Sparta, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sparta, Michigan had a total population of 4,271, the 199th largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $60,728, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 4,260 | 4,271 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $55,474 | $60,728 | +9.5% |
| Median home value | $190,100 | $215,400 | +13.3% |
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sparta Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Kent County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids | 198,535 | $69,108 | 16.9% | $244,500 |
| Wyoming | 77,353 | $73,677 | 10.5% | $225,200 |
| Kentwood | 54,296 | $74,373 | 10.4% | $268,200 |
| Forest Hills | 28,695 | $158,005 | 3.0% | $498,500 |
| Walker | 25,386 | $76,360 | 7.6% | $295,200 |
| Cutlerville | 18,780 | $67,327 | 10.3% | $222,600 |
| Grandville | 16,356 | $78,442 | 7.3% | $271,300 |
| Northview | 15,268 | $85,403 | 9.1% | $289,300 |
| East Grand Rapids | 11,445 | $166,610 | 3.6% | $521,300 |
| Comstock Park | 10,577 | $59,984 | 11.8% | $235,300 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vandercook Lake | 4,375 | $59,262 | $136,600 | 18.7% | 7.0% |
| Roosevelt Park | 4,144 | $62,857 | $193,300 | 17.8% | 12.1% |
| Buchanan | 4,223 | $56,163 | $154,300 | 13.1% | 7.1% |
| Algonac | 4,139 | $56,820 | $199,500 | 14.7% | 14.5% |
| Hancock | 4,574 | $59,519 | $165,600 | 44.6% | 19.1% |
Population Overview
Sparta is a small community located in Michigan, within Kent County. The total population is 4,271. It ranks as the 199th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sparta is 37.1 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sparta is $60,728. This is 17% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.3%. This is 30% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $215,400. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 76.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sparta has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
23.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sparta, Michigan 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 Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Michigan city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Sparta, Michigan?
Sparta, Michigan has a population of 4,271 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sparta, MI?
The median household income in Sparta is $60,728, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sparta, MI?
The poverty rate in Sparta is 9.3%. This means approximately 396 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sparta, Michigan?
Sparta's population is 91.1% White, 0.2% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sparta, MI?
The median home value in Sparta is $215,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Sparta, Michigan?
23.3% of adults (25+) in Sparta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.