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Sparta, KY

Full City Profile · Kentucky · Gallatin County County

3.2 /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 293 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.2 / 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+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Sparta experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 293 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 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)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Geography

Elevation748 ft (228 m)
Area5.9 sq mi (15.2 km²)
Population Density34/sq mi
Coordinates38.6954°N, 84.9061°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyGallatin County County
Nearest AirportCincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG)
28 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.7"
26% above US avg
Wettest Month (May) 4.69"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.87"

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score17.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability57.1 / 100
Community Resilience34.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

17 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.8. Most recent: M2.8 on May 11, 2025.

Jan 27, 1990 6 km N of Alton, Indiana M3.8 144 km
Sep 12, 2004 4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana M3.8 120 km
Feb 19, 1995 8 km SSE of Rocky Fork Point, Ohio M3.6 133 km
Sep 8, 1990 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky M3.3 114 km
Aug 20, 2015 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky M2.8 78 km
Mar 17, 1999 2 km NNE of Ripley, Ohio M2.8 94 km
May 11, 2025 11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky M2.8 107 km
Mar 9, 1990 8 km ENE of New Amsterdam, Indiana M2.7 128 km
Mar 21, 1990 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky M2.7 89 km
Jan 12, 2023 4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky M2.6 106 km
Aug 4, 2023 11 km ENE of Lancaster, Kentucky M2.6 120 km
May 11, 2015 5 km ESE of Maysville, Kentucky M2.6 106 km
Jul 23, 2013 6 km NNE of Germantown, Kentucky M2.6 83 km
Jan 29, 1990 11 km S of Paoli, Indiana M2.6 138 km
Jan 21, 2018 8 km SSE of High Bridge, Kentucky M2.6 106 km
Jan 28, 2024 3 km SW of Old Washington, Kentucky M2.5 94 km
Jan 4, 1999 9 km WNW of Mount Sterling, Kentucky M2.5 102 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

465 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 59 fatalities, 2,154 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Apr 3, 1974 EF5 31 km 3
Mar 2, 2012 EF4 26 km 4
Apr 9, 1999 EF4 75 km 4
May 28, 1996 EF4 95 km 0
Nov 22, 1992 EF4 18 km 1
Jun 2, 1990 EF4 58 km 0
Apr 3, 1974 EF4 73 km 4
Apr 3, 1974 EF4 65 km 2
Apr 3, 1974 EF4 92 km 3
Apr 3, 1974 EF4 85 km 4
Apr 3, 1974 EF4 33 km 0
Apr 3, 1974 EF4 75 km 11
Apr 23, 1968 EF4 71 km 1
Apr 23, 1968 EF4 47 km 6
Mar 2, 2012 EF3 50 km 3
Mar 2, 2012 EF3 60 km 3
Feb 28, 2011 EF3 44 km 0
Oct 18, 2007 EF3 61 km 0
May 27, 2004 EF3 76 km 0
Apr 9, 1999 EF3 49 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: JPG 09 1 (6,113 ac, 1998).

Year Name Acres Distance
1998 JPG 09 1 6,113 49 km
2005 RX BURNPLAN AREA 2-06 5,054 48 km
2007 UNITS 8-9 2008 4,316 49 km
2006 UNIT 19 06 WUI 3,412 48 km
2003 WUI 3 03 3,372 55 km
2010 WUI UNIT 28K 3,230 56 km
1999 UNNAMED 3,122 56 km
2002 UNIT 8 2,753 50 km
2005 UNIT 3 05 2,511 55 km
2001 01 UNIT 16 2,361 46 km
2011 WUI UNITS 0 AND 1 2011 2,215 50 km
2004 UNIT 19 2,004 49 km
2003 UNIT 8 03 1,971 51 km
2008 FY 09 UNIT 42 RX FALL 2008 1,942 53 km
2000 JPG 14 1,908 48 km
2003 UNIT 16 03 1,809 46 km
2002 UNIT 9 1,485 48 km
1995 UNNAMED 1,462 52 km
2010 TRACER 1,408 56 km
2007 UNNAMED 1,334 48 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 29°F (-2°C) 3.0 in Coldest
February 34°F (1°C) 2.9 in Driest
March 44°F (7°C) 4.1 in
April 54°F (12°C) 4.2 in
May 63°F (17°C) 4.7 in Wettest
June 71°F (22°C) 4.4 in
July 74°F (24°C) 4.0 in Warmest
August 74°F (23°C) 3.9 in
September 67°F (20°C) 3.1 in
October 56°F (13°C) 3.1 in
November 45°F (7°C) 3.5 in
December 35°F (2°C) 3.6 in

Sparta has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 29°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (2.9").

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