Population 6,657 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Sparta
Household size in Sparta
| Period | Sparta | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.60 | 2.70 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.67 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.05 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.43 | 2.73 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.17 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Sparta run small, averaging 2.43 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.60, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the center and smallest in the east.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Sparta
| Period | Sparta | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.6 | 36.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.4 | 36.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.7 | 38.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.1 | 38.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +7.5 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 47.1, Sparta is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 39.6 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 282 Georgia cities with 5,000+ people, only 15 are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Sparta
| Period | Sparta | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.7% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.4% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.0% | 13.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 18.3% | 13.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −8.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in six households in Sparta (18.3%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 8.5 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Sparta has a higher share of single-parent households than the great majority of Georgia cities.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Sparta
Renters in Sparta
| Period | Sparta | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.4% | 32.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.3% | 35.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 31.7% | 36.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.6% | 34.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Sparta is largely a place of homeowners: only 22.6% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 68.8% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 3.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Sparta
| Period | Sparta | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.4% | 13.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 34.6% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 35.3% | 11.6% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 33.5% | 10.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −7.9 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Sparta: 33.5% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has fallen 7.9 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Sparta
| Period | Sparta | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1976 | 1985 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1987 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Sparta are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1987, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1976 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the east.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Sparta
| Period | Sparta | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $654 | $910 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $691 | $977 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $799 | $1,112 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $894 | $1,520 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$239 | +$609 | +$606 |
The median renter in Sparta pays $894 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $239 a month since 2006–10, up 37%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 50.3% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the center and lowest in the northeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Sparta
Bachelor's degrees in Sparta
| Period | Sparta | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 28.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 28.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 8.9% | 31.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.3% | 35.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Sparta have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 11.3%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has edged up 0.8 points, a smaller shift than nationally. Only ten of the 282 Georgia cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Sparta
| Period | Sparta | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 65.7% | 84.1% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 72.1% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 75.5% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 78.7% | 89.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +12.9 pts | +5.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in five adults in Sparta never finished high school, well above the national share: only 78.7% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 12.9 points, in line with the national trend. Of the 282 Georgia cities with 5,000+ people, only 20 have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Sparta
| Period | Sparta | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.1% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 17.4% | 10.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.0% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.6% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.5 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in Sparta: 6.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 5.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Sparta compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta | 2.43 | 47.1 | 18.3% | 22.6% | 33.5% | 1987 | $894 | 11.3% | 78.7% | 6.6% |
| Devereux | 2.13 | 58.1 | 10.2% | 5.6% | 42.0% | 1992 | $897 | 18.2% | 77.3% | 1.4% |
| Linton | 2.45 | 46.4 | 14.0% | 20.2% | 32.5% | 1984 | $900 | 20.2% | 89.5% | 2.3% |
| Mayfield | 2.52 | 50.1 | 12.1% | 31.3% | 37.6% | 1978 | $882 | 20.3% | 79.8% | 1.4% |
| Rockville | 2.30 | 57.3 | 8.2% | 20.4% | 36.2% | 1999 | $1,433 | 48.1% | 90.2% | 10.7% |
| Jewell | 2.47 | 49.2 | 9.1% | 28.7% | 34.5% | 1980 | $888 | 16.0% | 78.9% | 4.2% |
| Flat Rock | 2.35 | 43.6 | 5.5% | 10.2% | 39.9% | 1996 | $858 | 26.8% | 89.6% | 1.7% |
| Phoenix | 1.81 | 41.6 | 5.4% | 21.7% | 9.1% | 2002 | $1,010 | 35.4% | 92.7% | 2.1% |
| Mitchell | 2.99 | 33.1 | 10.3% | 37.2% | 25.8% | 1989 | $1,076 | 14.4% | 81.7% | 2.7% |
| Eatonton | 2.29 | 47.5 | 8.6% | 19.2% | 18.6% | 1986 | $1,274 | 32.3% | 85.9% | 3.7% |
| Hallwood | 2.07 | 61.9 | 1.6% | 14.4% | 33.3% | 1992 | $1,157 | 19.1% | 82.3% | 4.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Childersburg, AL · Tonopah, AZ · Tompkinsville, KY · Timnath, CO · Timberlake, NC · Three Points, AZ · Terra Bella, CA · Teague, TX · Stormville, NY · East Pasadena, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Sparta. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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