Rent Burden34.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$719
1 Bedroom$794
2 Bedrooms$984
3 Bedrooms$1,277
4 Bedrooms$1,442

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied74.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,778
21% below US avg
Effective Rate2.63%

Health Metrics: Sparta vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.0%
Premature Death12,177/100K

Food & Exercise

Exercise Access46.5%
Healthcare Facilities6

Crime Rates: Sparta vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Sparta has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.0°F
2% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.7 inches
26% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation748 ft (228 m)
Area6.3 sq mi (16.2 km²)
Population Density34/sq mi
Coordinates38.6954°N, 84.9061°W
County FIPS21077
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (30% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 59.9-point margin. 82.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.4%
D 19.4%

Winner: Republican by 59.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.7%
30% below US avg
High School+87.1%
School Test Score5.50
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density34/sq mi
Total Area6.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access82.0%
EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities6
Restaurants5
Retail Stores20

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.6 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Sparta with another city: