Sparta, OH

Ohio · Metropolitan Area

Sparta is a small town in Ohio with a population of 159. Residents earn $66,923 per year, which is 11% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
159 Population 1,767/sq mi density
$66,923 Median Income $25,656 per capita
$88,500 Home Value
$1,196 Median Rent 23.1% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$66,923 median income, 6.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$88,500 home value, $1,196/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $66,923
11% lower than US avg
Home Value $88,500
69% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.6%
74% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,196
3% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.7%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.7%
86% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.6%
15% lower than US avg

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

People

Population159
Median Age33.4 yrs
Density1,767/mi²
Male / Female37% / 63%
Largest GroupWhite 78%
Veterans2.4%

Economy

B
Median Income$66,923
Per Capita$25,656
Unemployment6.7%
Poverty10.6%
County GDP$910M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$88,500
Rent$1,196
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units68
Rent Burden23.1%

Health

Obesity38.7%
Uninsured7.3%
Smoking16.7%
Depression26.2%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain44.2 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,360 ft (415 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.6%
High School+86.0%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute27 min
Broadband58.0%
Libraries5

Is Sparta a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sparta receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, high obesity rates. 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 $66,923, 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.7% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 10.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sparta is $88,500, 69% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,196 per month. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Sparta experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 44.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Sparta has a population of 159 with a density of 1,767 people per square mile. The median age is 33.4 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (78%).

Population

159
Total Population
1,767
People / sq mi
33.4yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
0.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 37.1%
Female 62.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Sparta vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.7%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.3%
83% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sparta vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sparta is $66,923, which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Sparta vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$66,923
11% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,656
Avg Weekly Wage$860
IRS Avg AGI$66,963

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.7%
86% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.6%
15% below US avg
Establishments (County)573
County GDP$910M

Business (County)

Restaurants32
Healthcare34
Retail56
Manufacturing26

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,175
19% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.72%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.0 min
Drive Alone75.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home13.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Sparta is $88,500, 69% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,196 (3% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$88,500
69% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,196
3% above US avg
Rent Burden23.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$816
1 Bedroom$873
2 Bedrooms$1,092
3 Bedrooms$1,388
4 Bedrooms$1,550

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied81.0%
Housing Units68
Median Year Built1945

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,175
19% above US avg
Effective Rate4.72%
In Sparta, 38.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.3% of residents lack health insurance. 16.7% are current smokers. 26.2% report depression. 26.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.7%
21% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure31.9%
Asthma11.0%
COPD7.1%
Cancer7.7%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.7%
19% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.5%
Physical Inactivity26.2%
Depression26.2%
Mental Distress19.0%
Physical Distress13.2%
Short Sleep36.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.4%
Uninsured7.3%
15% below US avg
Checkup Rate77.2%
Dental Visits61.7%
Premature Death9,093/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access31.0%
Healthcare Facilities34
Sparta has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 44.2 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average50.0°F
7% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.2 inches
16% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,360 ft (415 m)
Area0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Population Density1,767/sq mi
Coordinates40.3944°N, 82.6996°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS39117
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 8.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 55.7-point margin. 58.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.5%
D 21.7%

Winner: Republican by 55.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.6%
74% below US avg
High School+86.0%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.90
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,767/sq mi
Total Area0.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access58.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities34
Restaurants32
Retail Stores56

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.0 min
Drive Alone75.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home13.6%

Nearby Cities

Centerburg, OH 1,952 pop · 6.3 mi Fredericktown, OH 2,634 pop · 9.8 mi Mount Vernon, OH 16,802 pop · 11.4 mi Cardington, OH 1,899 pop · 12.5 mi Mount Gilead, OH 2,909 pop · 12.9 mi Ashley, OH 1,455 pop · 13.3 mi Sunbury, OH 7,335 pop · 13.8 mi Galena, OH 1,427 pop · 14.9 mi Gambier, OH 2,064 pop · 16.1 mi Candlewood Lake, OH 1,108 pop · 16.1 mi Johnstown, OH 5,247 pop · 17.0 mi Utica, OH 2,180 pop · 17.4 mi Bellville, OH 2,037 pop · 18.3 mi Apple Valley, OH 5,125 pop · 18.7 mi
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