Living in Sparta, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sparta · Census data 2020–2024
Sparta has 4,068 residents with a median age of 41.4. The median household income is $52,188 (37% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $111,200, the median rent is $762/month.
Sparta at a glance
- Population
- 4,068
- Median age
- 41.4State: 39
- Median household income
- $52,188State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $111,200State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $762/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 57.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18.7%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Sparta a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 58% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 37% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 6.3%; a poverty rate of 24.4%.
The weather is best in May and August to October.
Cost of living in Sparta
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sparta the median home value is $111,200, 67% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $762 per month, which is 33.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,360 a month in housing costs.
Sparta median household income
The median household income in Sparta is $52,188 and the income per person is $33,039. 24.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Sparta: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,221
- Owner-occupied
- 57.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 42.4%
- Vacant
- 13%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1970
- Average household size
- 2.06
Sparta demographics
- Population
- 4,068
- Median age
- 41.4
- Under 18
- 23%
- 65 and older
- 25.4%
- Households
- 1,932
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 8.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sparta ›
Education in Sparta
18.7% of adults 25 and older in Sparta have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 4.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sparta
- Unemployment rate
- 6.3%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 1.5%
- Drive alone
- 80.2%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.7%
Sparta vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta | 4,068 | $52,188 | $111,200 | $762 |
| Tilden | 762 | $47,857 | $70,300 | $743 |
| Baldwin | 355 | $46,771 | $87,500 | $838 |
| Coulterville | 796 | $48,636 | $82,300 | $822 |
| Marissa | 1,232 | $54,814 | $99,500 | $702 |
| Steeleville | 1,855 | $60,313 | $158,500 | $769 |
| Percy | 921 | $44,015 | $77,200 | $600 |
| Lenzburg | 428 | $42,656 | $77,900 | $669 |
| Evansville | 781 | $65,750 | $88,200 | $791 |
More for people moving to Sparta
Sparta ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sparta: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sparta, IL?
The median household income in Sparta is $52,188, 37% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Sparta?
The median home value in Sparta is $111,200, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Sparta?
The median gross rent in Sparta is $762 per month, about 33.3% of household income.
Is Sparta, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 58% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes. Minuses: median household income 37% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 6.3%; a poverty rate of 24.4%.
What is the median age in Sparta?
The median age in Sparta is 41.4 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Sparta?
The average commute to work in Sparta is 19 minutes; 1.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sparta?
The unemployment rate in Sparta is 6.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sparta?
18.7% of adults in Sparta have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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