Sparta, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sparta, Missouri had a total population of 2,331, the 249th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $63,182, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
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 | 2,378 | 2,331 | -2.0% |
| Median household income | $61,630 | $63,182 | +2.5% |
| Median home value | $167,400 | $181,500 | +8.4% |
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: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sparta Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Christian County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nixa | 24,836 | $83,385 | 7.1% | $258,700 |
| Ozark | 22,417 | $74,182 | 12.6% | $254,800 |
| Clever | 3,030 | $78,366 | 5.9% | $200,000 |
| Fremont Hills | 1,574 | $171,250 | 3.9% | $461,800 |
| Highlandville | 950 | $56,786 | 11.4% | $201,000 |
| Billings | 844 | $47,344 | 20.3% | $174,700 |
| Saddlebrooke | 337 | $107,292 | 2.1% | $654,900 |
| Spokane | 319 | $113,750 | 0.0% | $220,200 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marceline | 2,292 | $63,355 | $96,700 | 19.0% | 19.4% |
| Hermann | 2,290 | $61,979 | $191,300 | 30.0% | 13.5% |
| Concordia | 2,332 | $59,068 | $166,500 | 28.1% | 15.5% |
| Plattsburg | 2,253 | $63,423 | $194,200 | 23.8% | 17.5% |
| Lake Ozark | 2,335 | $74,176 | $278,100 | 39.3% | 18.6% |
Population Overview
Sparta is a small community located in Missouri, within Christian County. The total population is 2,331. It ranks as the 249th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sparta is 37.0 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sparta is $63,182. This is 11% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $181,500. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Sparta is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Sparta has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
12.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sparta, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. 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, Missouri?
Sparta, Missouri has a population of 2,331 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sparta, MO?
The median household income in Sparta is $63,182, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sparta, MO?
The poverty rate in Sparta is 11.9%. This means approximately 273 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sparta, Missouri?
Sparta's population is 94.5% White, 0.0% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sparta, MO?
The median home value in Sparta is $181,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Sparta, Missouri?
12.1% of adults (25+) in Sparta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.