Sparta city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Sparta city, Illinois has a total population of 4,070, the 377th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $63,401, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.9% is notably above the national average.
Sparta city Quick Facts
How Sparta city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sparta city Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Cities Similar to Sparta city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sullivan city | 4,253 | $62,845 | $95,600 | 17.4% | 11.6% |
| Paxton city | 4,201 | $60,470 | $116,700 | 21.1% | 9.0% |
| Marseilles city | 4,071 | $56,777 | $119,100 | 21.2% | 16.6% |
| Rosemont village | 4,145 | $69,153 | $403,600 | 21.4% | 5.5% |
| Caseyville village | 4,170 | $57,919 | $94,900 | 10.3% | 17.9% |
Population Overview
Sparta city is a small community located in Illinois. The total population is 4,070. It ranks as the 377th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sparta city is 40.1 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sparta city is $63,401. This is 22% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 19% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.0%. This is 62% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 9.9%. This is 70% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $120,500. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Sparta city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sparta city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.
Education
19.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sparta city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Sparta city, Illinois?
Sparta city, Illinois has a population of 4,070 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sparta city, IL?
The median household income in Sparta city is $63,401, which is 19% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Sparta city, IL?
The poverty rate in Sparta city is 19.0%. This means approximately 755 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sparta city, Illinois?
Sparta city's population is 77.8% White, 13.2% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sparta city, IL?
The median home value in Sparta city is $120,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Sparta city, Illinois?
19.7% of adults (25+) in Sparta city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.