Sparta, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sparta, Illinois had a total population of 4,068, the 374th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $52,188, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Sparta Quick Facts
How Sparta Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,070 | 4,068 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $63,401 | $52,188 | -17.7% |
| Median home value | $120,500 | $111,200 | -7.7% |
How Sparta Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sparta Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Randolph County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 6,797 | $80,625 | 21.6% | $111,700 |
| Red Bud | 3,782 | $71,850 | 4.9% | $171,000 |
| Steeleville | 1,855 | $60,313 | 22.5% | $158,500 |
| Percy | 921 | $44,015 | 15.8% | $77,200 |
| Coulterville | 796 | $48,636 | 12.1% | $82,300 |
| Evansville | 781 | $65,750 | 22.5% | $88,200 |
| Tilden | 762 | $47,857 | 28.7% | $70,300 |
| Prairie du Rocher | 454 | $66,161 | 8.2% | $88,800 |
| Ruma | 394 | $75,000 | 4.6% | $125,600 |
| Ellis Grove | 359 | $82,813 | 5.3% | $78,300 |
Cities Similar to Sparta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelbyville | 4,351 | $52,470 | $116,400 | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| Burnham | 3,937 | $57,790 | $161,300 | 15.1% | 15.7% |
| Caseyville | 4,130 | $60,669 | $96,800 | 11.5% | 14.3% |
| South Chicago Heights | 3,907 | $58,691 | $149,300 | 11.5% | 30.6% |
| Paxton | 4,131 | $62,386 | $120,400 | 19.7% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Sparta is a small community located in Illinois, within Randolph County. The total population is 4,068. It ranks as the 374th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sparta is 41.4 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 11.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sparta is $52,188. This is 37% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.4%. This is 106% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $111,200. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Sparta is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sparta is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
18.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sparta, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Sparta, Illinois?
Sparta, Illinois has a population of 4,068 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sparta, IL?
The median household income in Sparta is $52,188, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sparta, IL?
The poverty rate in Sparta is 24.4%. This means approximately 971 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sparta, Illinois?
Sparta's population is 81.1% White, 13.4% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sparta, IL?
The median home value in Sparta is $111,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Sparta, Illinois?
18.6% of adults (25+) in Sparta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.