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Sparta, NC
Town in Alleghany County, North Carolina.
Population
1,928
Land area
2.3sq mi
People per sq mi
821
ZIP codes
0
Sparta and its ZIP codes
Sparta at a glance
- Sparta is about 3.7 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $42,454 a year, 41% less than the North Carolina figure of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $209,600 (27% below North Carolina) and median rent is $563 a month.
Local data for Sparta, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Sparta, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$42,454
Poverty rate
21.5%
Median home value
$209,600
Median rent
$563/mo
Homeownership
58.2%
Bachelor's or higher
21.3%
Median age
51.0
Average commute
15.0 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (320), Mexican Americans (174), Irish Americans (101).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Alleghany County. PPP loans are for Sparta.
Unemployment rate
3.5%
Aug 2026, -0.5 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$46,949
3,404 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$51,809
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$100M
FY 2026, $9,186 per person
How people get to work
Sparta, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone55.4%
- Carpooled19.9%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked1.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home23.7%
Average one-way commute: 15.0 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Sparta, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
330
Countywide, mostly high wind
Flood insurance policies
20
0.2% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
84° / 22°F
57.1 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone1 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Sparta, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
36.2%
U.S. 33.3% +2.9 pts
Diabetes
14.4%
U.S. 12.1% +2.3 pts
Smoking
16.7%
U.S. 12.8% +3.9 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
16.8%
U.S. 11.1% +5.7 pts
Cities near Sparta
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Independence, VATown | 8.8 mi | 2.3 |
| Baywood, VACensus-designated place | 9.9 mi | 3.2 |
| LowgapCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 1.1 |
| Galax, VACity | 15 mi | 8.2 |
| Fries, VATown | 17 mi | 0.6 |
| Stevens Creek, VACensus-designated place | 17 mi | 0.7 |
| Hilltown, VACensus-designated place | 17 mi | 0.6 |
| HaysCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 6.2 |
| MulberryCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 5.1 |
| JeffersonTown | 20 mi | 2.1 |
| Pleasant HillCensus-designated place | 21 mi | 2.6 |
| FairplainsCensus-designated place | 21 mi | 4.2 |
| LansingTown | 22 mi | 0.4 |
| RondaTown | 22 mi | 1.1 |
| West JeffersonTown | 22 mi | 2.2 |
| ElkinTown | 22 mi | 6.8 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Sparta, NC in?
- Sparta is in Alleghany County, North Carolina.
- What is the population of Sparta, NC?
- About 1,928 people live in Sparta, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Sparta?
- Nearby places include Independence, VA (8.8 mi), Baywood, VA (9.9 mi), Lowgap (14 mi), Galax, VA (15 mi), Fries, VA (17 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023